People should be strongly encouraged to make better choices, especially from a young age, as childhood obesity is also a glaring issue, while Taiwan already has an adult overweight or obesity rate of more than 40 percent. It takes time to change one person’s habits, not to mention a nation’s, but at least the choices are there. Even if such remarks are meant as well-intended criticism, they are usually counterproductive, affecting the recipient’s self-esteem and causing mental stress. It is not just poor eating habits or lack of exercise that causes weight gain; there could be mental or physical factors. The problem of fat-shaming is tackled in the upcoming film Heavy Craving (大餓), which opens in theaters next month.

Source: Taipei Times October 08, 2019 15:56 UTC