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| Why are fat people abused? | Why are fat people abused? |
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| Shouted at, spat at and even attacked, overweight people are campaigning for laws to protect them. Why is "fattism" seen by many as an acceptable prejudice? | Shouted at, spat at and even attacked, overweight people are campaigning for laws to protect them. Why is "fattism" seen by many as an acceptable prejudice? |
| "You big fat pig" is all Marsha Coupe heard before she was kicked in the face. | "You big fat pig" is all Marsha Coupe heard before she was kicked in the face. |
| The 53-year-old businesswoman says she was sitting in an almost empty train carriage in the early evening when she was kicked, punched and shouted at for taking up two seats. | The 53-year-old businesswoman says she was sitting in an almost empty train carriage in the early evening when she was kicked, punched and shouted at for taking up two seats. |
| Her attacker was pulled off by another passenger and restrained, but got off at the next stop before the police arrived. | Her attacker was pulled off by another passenger and restrained, but got off at the next stop before the police arrived. |
| THE OFFICIAL FIGURES 60% of adults are overweight and 26% are obese28% of children are overweight and 15% are obeseObesity surgery on NHS has risen by 40% in the last year60% of men, 50% of women and 25% of children will be obese by 2050 if no action is taken Source: Department of Health | THE OFFICIAL FIGURES 60% of adults are overweight and 26% are obese28% of children are overweight and 15% are obeseObesity surgery on NHS has risen by 40% in the last year60% of men, 50% of women and 25% of children will be obese by 2050 if no action is taken Source: Department of Health |
| It might surprise some people that the person doing the kicking was a middle-aged woman, who was also travelling alone. But it might not stun those who are already significantly overweight. | It might surprise some people that the person doing the kicking was a middle-aged woman, who was also travelling alone. But it might not stun those who are already significantly overweight. |
| "Fat people are fair game for everyone," says Ms Coupe, who weighs 22 stone (139kg). "Yes, I've had beer cans thrown at me by youngsters, but the abuse doesn't just come from the obvious places. | "Fat people are fair game for everyone," says Ms Coupe, who weighs 22 stone (139kg). "Yes, I've had beer cans thrown at me by youngsters, but the abuse doesn't just come from the obvious places. |
| "The normal rules about behaviour, respect and common courtesy don't apply to us." | "The normal rules about behaviour, respect and common courtesy don't apply to us." |
| The rise of what could be called "fattism" is being met with a backlash from those who are affected, triggering a nascent rights movement. | The rise of what could be called "fattism" is being met with a backlash from those who are affected, triggering a nascent rights movement. |
| The unprovoked attack was not an isolated incident, say weight equality campaigners. And when it comes to verbal attacks, they are part of daily life for some of the overweight. From people commenting on the contents of their shopping trolleys to shouting abuse at them in the street. | The unprovoked attack was not an isolated incident, say weight equality campaigners. And when it comes to verbal attacks, they are part of daily life for some of the overweight. From people commenting on the contents of their shopping trolleys to shouting abuse at them in the street. |
| Why are many folk so intolerant of fat people? Discrimination on other grounds widely frowned upon, so why is weight different? | Why are many folk so intolerant of fat people? Discrimination on other grounds widely frowned upon, so why is weight different? |
| It all comes down to control, says Susie Orbach, psychologist and author of Fat is a Feminist Issue. She believes the prejudice runs through our society. | It all comes down to control, says Susie Orbach, psychologist and author of Fat is a Feminist Issue. She believes the prejudice runs through our society. |
| 'True aggression' | 'True aggression' |
| Often the assumption is that overweight people have lost their self-control. That frightens society because there is so much emphasis on being slim, she says. | Often the assumption is that overweight people have lost their self-control. That frightens society because there is so much emphasis on being slim, she says. |
| "Often it's not the larger person's excess weight that is the problem, it's the other people's obsession with being thin. | "Often it's not the larger person's excess weight that is the problem, it's the other people's obsession with being thin. |
| "Most people want to be slim, but this perceived physical perfection is difficult to hold on to and they fear losing control of it. Women and men can be on diets their whole lives and it's utterly miserable. | "Most people want to be slim, but this perceived physical perfection is difficult to hold on to and they fear losing control of it. Women and men can be on diets their whole lives and it's utterly miserable. |
| "They project that fear and unhappiness on to people who are bigger and that often translates into abuse and attacks. It's a way of people disassociating themselves from what they fear the most - getting fat." | "They project that fear and unhappiness on to people who are bigger and that often translates into abuse and attacks. It's a way of people disassociating themselves from what they fear the most - getting fat." |
| Marsha Coupe was left with 40 bruises | Marsha Coupe was left with 40 bruises |
| Psychologist Ros Taylor agrees. "There is true aggression towards overweight people and it comes down to fear and a complete lack of understanding of the issue. | Psychologist Ros Taylor agrees. "There is true aggression towards overweight people and it comes down to fear and a complete lack of understanding of the issue. |
| "People think 'I can control what I put in my mouth so why can't they'. But we're not all the same, we don't all start from the same point." | "People think 'I can control what I put in my mouth so why can't they'. But we're not all the same, we don't all start from the same point." |
