Skinny Does NOT Mean Anorexic

Weight seems to be a big issue for many people, especially women. Many women want to lose weight whether it's for personal reasons or health reasons. They often compare themselves to model and actresses they see on television or wish they had so and so's figure. To achieve these weight loss goals, some diet and exercise, some join health clubs, others watch what they eat by joining programs like Weight Watchers. Perhaps you're still carrying the weight from one or more pregnancies and all you want is your old figure back. There's nothing wrong with wanting to lose weight. There is something wrong when people start judging other people based on their weight. Not to excuse the many people who talk about overweight people and make jokes about them because they are WRONG, but there are also people who talk about and make jokes about skinny people and that is just as WRONG.

People assume that just because someone is thin that they should be happy with their weight and have no reason to complain about it. The thin person is supposedly lucky that they can eat whatever they want without gaining any weight or that they can fit into those smaller sizes and comfortable try on clothes when they go shopping. Just because someone is thin, people think it's ok for them to make comments about that person's weight. It's ok to call a skinny, bones, lil bit, or some other name in reference to their size. However, if one was to say these things about an overweight person's weight or size and call them names in reference to their weight it would be considered mean, hurtful, and cruel. The truth is, it is mean, hurtful, and cruel. But that doesn't just apply to those who are overweight, it applies to those who aren't too. Maybe the stigma of it only being wrong of mocking an overweight person's size comes from the idea that being overweight can stem from a health problem. However, being skinny can also stem from a health problem. People with diseases such as HIV/AIDs, diabetes, anorexia, thyroid problems, digestive disorders, cancer, or other illnesses can suffer from weight loss that leaves them thin or underweight.

Some people throw the word anorexic around like it's some sort of a joke. In reference to a skinny woman, I've seen others look at her petite frame and exclaim such things as "Eww, you look anorexic," or "Do you eat? You're too bony." Those comments and others like it are totally inappropriate. To comment on someone's weight in general is inappropriate. Not only do you not know the reason for their size be it genetics or an illness, if you don't want someone commenting on your weight, you shouldn't do it to others.

Let's look at some of the illnesses that can cause weight loss and the reasons why every thin person isn't necessarily happy with their size.

HIV/AIDs: Although not everyone who is infected with HIV or AIDs appears sick or has any outward symptoms, these diseases attack the immune system which affects the whole body. In some cases, during a time of a crisis that can lead to hospitalization or from the affects of the disease and medications over time, some people who are infected lose a lot of weight. They are not anorexic, they are sick.

Diabetes: Most people think of diabetes as the disease where people are often overweight; but those with type-1 diabetes can lose weight as a symptom of the disease. Not only with diabetes, there are several other illnesses that may cause a person to lose weight before they are diagnosed.

Anorexia: Being skinny does not mean a person suffers from anorexia. Anorexic people have an eating disorder that in turn leaves them severely malnourished and yes, they are very skinny. This illness is a prolonged eating disorder that comes from having a distorted body image and a fear of becoming overweight. People with this illness starve themselves and take extreme measures to lose weight rather than gain. Anorexics become underweight and can suffer from many health problems as a result of their illness. Some of those health problems include, heart ailments, malnutrition, dehydration, blood pressure problems, loss of hair and bone mass, fainting, organ failure, and even death. This illness is NOT the cause of many people being thin. To assume that someone is anorexic just because they are thin is an ignorant, uneducated assumption.

A host of other illnesses including thyroid problems, digestive disorders, treatment from cancer and other things can cause a person to be thin or underweight. And sometimes people just have a genetic predisposition to be the size they are. Some people believe that the world is made for skinny people. Some believe that people who are skinny have no reason to complain about their weight and they feel as if they have a right to comment on another person's size freely. Before you mention someone's weight or comment on how thin they are or make an ignorant assumption that they must not eat or that they are anorexic, think about the possible reasons for them being the size they are. Maybe you don't think it's an insult to talk about someone's size as long as they aren't overweight but telling someone to go eat a sandwich is just as offensive as telling someone they shouldn't eat one. It goes both ways no matter which side of the scale you're on.