# Are fat jokes are back in style? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [July 10, 2003, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-fat-jokes-are-back-in-style/187451 "2003-07-10T13:08:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Mr.Slant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c57346/32.png) [@Mr.Slant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Slant)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2003, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-fat-jokes-are-back-in-style/187451/81 "2003-07-11T20:52:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by UnuMondo \* > \*\*We’ve gone over this in the Pit. > > People offended at fat jokes (usually themselves overweight) complain about the fact that glandular problems cause obesity and thus it is wrong to mock them. But this is total crap, since other countries don’t have an obesity problem like America. It’s our diet, stupid. > > (We did have the obese poster who got closer to the truth, but still whined like she was a poor victim, who said she was “addicted” to fattening foods and shouldn’t be expected to have the willpower to overcome overeating). > > So, as long as the majority of the obese are actually to blame for their obesity, which they should understand is nearly universally sickening in our society, fat jokes can be expected to remain acceptable. > > UnuMondo \*\* As long as we’re on this, lemme remark: A) I’m 5’10 and about 350 lbs B) I can lose weight if I just stop eating too much and exercise. I can do that, but I choose not to. C) This is pure laziness on my part. D) Hey, I know I _can_ lose weight. In 3 weeks on the Atkins diet I lost 21 lbs. ---
**Author:** ![Boo\_Boo\_Foo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@Boo\_Boo\_Foo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boo_Boo_Foo)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2003, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-fat-jokes-are-back-in-style/187451/82 "2003-07-11T23:41:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Avalonian \* > \*\*And it’s _soooo_ much easier to make gross generalizations and cast opinion as fact than to actually learn anything about what makes people obese. I could follow your entire body of posting in this thread, apart from the story about your sister, with a big “Cite?” > \*\* And here’s what I wrote earlier… > [@](#): > > And yet, nowhere on earth will you find so many people proclaiming with total sincerity that they can’t help it… that it’s a glandular problem they suffer from which causes them to gain weight - even if they fast for 6 months… and we should trust them - they did try fasting for six months and they gained 45 pounds! Yes, my post was sarcastic, but it was deadly accurate sarcasm. The stats don’t lie in this instance… the USA has stratospherically higher levels of obese (and chronically overweight) people than any other country on earth. And yet time after time after time, I read lame excuses about how, and why it can all be explained medically as some sort of condition beyond the control of human will power. Also, the USA has incidents of colon cancer and various other diet induced cancers which are totally zero in other places on earth where the shocking mass-prodcution yummy yummy diet of Americans doesn’t exist. My point is this - obviously there are millions of intelligent, disciplined Americans who recognise that a combination of minimal diet and top quality exercise makes for better lifestyle - and they look great for it. But equally true is that there are shitloads, absolute shitloads (roughly 1 in 4 according to Time) who are at least chronically overweight. And the thing is, once you fall into that pattern, it’s a long, long, hard slippery slope to crawl your way out of because your lifestyle habits have ALSO become accustomed to the habits which are conducive to becoming obese. Whenever I hear an obese, or chronically overweight person begin to wax on about all of the psychological reasons, or medical reasons as to why the way they are, all I’m hearing is “blah blah blah blah… this is why I don’t want to do the hard work…” It’s almost reached the stage where the US Federal Goverment should begin to offer tax breaks to men and women who can keep their body fat levels under 14 and 22 per cent respectively. Whilstsoever the USA has giant food corporations who are in the business of shipping high fat, high carbohydrate yummy yummy products which have zero nutrional reasons for existence, the USA will lead the world with this dreadful problem. The strains on your health system are simply mind boggling. ---
**Author:** ![Netbrian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/71e660/32.png) [@Netbrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Netbrian)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2003, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-fat-jokes-are-back-in-style/187451/83 "2003-07-11T23:50:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Chance the Gardener \* > \*\*Okay, then, **netbrain** : what other features are acceptable for people to insult other people about? \*\* First off, my name is Netbr **ia** n. Everyone makes that error, but I’ve had this handle for so long, I don’t want to change it. Second off, I think it really depends on whom you are hanging out with. Most of my life, I’ve lived in groups where fat jokes are considered unacceptable, and at times I’ve had the misfortune to be in groups where racial/religious bigotry disguised as humor is just fine. But I would generally say that socioeconomic status is a big one here, especially the aforementioned “white trash”. I also must add that people whom think that somehow liberals are more acceptable to insult than conservatives or vice versa are deluding themselves. ---
**Author:** ![Largo62](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/45deac/32.png) [@Largo62](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Largo62)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2003, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-fat-jokes-are-back-in-style/187451/84 "2003-07-12T00:08:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Boo Boo Foo \* > **Yes, my post was sarcastic, but it was deadly accurate sarcasm.