"A different language is a different vision of life." ~Federico Fellini
January 15, 2012 5:57 AM   Subscribe

Is 'obesity' a dirty word ? Tough talk.
posted by Fizz (4 comments total)

This post was deleted for the following reason: Several different articles that all say the same thing, topped off by a OpEd that somehow puts it all together with racism? Not a great post for a difficult subject. -- taz



 
I was going to say that this post is rather thin, but some people might object.
posted by twoleftfeet at 6:05 AM on January 15, 2012 [2 favorites]


None of us fat folk have mirrors? REALLY?
posted by St. Alia of the Bunnies at 6:22 AM on January 15, 2012


The example given by the researcher - "You are 10 lbs overweight" - is ridiculous. No one would tell that hypothetical person he was obese as 10 lbs over doesn't fit the definition of obese. Oberweight, yes, but not obese. What is one supposed to tell a patient who is 300 lbs? Give us that example, Ms. Vogel.

I need to go and read the article itself. Publishing in Obesity that we shouldn't use the term "obese" ... I don't get it. Need to ask my colleagues what they think of it.
posted by caution live frogs at 6:23 AM on January 15, 2012


It is not shocking to me that patients prefer not to be called fat or obese by an authority figure with whom they are supposed to share a trusting relationship, such as a doctor. Of course that shuts down dialogue--it's hurtful, it creates and reinforces shame. It makes a whole lot of sense to approach a conversation like that with empathy, getting a patient to engage. I think that last link misses the point entirely. It's not about having your speech limited, it's about recognizing the potential of empathy and language in a doctor patient relationship.
posted by Lieber Frau at 6:23 AM on January 15, 2012 [2 favorites]


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