World Obesity Day: How do people around the world see fat people?

May 11th is World Obesity Day, as designated by the World Health Organization. Some might ask, isn't the obesity problem on our planet serious enough to warrant a specific day dedicated to promoting "weight loss"? Actually, there are quite a few overweight people on Earth.

According to a foreign study spanning 40 years, the number of obese people worldwide has exceeded the number of slim people. The research shows that between 1975 and 2014, the global obese population increased from 105 million to 641 million. The global obesity rate for men rose from 3.2% to 10.8%, more than doubling, while the rate for women increased from 6.4% to 14.9%, more than doubling as well. At this rate, the planet will soon be "occupied" by the overweight.

Additionally, this study made a significant discovery: China has surpassed the United States to become the country with the most obese people in the world!

Top 10 Global Obesity Rates

Source: Foreign Media

With the global obesity "epidemic" being severe, most countries are affected. However, while obesity is the same, overweight people are treated very differently in different countries and places!

Treatment for Overweight People in Different Places

1. In some places, overweight people can only suffer

Japan – Being excessively obese is illegal

When the author learned that obesity is illegal in Japan, they felt like all these years of living were in vain. In 2008, Japan legally stipulated that men over 40 must have a waist circumference of no more than 85 centimeters, and women no more than 90 centimeters. Those who exceeded the limit had to undergo health education. Some local governments or private companies that were not proactive in promoting weight loss could even be fined.

United States – Overweight people earn lower wages

A study by Vanderbilt University in the United States found that obesity affects employees' salaries. When a woman is overweight, she is less likely to get a high-paying white-collar job. Statistics also show that overweight people earn 4.5% less than normal employees and have a lower wage growth rate by 6%.

Denmark – Imposing a "fat tax"

We know that business requires taxes, and personal income requires taxes, but have you heard of a "fat tax"? However, don't misunderstand, this fat tax is not directly levied on overweight people but rather on foods that contribute to obesity. Since 2011, Denmark has become the first country in the world to impose a "fat tax." Now, the UK is also calling for the imposition of a "fat tax."

European Union – Obesity can be considered a disability

The European Court of Justice once proposed that if an employee becomes unable to complete their work due to mobility issues or sudden illness caused by obesity, it would be permissible for the employer to consider obesity as a deficiency.

2. In some places, overweight people can only indulge

Kingdom of Tonga – The fatter, the more beautiful

Tonga is a small island located in the southwest Pacific. The country's aesthetic standards for body shape are somewhat similar to that of our Tang Dynasty. In this country, "thin" is considered ugly, while "fat" is a form of beauty. Regardless of age or gender, the fatter, the more beautiful.

Bodi Tribe in Ethiopia – Overweight people are revered as heroes

The Bodi Tribe in Ethiopia considers fatness beautiful and holds regular ceremonies to select the fattest person, who is then regarded as a hero. Becoming the "most overweight person" is a dream for many children.

United Kingdom – Overweight people can receive subsidies and are provided with special large-sized graves

In the UK, some excessively overweight people not only don't have to work but can also receive government subsidies. It is reported that the UK invests over 9 billion pounds annually in health facilities related to national obesity.

Additionally, the UK government has also set up "large-sized" graves for overweight people, providing them with a "good place" to be buried. However, these graves are larger than ordinary graves and require additional fees.

A certain village in Phuket, Thailand – Overweight women are waited on hand and foot

This village considers fatness beautiful, and overweight women generally find good partners, while slim women find it difficult to marry. Moreover, unlike the generally male-dominated families, the overweight women are the "empresses" of the household. Men do the laundry and cooking for them, while they only have to wait on hand and foot.

After seeing the treatment of overweight people in different places, Nine Girls had a moment—just a moment—of regret for growing up in a place where thinness is considered beautiful. However, when you think about it, although being overweight is not wrong, and there is no beauty or ugliness, being overweight still poses a significant threat to human health.

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