** Accurate schmaccurate! The OP asked whether fat jokes were in style. That many people are fat is not in question. _Why_ they are fat is also not the question. The question is whether insensitive people set the “style” of humor and whether it’s okay to deride and mock people who are different from yourself. ---
**Author:** ![Avalonian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee7513/32.png) [@Avalonian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avalonian)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2003, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-fat-jokes-are-back-in-style/187451/85 "2003-07-12T00:18:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Boo Boo Foo \* > **My point is this - obviously there are millions of intelligent, disciplined Americans who recognise that a combination of minimal diet and top quality exercise makes for better lifestyle - and they look great for it. But equally true is that there are shitloads, absolute shitloads (roughly 1 in 4 according to Time) who are at least chronically overweight. And the thing is, once you fall into that pattern, it’s a long, long, hard slippery slope to crawl your way out of because your lifestyle habits have ALSO become accustomed to the habits which are conducive to becoming obese.** No disagreement here, **Boo Boo Foo** , as I’ve come to the same conclusion as you have myself. I don’t have a problem with anything you say. In fact, I’m a bit overweight myself, but a better diet and more activity over the last few months has shown a fairly significant improvement, and I’m pretty happy about it. I’m wondering why you responded to my comments, which were actually directed at **Hank Fescue** ’s snide attitude and not yours. I don’t disagree with the meat of what you say, but when it’s presented in a “get off your lazy ass” manner as **Hank** has, it becomes offensive, insulting, and far less meaningful. It becomes an example of the anti-fat prejudice (disgust) that the OP brings up. That’s me trying to haul the topic somewhat back to the OP. See, to me what’s wrong with Coulter’s words in the interview and what’s wrong with **Hank** ’s are the same thing. It’s the _way_ it’s spoken about, and the context. A constructive way to bring up the issue (obesity) is vastly different from an insulting way (“you’re lazy, get off your fat ass!”). The issue is important, but derision is not a way to solve it, and frankly, it’s detrimental. Those who choose to say that they’re trying to help while using such language are flat-out lying to attempt, badly, to cover up their own disgust at fat people. I look at it no differently than any other form of prejudiced language. It’s the difference between calling someone a “homosexual” or calling them a “fag.” Some would say there’s no difference, but those people are often the ones who are prejudiced against the subject that the label describes. Note that I’m not implying homosexuality is a “problem” to be solved as obesity is… simply a similarity of language usage. “Homosexual” is a fairly neutral descriptor. “Fag” is generally not. The words you use make a difference. Prejudice against fat people is still going strong and has been for a most of my lifetime, in the form of “fat jokes” as well as derisive language. If you’re honestly trying to help someone who is overweight, trust me, cutting them down another few notches by making fun of them is _not_ the way to do it. And again, that’s not directed at **Boo Boo Foo** or **Juanita** so much as it’s directed at **Hank** and his ilk, who seem to think that insulting the objects of their disgust will inspire them to change. ---
**Author:** ![Boo\_Boo\_Foo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@Boo\_Boo\_Foo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boo_Boo_Foo)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2003, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-fat-jokes-are-back-in-style/187451/86 "2003-07-12T00:25:56Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by DesertGeezer \* > \*\*Accurate schmaccurate! The OP asked whether fat jokes were in style. That many people are fat is not in question. _Why_ they are fat is also not the question. The question is whether insensitive people set the “style” of humor and whether it’s okay to deride and mock people who are different from yourself. \*\* And who, pray tell, was the very first person who responded in this thread? Myself… precisely in the tone which your righteous post suggested. More importantly, your analysis of the OP is self serving at best. There were many political overtones in **december’s** OP - as is often his style. Threads wander… you’ll cope. ---
**Author:** ![Boo\_Boo\_Foo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@Boo\_Boo\_Foo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boo_Boo_Foo)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2003, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-fat-jokes-are-back-in-style/187451/87 "2003-07-12T00:31:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Avalonian \* > **In fact, I’m a bit overweight myself, but a better diet and more activity over the last few months has shown a fairly significant improvement, and I’m pretty happy about it.