Thoughts on health, obesity test readers’ ‘Precious’ beliefs
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LAST WEEK’S column about obesity and Gabourey Sidibe, star of the critically acclaimed, Academy Award-winning movie “Precious,” generated impassioned responses from Daily News readers.
Here’s what several had to say:
Truly disturbed
Just read your column about Sis Sidibe. My disclaimer is that I’m 62, in recovery and have a bucket list. I’ve completed a marathon and have jogged five half-marathons, am currently taking a rigorous self-defense class and either jog or lift four to five times a week.
I experienced how dropping 20 pounds considerably eased knee discomfort after a jog. I’m about 6 foot 2 inches and was weighing around 217. Since 2006, I’ve stayed in the 200-205 range. The charts say for my age and weight I’m overweight by my BMI. So if I’m overweight, 5 foot 4 inches at 350 [pounds] is obese.
I’m not judging her character or how nice a person she is. What I’m saying is, those that really love Sis Sidibe need to be honest and tell her carrying that weight could have either long-term effects or damage done now might not manifest until later in life.
I was disturbed by her mother saying Sidibe wouldn’t have gotten the role if she hadn’t been heavy. One role . . . OK, but does this mother REALLY want her daughter typecast as an obese victim? I’m not suggesting that the young lady aspire to have a body like Mrs. Jay-Z [Beyoncé], but there’s no way carrying all that weight can be considered healthy.
- Wilson
Let’s embrace all shades
Having struggled with my own weight, it pains me to see Sidibe, knowing the struggle that she faces either to maintain a healthy weight or to live with the consequences of her obesity. What is more painful, though, is to see “dark-skinned” lumped together with poverty, abuse and obesity. As African-American women, we need to embrace the range of our skin colors.
- Pat Burks
Stop glorifying disease
I’m so grateful for your willingness to use the word “pandering” in your [column]. It’s exactly on the mark. Showbiz relies upon suspension of disbelief and so does the fat-acceptance movement. But our health refuses to deny reality. And sadly, in reality, Americans of color are paying the greatest price.
We’re all fat - that’s for sure. But as you know, some are hit harder by type 2 diabetes and hypertension at far lower body fat percentages than Caucasians. We have to stop glorifying a culture that promotes chronic disease and premature death.
Thank you again for speaking out, Kimberly. The backlash is never fun . . . But you’re courageous for saying what must be said.
- MeMe Roth
It’s a health issue
It may seem as if it’s the pressures of Hollywood and “stardom” coming at Gabourey to lose weight. I honestly think it is a health issue. Queen Latifah, Mo’Nique, Jill Scott are all curvaceous, plus-sized women, but we wouldn’t call them obese as we would Gabourey.
No, we can’t say she is “unhealthy”; we don’t know if her weight is affecting her heart or liver or kidney function. But if it’s not today, as you mentioned, it’s pretty much inevitable that it will one day.
I don’t think anyone is saying she needs to be a size 2, or 4, or an 8! I just feel that if she finds herself with the resources to exercise and eat healthy meals, she should do so, and if she happens to lose weight in the process, great! It will lead her to a longer, healthier and, although she seems quite happy now, happier life.
- Price
It takes crisis proportions
Initially, some of us avoided seeing “Precious” because we thought it was more black-male-bashing. But when I saw it, I told my friends that, no, Lee Daniels was going to catch it from black women. Black women have no problem running down brothers for their shortcomings, but when the shoe is on the other foot, they generally can’t handle it.
The obesity problem among sisters started more than 20 years ago, but like all negative trends affecting black America, we always wait until it has reached crisis proportions.
- Len Mfuasi
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By Kimberly Garrison
Philadelphia Daily News
Daily News Personal FItness Columnist
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