Changes

{{cquote|One dominant argument in the fat activist literature concerns the issue of personal responsibility for fatness. Many fat activist writers contend that fat embodiment is not a 'lifestyle choice', as is generally presented by the anti-obesity perspective, but rather a product of a combination of genetic and other physiological factors which work together to ensure that their bodies are very efficient at storing fat tissue. Fatness is therefore represented as an inherent physical attribute, like gender, skin colour, race or sexual orientation. These writers assert that fat people are not fat because they eat more than others or exercise less, or in any other way behave in a self-indulgent, greedy or lazy manner (Burgard et al. 2009; Wann 2009). Thus, for example, Wann contends that 'Plenty of people think that I choose to be fat' and goes on to seek to prove that her fat embodiment is not her choice at all. She asserts that the current dominant belief that body weight is a product of personal choice about lifestyle is 'a big, fat lie'.<ref>''Fat'' by Deborah Lupton, page 83</ref>}}

{{cquote|One dominant argument in the fat activist literature concerns the issue of personal responsibility for fatness. Many fat activist writers contend that fat embodiment is not a 'lifestyle choice', as is generally presented by the anti-obesity perspective, but rather a product of a combination of genetic and other physiological factors which work together to ensure that their bodies are very efficient at storing fat tissue. Fatness is therefore represented as an inherent physical attribute, like gender, skin colour, race or sexual orientation. These writers assert that fat people are not fat because they eat more than others or exercise less, or in any other way behave in a self-indulgent, greedy or lazy manner (Burgard et al. 2009; Wann 2009). Thus, for example, Wann contends that 'Plenty of people think that I choose to be fat' and goes on to seek to prove that her fat embodiment is not her choice at all. She asserts that the current dominant belief that body weight is a product of personal choice about lifestyle is 'a big, fat lie'.<ref>''Fat'' by Deborah Lupton, page 83</ref>}}

=== Genetics of an individual generally plays a small role ===

=== Genetics of an individual generally plays a small role in obesity ===

Although many people attempt to excuse away their overweight condition on their [[genetics|genetic]] makeup rather than exercise self-discipline when it comes to their diet and exercise habits, according to the [[Harvard University]] School of Public Health, most people can maintain a healthy weight through the establishment of healthy habits and maintaining an environment conducive to good health (emptying their refrigerator and cupboards of junk foods, etc.).<ref>[http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/obesity-prevention-source/obesity-causes/genes-and-obesity/ Obesity - Genes are not destiny]</ref>

Although many people attempt to excuse away their overweight condition on their [[genetics|genetic]] makeup rather than exercise self-discipline when it comes to their diet and exercise habits, according to the [[Harvard University]] School of Public Health, most people can maintain a healthy weight through the establishment of healthy habits and maintaining an environment conducive to good health (emptying their refrigerator and cupboards of junk foods, etc.).<ref>[http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/obesity-prevention-source/obesity-causes/genes-and-obesity/ Obesity - Genes are not destiny]</ref>