** Best of luck to you **Avalonian** - remember, it works best if you can do it every day… the body kinda stays in a permanent “on alert” status that way. Being a very keen cyclist, I’m in a bind - nothing dampens my spirits more than riding in the rain - it’s winter down here and it’s dangerous in traffic in the wet. But we’ve had a bad drought these past 12 months, so the rain is welcome. As I said, nothing works as well as doing “some exercise” 7 days a week if possible. ---
**Author:** ![Avalonian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee7513/32.png) [@Avalonian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avalonian)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2003, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-fat-jokes-are-back-in-style/187451/88 "2003-07-12T00:35:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Boo Boo Foo \* > **Being a very keen cyclist, I’m in a bind - nothing dampens my spirits more than riding in the rain - it’s winter down here and it’s dangerous in traffic in the wet. But we’ve had a bad drought these past 12 months, so the rain is welcome.** Same problem here… I love riding, but 8 months out of the year we can count on rain more often than sun. This time of the year is great, but starting in September or so it gets a lot more difficult. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Boo Boo Foo \* > \*\*As I said, nothing works as well as doing “some exercise” 7 days a week if possible. \*\* Thanks… I know it’s true. Just a bit harder to get inspired when the activity isn’t something I enjoy. Riding a stationary bike just isn’t nearly the same, you know? ---
**Author:** ![Blonde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Blonde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blonde)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2003, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-fat-jokes-are-back-in-style/187451/89 "2003-07-12T00:43:27Z")
Quote by Avalonian: It’s the difference between calling someone a “homosexual” or calling them a “fag.” I overheard a teenager (black girl) at my gym loudly proclaiming to her buddies that someone was “the biggest fag” - she said the word twice, and I ALMOST confronted her. I wanted to ask her if she understand how harsh the word was - but abandoned the idea, figuring she was just young and stupid, and wouldn’t comprehend that the word is close to being the equivalent of the “n” word. Plus, it would have been embarassing to get my ass kicked by a pack of teenage girls. But, what’s the PC word for “fat”? “Overweight”? “Obese”? Those might be slightly less insulting, but not by much, IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![Avalonian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee7513/32.png) [@Avalonian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avalonian)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2003, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-fat-jokes-are-back-in-style/187451/90 "2003-07-12T00:46:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Blonde \* > \*\*But, what’s the PC word for “fat”? “Overweight”? “Obese”? Those might be slightly less insulting, but not by much, IMHO. \*\* I’m not alking about PC, **Blonde**. Simply polite. And yes, saying someone is overweight is far more polite, in my opinion, than saying they are lazy and should just get off their fat ass. YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![Boo\_Boo\_Foo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@Boo\_Boo\_Foo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boo_Boo_Foo)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2003, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-fat-jokes-are-back-in-style/187451/91 "2003-07-12T01:10:39Z")
Yeah, well, that’s the key - isn’t it? It’s all about delivery… You can still have very strong opinions which disagree diametrically with someone else’s - but still be civil about it. Personally, I’m happy to talk about the syndrome in a third person sense but I make it policy to never, ever mention somebody’s physical attributes in a one on one manner. Nor, for that matter, their sexual lifestyle choices either. I’ve found over the years that it’s a policy which has saved me an awful lot of angst. ---
**Author:** ![Hank\_Fescue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/49beb7/32.png) [@Hank\_Fescue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hank_Fescue)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2003, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-fat-jokes-are-back-in-style/187451/92 "2003-07-12T04:43:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Avalonian \* > \*\* > That’s me trying to haul the topic somewhat back to the OP. See, to me what’s wrong with Coulter’s words in the interview and what’s wrong with **Hank** ’s are the same thing. It’s the _way_ it’s spoken about, and the context. A constructive way to bring up the issue (obesity) is vastly different from an insulting way (“you’re lazy, get off your fat ass!”). The issue is important, but derision is not a way to solve it, and frankly, it’s detrimental. > > Those who choose to say that they’re trying to help while using such language are flat-out lying to attempt, badly, to cover up their own disgust at fat people. I look at it no differently than any other form of prejudiced language. It’s the difference between calling someone a “homosexual” or calling them a “fag.” Some would say there’s no difference, but those people are often the ones who are prejudiced against the subject that the label describes. > > Note that I’m not implying homosexuality is a “problem” to be solved as obesity is… simply a similarity of language usage. “Homosexual” is a fairly neutral descriptor. “Fag” is generally not. The words you use make a difference. > > Prejudice against fat people is still going strong and has been for a most of my lifetime, in the form of “fat jokes” as well as derisive language. If you’re honestly trying to help someone who is overweight, trust me, cutting them down another few notches by making fun of them is _not_ the way to do it. > > And again, that’s not directed at **Boo Boo Foo** or **Juanita** so much as it’s directed at **Hank** and