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Do you think fat people are less intelligent than thin/'average' people?

ZenyaZenya member
in Parenting

per elise's experience below.  I have heard it before and wonder if it's conscious or not.

personally, I think people look down on me a little now that I am FRUMPY.  And also I carried myself with more confidence when I was thin. 

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Re: Do you think fat people are less intelligent than thin/'average' people?

  • summerbrideDCsummerbrideDC

    I voted SS b/c I know some very heavy people who are FAR more intelligent than me in many ways.  But I do question the judgment of SOME very heavy people, when I know them personally, know their story & know that they are making unhealthy decisions for themselves/their family, etc.  I guess it depends on what type of "intelligence" you're talking about.  

    That being said, I know some naturally thin people who are dumber than dirt, so I would never in a million years believe there is some link b/t weight & IQ.  

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  • EliseB0323EliseB0323

    I doubt very many people would admit that they think fat people are less intelligent, and I don't think this is conscious thinking for most people. But I do think that some people are uncomfortable interacting with morbidly obese people. I was honestly surprised at how differently I was treated when I lost a bunch of weight. It's not just people asking my opinion or following my recommendations at work, so much as it is people holding the door for me going into stores or striking up a friendly conversation in a checkout line or in the gym. When I walk down the hallway at work, more people I don't know say hello, or make eye contact than before. It's nice, but it does take some getting used to.

    It was like I was invisible when I was fatter (which is kind of ironic, considering I took up much more space) and now people actually notice me. So, perhaps people don't consider fat people less intelligent, it's that they just don't consider them.

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  • lollitotslollitots member

    I've never heard of this and it has never even crossed my mind to wonder if they were intelligent or not. It has crossed my mind to wonder at what point does a seriously obese person say enough, but not that they are not smart. What I have heard is that they are lazy. I don't think I am on that boat either, but would be curious to see that poll.

    Proud Mommy to Kaylie 12-04, Alaina 5-06 & Annalise 6-08 imageimage
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  • AnnapolisLariAnnapolisLari member

    I have a ton of weight to lose and I don't think it's that at all.

    The media and marketing has so convinced people that 'thin is better/prettier/smarter' that even people who are only slightly overweight believe it. People who are ashamed of themselves look down, away or have very closed off body language.

    I may be a cow, but I make eye contact and smile at everyone I pass. I get smiles in return, because I am not averting my eyes because I am ashamed of who I am. Of course people aren't going to make eye contact if you're not even trying to do the same.

    AKA KnittyB*tch
    DS - December 2006
    DD - December 2008

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  • EdithBouvierBealeEdithBouvierBeale

    hmm.

    interesting,.

    i don't know.

    Im all kinds of overweight, but I am pretty smart..

    but I have never been motivated- ever.

    so, there's that.

    I think sometimes very motivated people are mistaken for very intelligent people- when really they are just accomploished. and I DO think very overweight people are frequently less accomplished- in general- not to say no overweight person is an accomplished person...

    but.

    yeah.

    there.

    I guess I feel like my weight problems are very much an effect of my not being motivated or driven.

    but you know, like I said, Im thuper thmart,

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  • EliseB0323EliseB0323
    imageAnnapolisLari:

    I have a ton of weight to lose and I don't think it's that at all.

    The media and marketing has so convinced people that 'thin is better/prettier/smarter' that even people who are only slightly overweight believe it. People who are ashamed of themselves look down, away or have very closed off body language.

    I may be a cow, but I make eye contact and smile at everyone I pass. I get smiles in return, because I am not averting my eyes because I am ashamed of who I am. Of course people aren't going to make eye contact if you're not even trying to do the same.

    Lari -- you are no where in the realm of mobidly obese. As I gained weight, there seemed to be a line that I crossed where people stopped making eye contact, and actually started talking over me in group conversations. Most people who are overweight are still within what the general population sees as "normal." I think I am in that "normal" group now, even though I am still overweight.

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  • ZenyaZenya member

    imageEliseB0323:
    I do think that some people are uncomfortable interacting with morbidly obese people.

    I'll admit I would be uncomfortable around someone who was super-morbidly obese.  Like on that show 'heavy' or whatever.  Crane removing them from the bedroom type stuff.  But not that I think they're stupid or anything.  Just maybe that they are wearing their addiction on their proverbial sleeve?  IDK.   

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  • EliseB0323EliseB0323
    imageZenya:

    imageEliseB0323:
    I do think that some people are uncomfortable interacting with morbidly obese people.

    I'll admit I would be uncomfortable around someone who was super-morbidly obese.  Like on that show 'heavy' or whatever.  Crane removing them from the bedroom type stuff.  But not that I think they're stupid or anything.  Just maybe that they are wearing their addiction on their proverbial sleeve?  IDK.   

    Honestly -- I was in a clothing store this past weekend and one of the salespeople was a morbidly obese woman. She was very sweet and helpful and had a great sense of humor. But she was so overweight that she was panting and sweating and trying to catch her breath as she was hanging up clothes. And I admit that I felt uncomfortable around her and wanted to shop on my own rather than have her help me. Would I consciously say I didn't want her to help me? No -- but there you have it.

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  • wildfloweragainwildfloweragain member
    Well, when people I know who are very fat and can't figure out why they have all these health problems....sort of makes me want to smack some sense into them.
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  • A-baybrideA-baybride
    imageEliseB0323:

    I doubt very many people would admit that they think fat people are less intelligent, and I don't think this is conscious thinking for most people. But I do think that some people are uncomfortable interacting with morbidly obese people. I was honestly surprised at how differently I was treated when I lost a bunch of weight. It's not just people asking my opinion or following my recommendations at work, so much as it is people holding the door for me going into stores or striking up a friendly conversation in a checkout line or in the gym. When I walk down the hallway at work, more people I don't know say hello, or make eye contact than before. It's nice, but it does take some getting used to.

    It was like I was invisible when I was fatter (which is kind of ironic, considering I took up much more space) and now people actually notice me. So, perhaps people don't consider fat people less intelligent, it's that they just don't consider them.

    I think that people avoid eye contact because they're afraid of being perceived as staring.  People do the same thing with people that are physically handicapped as well.  And of course if you're avoiding eye contact, then you're less likely to strike up a random conversation. 

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  • EdithBouvierBealeEdithBouvierBeale
    imageA-baybride:
    imageEliseB0323:

    I doubt very many people would admit that they think fat people are less intelligent, and I don't think this is conscious thinking for most people. But I do think that some people are uncomfortable interacting with morbidly obese people. I was honestly surprised at how differently I was treated when I lost a bunch of weight. It's not just people asking my opinion or following my recommendations at work, so much as it is people holding the door for me going into stores or striking up a friendly conversation in a checkout line or in the gym. When I walk down the hallway at work, more people I don't know say hello, or make eye contact than before. It's nice, but it does take some getting used to.

    It was like I was invisible when I was fatter (which is kind of ironic, considering I took up much more space) and now people actually notice me. So, perhaps people don't consider fat people less intelligent, it's that they just don't consider them.

    I think that people avoid eye contact because they're afraid of being perceived as staring.  People do the same thing with people that are physically handicapped as well.  And of course if you're avoiding eye contact, then you're less likely to strike up a random conversation. 

    LOL. I swear I thought this was going to say "they're afraid of being eaten, and I lol'd in advance.

    then I was disappointed.

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