| The perception that excess weight is largely down to a lack of self-control annoys many overweight people. They say it results in them being associated with laziness and greed, neither of which people like. | The perception that excess weight is largely down to a lack of self-control annoys many overweight people. They say it results in them being associated with laziness and greed, neither of which people like. |
| "I'm a qualified fitness trainer and healthier than a lot of my slimmer friends, but all these people see is that I'm larger and jump to conclusions," says Kathryn Szrodecki, who is 18 stone (114kg) and campaigns on behalf of overweight people. | "I'm a qualified fitness trainer and healthier than a lot of my slimmer friends, but all these people see is that I'm larger and jump to conclusions," says Kathryn Szrodecki, who is 18 stone (114kg) and campaigns on behalf of overweight people. |
| Guilty | Guilty |
| "We're simply not all built to be slim, our genetic make-ups are all different." | "We're simply not all built to be slim, our genetic make-ups are all different." |
| Another reason for people's intolerance is the "mass-moral outrage" whipped up by the media and the government over the issue of weight, say campaigners. | Another reason for people's intolerance is the "mass-moral outrage" whipped up by the media and the government over the issue of weight, say campaigners. |
| They question much of the information and "scare stories" surrounding increasing obesity, but they don't doubt the everyday consequences of them for larger people. | They question much of the information and "scare stories" surrounding increasing obesity, but they don't doubt the everyday consequences of them for larger people. |
| Campaigners say some larger people are happy with their size | Campaigners say some larger people are happy with their size |
| "The government and the press have created an atmosphere where people think they have a legitimate right to go up to an overweight person and tell them how to live their lives," says Ms Coupe. | |
| "To them we are all the anonymous pictures of fat people they see in the papers and are the cause of all society's ills, as well as a drain on the NHS. We deserve what we get. We're not people with feelings." | "To them we are all the anonymous pictures of fat people they see in the papers and are the cause of all society's ills, as well as a drain on the NHS. We deserve what we get. We're not people with feelings." |
| Some health professionals agree the handling of the obesity issue has increased negative attitudes towards fat people. | Some health professionals agree the handling of the obesity issue has increased negative attitudes towards fat people. |
| "It's created a huge social stigma," says Dr Ian Campbell, a specialist at the Overweight Clinic at University Hospital in Nottingham and honorary medical director of the charity Weight Concern. | "It's created a huge social stigma," says Dr Ian Campbell, a specialist at the Overweight Clinic at University Hospital in Nottingham and honorary medical director of the charity Weight Concern. |
| "The result is the people who need the most help don't seek it. They are left feeling guilty and undeserving." | "The result is the people who need the most help don't seek it. They are left feeling guilty and undeserving." |
| Campaigners agree, saying the constant bashing fat people receive in the press and in their everyday lives makes them stay in doors and retreat from society. | Campaigners agree, saying the constant bashing fat people receive in the press and in their everyday lives makes them stay in doors and retreat from society. |
| Undesirable | Undesirable |
| But the issue of control also throws up other questions. Can people control their dislike of fat people? | But the issue of control also throws up other questions. Can people control their dislike of fat people? |
| In some ways no, says Dr Campbell. Research has repeatedly shown that people respond positively to what they think are good looks and negatively to undesirable features - like extra weight. | In some ways no, says Dr Campbell. Research has repeatedly shown that people respond positively to what they think are good looks and negatively to undesirable features - like extra weight. |
| "It's innate in people to dislike what they see as a lack of attractiveness," he says. "It makes them think such people are worthy of derision. Very young kids have been shown to have a bias against their overweight peers." | "It's innate in people to dislike what they see as a lack of attractiveness," he says. "It makes them think such people are worthy of derision. Very young kids have been shown to have a bias against their overweight peers." |
| One study in America found attitudes towards overweight people are more negative than other types of stigma often seized on by children, such as wearing glasses or having a physical disability. | |
| That doesn't mean they can't control their actions toward overweight people. But the more fat people are portrayed as social pariahs, the more justified people feel in attacking them. | That doesn't mean they can't control their actions toward overweight people. But the more fat people are portrayed as social pariahs, the more justified people feel in attacking them. |
| "Society's increasing hatred of fat and obsession with thin is creating appalling prejudice," says Ms Orbach. "It is allowing people to feel justified about abusing fat people. | "Society's increasing hatred of fat and obsession with thin is creating appalling prejudice," says Ms Orbach. "It is allowing people to feel justified about abusing fat people. |
| "Every overweight person has become the person we must not be." | "Every overweight person has become the person we must not be." |
| Ms Coupe says the pressure to be thin is the only reason she can think of for her attack. | Ms Coupe says the pressure to be thin is the only reason she can think of for her attack. |
| "I can only imagine this woman did what she did because she has been on a diet for most of her life and resents it. She probably hated me because I have accepted my weight and am happy with it." | "I can only imagine this woman did what she did because she has been on a diet for most of her life and resents it. She probably hated me because I have accepted my weight and am happy with it." |
| Add your comments on this story, using the form below. | Add your comments on this story, using the form below. |