his ilk, who seem to think that insulting the objects of their disgust will inspire them to change. \*\* I am certainly not trying to change anyone or inspire anyone to change, just satisfying my sense of humor while watching the fat man satisfy himself at the buffet. If you are happy to be a fat, lazy, slob be my guest. I won’t be showing any sympathy or tap dancing around you lazy feelings. As far as the Coulter remarks, I don’t think Hillary is fat and certainly not obese. I actually think she is a healthy, attractive lady. But fat jokes ? Let me get this straight, you won’t alter you gluttonous eating and lazy lifestyle so I should have to alter my sense of humor ? That is BS. ---
**Author:** ![Avalonian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee7513/32.png) [@Avalonian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avalonian)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2003, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-fat-jokes-are-back-in-style/187451/93 "2003-07-12T05:33:18Z")
Thanks again, **Hank** , m’lad… I couldn’t have asked for a better proof that anti-fat prejudice is still alive and well. Cheers! ---
**Author:** ![Hank\_Fescue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/49beb7/32.png) [@Hank\_Fescue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hank_Fescue)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2003, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-fat-jokes-are-back-in-style/187451/94 "2003-07-12T05:50:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Avalonian \* > **And it’s _soooo_ much easier to make gross generalizations and cast opinion as fact than to actually learn anything about what makes people obese. I could follow your entire body of posting in this thread, apart from the story about your sister, with a big "Cite?"** How many do you want ? > [@](#): > > Through all of the muck and mire, an astounding 54 percent of the American public is either obese or overweight. [http://www.aoa-net.org/Consumers/livelong.htm](http://www.aoa-net.org/Consumers/livelong.htm) > [@](#): > > One-fifth of Americans are considered obese, up from 12% nine years ago in 1991. Obesity among children is also growing, and the CDC has labeled the phenomenon an “epidemic.” > **[Obesity In America](https://www.forbes.com/2002/11/20/cx_da_1120obesity.html)** > > Americans are overweight, and consumers are paying billions in an effort to reverse the tide. > [@](#): > > Physical inactivity and being overweight account for more than 300,000 premature deaths annually in the U.S., second only to tobacco-related deaths. [http://www.cnn.com/2000/HEALTH/mayo/10/05/obesity.america/](http://www.cnn.com/2000/HEALTH/mayo/10/05/obesity.america/) > [@](#): > > In a 1998 survey by Inforum, 100,000 adults were asked whether their physicians had recommended a diet to them. Of those who said yes, 81 percent didn’t follow it completely. The top reason? Lack of motivation. > **[Where Society Failed, Can Health Plans Succeed? - Managedcaremag.com](https://www.managedcaremag.com/archives/0003/0003.obesity.html)** > > Inhaltsverzeichnis Anzeigen 1 By engaging patients and forming strategic alliances, plans can gain immediate cost and clinical benefits — despite conventional wisdom to the contrary. 2 Did somebody say McDonald’s? 3 Personal responsibility 4 Moving... The bottom line is, Americans have become fat and lazy. The worst part is, when asked, they say they _don’t care_. So it doesn’t bother you that you are increasing your risk of all kinds of disease, contributuing to an already over taxed medical system, creating a poor example for our children and you don’t care if being fat is stylish or not. But you do care whether or not fat jokes are stylish ? All I can say is take a flying leap. > [@](#): > > \*\*And this has what to do with the topic at hand? > > Actually… thanks, **Hank**. You prove my original point in this thread that, contrary to what the OP believes, fat-bashing and prejudice against overweight people has never gone out of style. You are a shining example of what I was talking about. Well done. > > _golf clap_ \*\* Why thank you. I try. ---
**Author:** ![Mockingbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c68b51/32.png) [@Mockingbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mockingbird)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2003, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-fat-jokes-are-back-in-style/187451/95 "2003-07-12T05:51:18Z")
I’ve never seen them go out of style. ---
**Author:** ![Ms2001](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ms2001/32/18463_2.png) [@Ms2001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms2001)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2003, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-fat-jokes-are-back-in-style/187451/96 "2003-07-12T06:14:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Chance the Gardener \* > **what other features are acceptable for people to insult other people about?** Age. ---
**Author:** ![Paco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a6a055/32.png) [@Paco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paco)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2003, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-fat-jokes-are-back-in-style/187451/97 "2003-07-12T19:50:39Z")
To be honest I used to make fun of (internally, never out loud) obese people, but when I went to college this past year I gained about 15 pounds. I wouldn’t have considered myself overweight (6’2 and 195 pounds) but it is really convenient to just eat that cheeseburger or bag of chips. For instance, in my college they have racks of cupcakes and candy and over in the corner they have a small bowl off assorted fruit. When I was put in those shoes it wasn’t nearly as easy as I thought it would be. I have been eating right and have lost about 10 pounds, but just at Wal-Mart the other day I was hungry and looking for something to eat. When you see aisles upon aisles of chips and candy, etc. you want that. It’s hard not to. I had the willpower to leave the store or I would have walked out with chips and candy, but for some people it isn’t that easy. I guess that post really had no point other than to tell you that yes it is a matter of willpower, but what comes easy for you isn’t so easy to others. ---
