Shame motivates people differently, and it’s not going to solve the obesity problem in America. I agree with Bill Maher when it comes to calling out the perverse “wokeism” around obesity. Obesity is a disease. Adipose tissue produces prodiabetic hormones and pro inflammatory cytokines. It should not be framed as an appearance issue, or even a health issue, since so many people don’t want to be nagged ( criticized ) about their health. It’s really about how do you want to feel. Now. In ten years. Twenty years. Thirty years….

I’m 67, and when I was an adolescent I was overweight. I decided that I did not want to be a fat adult. I changed my diet, much to the chagrin of my mother who thought she was being a good mom by buying me all those tasty potato chips and Twinkies. I exercised more and joined more sports teams. At the time I was motivated largely by shame. Over the years I became more motivated by wanting to feel well for as long as possible. It seems to be working! I now see people my age and younger who look like they feel awful. For an individual it might not be avoidable, but for a society it most certainly is!