LETTER: Put emphasis on solutions

Editor,

Recently, I have become interested in elements of a healthful lifestyle such as exercise and a nutritious diet. I have pursued this topic to prevent health and weight problems and to promote a good self-image of myself.

Wednesday I picked up a copy of The Statesman. My interest was piqued when I saw a caption on the front page referring to an article on Page 5 that was to address the problem of overeating. I turned to the article in the hopes of finding some useful advice on how to maintain a healthy diet. Unfortunately, the featured article used negative tactics and stereotypes to try to address the epidemic of obesity.

The first thing I noticed when I turned to Page 5 was a picture of an overweight male. This man was eating a hamburger and spilling sauce all over the place. He also had a large, hairy beer belly that was not covered by his shirt. The picture seemed to give off the message, “Obese people are slobs.”

The main article on Page 5 carried on where the photo left off. The author of the article works as a server during the summer. She recounted a tale of a man whom ate a very large meal. When the man finished his meal she whispered to a co-worker, “I think he’s full now.” I could hear the disgust dripping from her voice. To distance herself from such revolting behavior the author stated, “I would be full at least after the salad or soup.”

The crowning jewel of the article was when the author called overweight individuals “lazy.” Name-calling and negative labels rarely help motivate people to conquer a problem. A study of the frequency of eating disorders helps illuminate the fruits of such methods.

The end of the article suggested a few tips to avoid overeating at restaurants. However, by that time it was too little, too late. Hopefully, in the future we can provide support and suggest positive solutions to a serious and sensitive problem.

Jay Larsen