Weight and Health Assumptions People Make

Last month, plus size model Tess Holliday posted an Instagram video of her Uber driver criticizing her weight and health. The driver who happens to also be overweight, asks her “What about your cholesterol?” She tells him multiple times that she is healthy and he seems to be in shock. While it was absolutely disrespectful and hypocritical of him to ask her that, it poses the question: Why do people automatically assume people are unhealthy when they are overweight?

Skinny Doesn\’t Mean Good Health

I’ve seen diagrams of fat people, filled with junk food standing next to skinny people filled with fruits and vegetables. Despite what you may think, being overweight DOES NOT mean people sit around all day eating junk. Just like being skinny does not mean someone lives a fit, healthy lifestyle. There are fat people, myself for example, that follow a healthy plant-based lifestyle, and try to workout often. Just like there are skinny people that smoke, eat junk all day, and do not workout. It is unfair that society does not question a skinny person\’s health, but feels entitled to insert it\’s two cents when the person is fat. Health is not one size fits all.     

The only person who has the qualifications to criticize your health is your doctor. Schedule an annual appointment with your physician. Request a blood test to make sure there aren’t any other issues. Find a nutritionist in your area if you are concerned about your eating habits. Try to get 30 minutes a day of activity. Drink water and try to eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables per day. Those are guidelines that apply to people of any shape, weight, or size. Ultimately, weight is not an indicator of health or beauty. Don’t assume someone is unhealthy if they are fat because when you assume, you make an ass of yourself.