Dear Dad,
Sometimes provocative statements are worth pausing to ponder.
Think about this one I read this week about the “Body Positivity Deception”:
The rise of “body positivity” has twisted the concept of self-acceptance into glorifying unhealthy lifestyles. Obesity, once recognized as a serious health risk, is now celebrated as an alternative version of health, all under the guise of promoting self-love.
This dangerous narrative not only normalizes life-threatening conditions but discourages individuals from taking responsibility for their health, ultimately benefiting industries that profit from illness, such as big pharma and the processed food sector.”
What do you think?
What I think is that two things can be true at once. You should learn to love your body and understand that your appearance does not effect your self worth AND understand that carrying extra body weight is a comorbidity for almost all, if not all, diseases that cause early deaths in humans.
It’s not easy in a culture that puts appearance on a pedestal, but it’s important for your mental and physical health.
Think about it. No objective person would disagree that smoking is unhealthy, but smoking doesn’t make anyone an unworthy. Smoking increases the risk for most deadly diseases, is highly addictive, and is backed by industries who want more smokers; same as overeating. The main difference is the visual effects of smoking cannot be seen by the naked eye (destroyed lungs) while the effects of consistent eating can be (obesity).
In the same way that you’re not going to degrade a smoker for their habit but you may take a loved one aside and ask help you can help them quit smoking…think the same way about food and obesity.
If you disagree or have something to add comment below. There’s a lot on the line.
With Love,
JSR
