Friday, September 19, 2008

So what if me and the colonel know each other on a first name basis?

Obesity. It's a serious problem in this country. It's almost a world-wide epidemic. 

Now, that being said, it's bad enough to be called 'obese', but then why do doctors, lawmakers, and other people need to sub-classify some people as 'morbidly obese'? Either you're obese or you're not. Do we really need to attach scary adverbs like morbidly? It makes the person feel like they are not only fat, but part of a freaky haunted house at a bad halloween party. Guess what?! That fat isn't a halloween costume, and this isn't a Stephen King novel. Saying morbidly obese is just uncaring. 

So I think we should reclassify these people in a more PC way. 

Perhaps saying they are 'weight impaired'. Or, maybe 'the more blessedly obese'. Or 'the reason we have good NFL lineman'.

5 comments:

squirrelyearl said...

You're going PC on me. That's too bad.

Can't deny "morbidly obese" does sound a bit cruel though. Wonder if it was meant as a scare tactic to frighten them out of their obesity.

Michael Powers said...

Satire Scott...satire.

squirrelyearl said...

Whew... Glad to hear it. Had me really scared for a moment :)

Unknown said...

Satire and all... I thought that 'morbidly' was added because they were in danger of dying. as opposed to those that are just obese... and unhealthy? what would really be the difference if they are claiming that being overweight is bad for your health?

Michael Powers said...

But is dying really morbid? And, are all people in this category in risk of death? I'd say most people are in risk of death. The moment we start breathing we're living, but on our way to our ultimate demise. Some are quicker than others, but c'est la vie.

The definition for morbid is:
mor·bid
Pronunciation:
\mȯr-bəd\
Function:
adjective
Etymology:
Latin morbidus diseased, from morbus disease
Date:
1656
1 a: of, relating to, or characteristic of disease b: affected with or induced by disease c: productive of disease
2: abnormally susceptible to or characterized by gloomy or unwholesome feelings
3: grisly , gruesome

So they are being called 1. diseased or 2. characterized by gloomy or unwholesome feelings or 3. grisly, or gruesome

My thoughts are - is it really that bad? And, does calling them morbid hurt or help?