**Author:** ![Cuckoorex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Cuckoorex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cuckoorex)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2003, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-fat-jokes-are-back-in-style/187451/98 "2003-07-12T21:37:08Z")
Hank, are you trying to convince me that a single anecdote about your sister is sufficient to identify the underlying cause of her overeating and lack of exercise? I’m _not_ arguing that lack of exercise and poor diet are the primary physical contributors to obesity; what I said was: “I suspect that any attempts to blame morbid obesity **on any one factor** like glandular problems, genetics, laziness, psychological problems, or poor nutrition **alone** may by overly simplistic.” Perhaps it would have been more useful for me to say “any attempt to treat morbid obesity without considering all of the possible contributing factors involved may be inadequate.” For your sister and for many other people, lack of motivation may be the primary underlying factor, but is it the only factor? I’ll give you an isolated anecdote in the spirit of fair exchange: I met a girl a few years ago who was once morbidly obese; I’ll call her Dawn. She was sexually abused as a child by her stepfather and she determined through years of therapy that she was using food as a comfort whenever she felt particularly stressed, and that this pattern began when she was 12, shortly after she was abused by her stepfather. Dawn was already shy and became more withdrawn as she gained weight, and eventually became so disgusted with herself that she began skipping school to avoid being around other kids, who teased her unmercifully. This stressed her out more, and so she handled it the only way that she had really learned; she ate more. Needless to say, she continued to gain weight. The more weight she gained, the worse she felt about being around other people, and the more she withdrew from social situations, the more she became stressed and ate to deal with it. Now, at this point I’d like to ask you; what kind of treatment would you suggest for Dawn? What kind of advice would you offer? “Get off your lazy ass, put down the chips, and go for a hike?” Yeah, I’m sure that’s all she really needed to hear; all this while, the solution was out there, but Hank, you weren’t around to impart this wisdom! So instead, she had to settle for a therapist when she was in college. Now, the therapist, apparently being unaware of Hank’s simple and easy solution, decided that Dawn needed to find other ways to handle stress, and it was during her therapy that Dawn revealed the details of her abuse. Eventually through hard work and two years of therapy, Dawn learned how to cope with stress without turning to food, and she was finally in a position to make long-term changes in her life to address her weight problem. By the time I met her three years after her epiphany, Dawn had lost a lot of weight; she looked kind of ‘thick’, but wasn’t at a weight that most people would describe as ‘obese’. I saw her ‘before’ pictures. I listened to her tell her story. I’ve known her for three years now, and she still has times when she feels a relapse coming on and needs to employ methods she learned in therapy to keep from overeating in response to stress. The point of the anecdote is to give an example of someone who was able to overcome her weight problem who used diet and exercise to achieve her goals, _but needed to address deeper psychological issues first._ Without addressing those issues, the chances of success for her were practically nil, because she didn’t have the tools to control her own behavior. Believe it or not, some people have more difficulty than others when it comes to changing their behavior. That’s pretty much all I was saying before; yes, she needed to eat better and get more exercise, but that was only a part of the solution. Get it? ---
**Author:** ![CadburyAngel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c2a13f/32.png) [@CadburyAngel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CadburyAngel)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2003, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-fat-jokes-are-back-in-style/187451/99 "2003-07-12T22:51:42Z")
I’m staying out of this except to note that in the title “Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot,” I was always more under the impression that “big” and “fat” were intensifiers to “idiot” rather than independent adjectives describing Rush. For instance, consider “My Big Fat Greek Wedding,” or usage like, “I got a big fat paycheck yesterday.” (I wish.) Rush could have been 20 pounds underweight and the title would not have been wildly inappropriate. ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2003, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-fat-jokes-are-back-in-style/187451/100 "2003-07-12T23:04:42Z")
Speaking of Al Franken’s book _Rush Limbaugh Is a Big Fat Idiot_, I wonder if Hank was offended by the reference to _idiots_… Just curious about something. Do any of you think that anorexia is a matter of a lack of will power to eat? Should they just sit their overactive butts down in a chair and stuff their faces with meat, fish poulltry, veggies, fruits, grains, etc.? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-fat-jokes-are-back-in-style/187451.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-fat-jokes-are-back-in-style/187451.md?page=6)