General Chat

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.

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.

THE OFFICIAL FIGURES
60% of adults are overweight and 26% are obese
28% of children are overweight and 15% are obese
Obesity surgery on NHS has risen by 40% in the last year

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.

"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 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?

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.

Often the assumption is that overweight people have lost their self-control. That frightens society because there is so much emphasis on being slim, "

Hi Rose
My god what is this world coming to we never had all this cr **p years ago
No im not a fattist
I believe whatever shape, size, colour you are we are all human beings
and should treat each other with respect

Pollypoppet , I think I am giving up reading the news, on the front of paper in A*da I saw the headline about thugs who killed a puppy... I don't know what is wrong with people...so much anger ( and this from a fairly 'angry' person myself , but there just seems to be a move towards 'destruction' generally )

no problem with the fatties its the ugly ones ***********************

Hi Rose
I agree this world seems to be getting a horrible place to live in i blame a lot of it on drugs
Things that people do i just cant understand why they would do it
i believe in national service for the kids of today who cant or wont get a job maybe it would teach them some respect and morals wouldnt do them any harm

Whacks Monty with my broomstick ( told you I was angry lol) I can't help being fat and ugly ...but I have a very sweet disposition lol

I don't know what the answer is Pollypoppet, I was in the cafe and a nice couple were asking me which was the hot water machine, where to get the sugar etc...they were very 'mild mannered' , meek even...and I wonder if that is something to do with it? that those who are most 'strident' are now paid more attention to and so think they can do what they like?

xx

Dread to think what this place will be like in 10 yrs time someone has to get a grip and sort it out
Rose My mum was telling me the other day about an old man in his 70s who lives near to them his wife died and the day of the funeral he buried his wife and he had laid on sandwiches and drink at the british legion for everyone afterwards anyway he decided to walk home instead of getting a taxi he wasnt drunk or anything and on his way home some youths if you can call them that jumped him and gave him a kicking and stole all his money how awful is that
it makes my blood boil

Awful Pollypoppet , but sadly I am less surprised than I would have been once :(

I know what you mean Rose its becoming the normal
its just very sad