| I am ashamed of my reaction to obese people. I take great care over my health. I avoid high fat and high calorie foods, rarely eat meat, rarely drink alcohol and take regular exercise. I cost the NHS very little thanks to this. I get very angry when I see obese people sitting on a train eating a 1200 calorie meal; and my tax money pays for their lack of care of themselves. I'd never abuse someone, there's no excuse for verbal or physical abuse, but I do feel there is a lack of fairness there.Robert Sanford, London | |
| In my opinion fattism is the last form of open "acceptable prejudice". I have always been big, in school I was always picked on, when I left college I found it extremely difficult to find a job, and a few times openly dismissed with out actually getting the interview, even though i had turned up. I'm not and never have been extremely fat and I have always played football as well as other sports (and won leagues and prizes). a little while ago i lost 4st (20>16Stone) by cycling to work and sensible eating. Not long after I went for a job interview and successfully got my dream job, unfortunately I know this wouldn't have happen if I was still 20st.Barry, London | |
| To physically attack or verbally abuse someone for being overweight is self-evidently outrageous and unacceptable. On the other hand, I'm dubious about the increasing implication that over-weight is merely a terrible affliction visited upon some people at random, who have no responsibility whatever for their predicament. As usual the truth it seems to me is between these extremes: that genetic variability will indeed produce widely different weight outcomes in people with identical eating and exercise habits; and that taking personal control over the type and amount of food consumed, and ensuring proper exercise, will keep the vast majority of us safe from obesity. I'm also a little bit cynical about the sudden rash of people who are apparently both fat and "qualified fitness trainer[s] and healthier than a lot of my slimmer friends".Stephen Brown, London, UK | |
| First and foremost, anyone committing a felony needs to be caught and punished by our legal system. Any victims of such thuggish attacks have my full sympathy regardless of their weight, sex, colour or religion. Back to the more interesting point of: "Why is "fattism" seen by many as an acceptable prejudice?" Being obese is not healthy. The health risks associated with being obese are already costing the NHS a tremendous amount of money and this amount is going to continue to rise. Adding to this is the amount of additional money the NHS has to spend on accommodating obese people (such as: "bariatric" ambulances, widening doors, strengthening trolleys and hoists, reinforced beds, extra-wide electric wheelchairs, etc). I condemn any abuse or violence that the obese receive but obese people cannot just assume that the more healthy members of the population should just accept that it is OK to get yourself into such a poor physical state.Dave, Cardiff | |
| We all need to be aware of the benefits of healthy eating and exercise. However the financially poorer members of our society often lack the money to eat healthily (I'm thinking of people without cooking facilities in social service B&Bs forced to buy convenience food etc to survive) also many people work so hard physically doing several menial jobs for minimum wages that they are too exhausted to exercise during their non-working hours. Finally, the government did the state schoolchildren of today and future generations a gross misservice when they sold off all those state school playing fields for profit, they will never be replaced. On the same point the Tory inspired in-service training days for teachers and all the compulsory additional hours prevented hundreds of teachers doing their regular, voluntary out of hours activities with schoolchildren including team and individual sports. I know because I'm a retired teacher who used to spend all my free time doing unpaid, voluntary outdoor pursuits eg swimming, sailing, canoeing, caving, life-saving, abseiling etc etc with children and organising outdoor pursuits and cultural holidays in GB and abroad for them. Maggie Cainen, Swansea Wales | |
| It is truly awful that this woman was attacked, because it is a portrayal of how ignorant our modern society has become. There are many reasons as to why people put on excess weight, e.g, medication, thyroid problems. It is not down to greed, but with the media focus being on thin people, the public never gets to hear, or understand the plights of larger people who are, it seems, "on the wrong side of normal".Carmel, Leeds, UK | |
| I don't hate fat people, I feel slightly sorry for the massively over weight as they clearly have psychological or physical problems that have led to their condition. But then I'm not someone who would go around shouting at or attacking people in the streets anyway because I don't need to affirm myself worth at the expense of others. Still not sure legislation is the answer as it may make it impossible to suggest to anyone that they might want to lose weight. Besides we have too much legislation already telling people what they can and can't say.Colin, London | |
| This is so unacceptable - no-one should be abused for any reason but other groups within society are protected by law. For overweight people however things are very different, not only are they not protected but the government's appalling attitude to people with weight issues is an encouragement to those in society who want to find someone to abuse. I am so fed up of government interference in the lives of the public that I started a Facebook group.Dawn, West Yorkshire | |
| Obesity, arthritis, heart disease, cancer, fatty liver disease, gout, sleep apnoea... I look at a fat person and I think it's wrong - we aren't naturally that size - there weren't 22 stone women 10,000 years ago! I do not think people should be abused at all for being overweight but over-eating and being overweight shouldn't be ok, and should be viewed the same as under-eating and being too thin. Fat people - you do not have to eat so much, if you are overweight your body is telling you that you are giving it too much food. You wont die if you eat a little les but you might if you don't.Les, Edinburgh | |
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