Are the Obese to blame for obesity?

I went out to eat today at a Chinese buffet. I couldn't help but notice the number of obese people filling their plates with large amounts of food. I was ashamed at myself for being so prejudiced. After all, its their bodies, their bussiness.
But, then I thought: its their bodies and business that's bankrupting the Healthcare system and costing everyone millions in tax dollars and insurance premiums (Obesity related illness is the #1 healthcare problem in America according to the AMA and CDC). So, if a person has a serious problem with obesity, why would they go to an all-you-can-eat buffet?
I know, I'm an obesity bigot. But, I feel the same way about smokers who burn up their lungs and end up costing the Healthcare system billions of dollars for smoking related illnesses. Part of that money comes out of our pockets in the form of higher premums and higher healthcare taxes. So, then its not just their business.
Oh well, that's my rant. What do you think? Am I right?

No, many obese simply have a tendency to become obese and it's not their fault. Take me, for instance, I'm 45, slim, I can eat anything I want, I've always been slim, not to say skinny, and I'll always remain that way. It's genetic. Anyway, life isn't about blame, people have enough problems as it is, they don't need to be blamed just because somebody thinks taxes are too high. You go in that direction and people won't be able to eat, drink, smoke, in fact do anything anymore...

You are right about having to pay taxes to the healthcare system for smokers and obesity related illnesses. It is your personal choice to down plates of chinese food but is it wise? No. Just because someone is over weight should you judge them for going to an all you can eat buffet? No. I think they should stop putting so much salt in everything because that is what increases your appetite also makes you retain water that makes you bloated.

They are to blame for their weight. They want to eat so much and put themselves at risk for heart attacks, diabetes, and so on, then that is what they bring upon themselves. I feel sorry for people who have no self control, but lets be honest, they are the ones filling up their plates.

BANKRUPTING THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM hmmmmmmmmmm

Hey if there were no obese people there would be no obeseCITY so OF COURSE its THEIR FAULT ...........RIGHT??????????????????

We don't have national health care so the idea that these people are costing YOU money is a fallacy.

Personal accountability went out the window when radical judges allowed the first of the cases against corporations to be settled in favor of the alleged victim. We all know McDonald's coffee is hotter than hell, but some idiot spills some in her lap and gets millions. We all know smoking will kill you, or at least make you cough up nastiness, but people sue and win. Fat people need to consume less and exercise more. If an insurance company wants to charge by the pound, so be it. I get charged more cause I'm a smoker. I should quit. I dont want to. So I pay more. It is what it is. I can blame my smoking on my parents, but I still made that choice to start. Personal accountability needs to be a value instilled in people, but the blame the world excuse seems to be the most popular idea now.

Some Obese people are obese because they do what you saw in the Chinese place.

Some Obese people, however are not to blame for the way they are. Some People are born with a VERY slow metabolism. They eat less than a normal person, exercise daily, and just cannot lose weight because it is inherited or due to there metabolism again. They will only give Gastric bypass surgeries to those who actually SHOW they are willing to work hard and keep the weight off, and work some of it off before surgery for a reason.

But I agree, some are to blame for their own problems, but we are all to blame for our problems in life, thats just life.

well if people pay their own healthcare premiums, they're paying for their own health. and we don't have universal healthcare so it has nothing to do with you. and anyway, no one wants to be obese. there's a underlying problem (depression, thyroid, possibly food addictions, etc) and if that is treated, the problem w/ overeating/obesity will most likely go away. problems present themselves with different symptoms, and really some medications cause weight gain and/or increase appetite (some birth control contains progesterone increases appetite. and some anti depressants do the same thing- along with effecting the body to where your metabolism slows and you can't lose weight as easily). humans are creatures of "want" and americans have a culture of excess...but americans are also vain-- so no one is doing this to themselves b/c they WANT to.

Did no one watch that show on TLC????
Being obese isn't a choice for me anymore then being thin is a choice for someone who is naturally thin. The choices come from how we were brought up... for example I was thin for the better part of my young life but after a failed marriage and being told that I was ugly and not worth anything I piled on the pounds. Add to that having 12 miscarriages during that marriage and finally giving birth to one healthy child.
My point is that due to circumstances that were literally out of my control until I TOOK back control of my life there was little I wanted to do.
Do I think that Everything is a choice ... Yes right down to smoking and drinking. If you are so concerned about another persons weight try walking a mile in their shoes, I guarantee you wouldn't last a single step. So console yourself in the knowledge that you will never have to walk that mile yourself.
Dutchess

Scientists are finding more and more proof that a lot of
overweight is genetically caused. There are bits of the
endocrine system that are turned on in fatter people, and
it makes their bodies keep weight that others metabolize
off. Also, viruses can make undifferentiated cells, stem
cells, decide to all become fat cells instead.
On top of that, some of us have to take medication to
live, that makes our bodies change, and gain weight.
So, if you see someone enjoying a good meal, don't
choke on your own in judgement. Some of us eat
consistently less than you each day, and yet cannot
lose an ounce.
Fat prejudice is one of the few "acceptible" ones
now. Making fun of large people is not nice, y'all; we
know we're big, but we are still people, and we feel,
see, think, love, care, and get hurt just like you.
So let live and live your own life.

I think of obesity as a moral failing rather then anything genetic, they even did a study on peoples metabolisms and most people have the same metabolsims its just fat people secretly eat more, and say they eat the same.

Fat peopel discust me and I believe as a soceity we should do more to discrimate and ridcule fat people. Like at Mcdonnalds have chairs way to close to the tables so if your to fat to bad. I also think corporations should be able to take away healthcare benefits for discustingly fat employees.