Public perceptions of weight losers

Many of my clients are often asked very funny questions when their weight loss becomes evident.

Whereas they find a good number of people admiring their new state and wanting to get to where they are; a lot of people also ask them very derogatory questions. 

These questions are very discouraging, making them to lose interest in the weight loss programme. 

Culture and body weight

The Ghanaian cherishes body fat. A woman who is slim is often seen as being sick or not being well taken care of by her husband.
This holds true for a slim man as well. Their wives are often seen as wicked women who do not cook for their husbands.
Fat babies are a delight to their parents. When children start growing, everyone wants them to grow big.
Even among children themselves, being too small in size is a recipe for insecurity as the small looking ones are often bullied.
A married man soon gains weight simply because he must eat his wife’s food; even very late at night, fufu must be eaten.
A lady needs to be very plum so their “kaba and slit” fits them beautifully. A man needs to be fat for their cloth to look good on them.
These are some of the reasons why it is very difficult to see people lose weight in our country Ghana. 

Back to the derogatory questions

They often ask you if you are sick. In this they are referring to sicknesses such as HIV/ AIDS.
When they ask you “what is wrong with you?” they want to know whether you are thinking of something most of the time, such as loss of job, an abusive relationship or whether you have marital problems.
Some people will even think that you are so broke or poor to the extent that you cannot afford food anymore hence the weight loss.

Do these questions matter at all?

The answer is a “BIG NO”. What does it matter to the one asking these questions? Nothing! People just want to discredit and discourage you. They want to prevent you from losing weight, a sure way of safeguarding your heart, preventing stroke, preventing diabetes, preventing high blood cholesterol among others.
Some people need to lose weight so they can become fertile and make their own babies.
If you lose weight, you are the one it benefits and not those who talk around you. Of course, weight has to be lost within reasonable limits.
For everyone’s height, there is a maximum weight they must attain. It is therefore very important for everyone to think about working towards their ideal body weight.
The best time to start is just at the time that you notice your weight is rising. 

What to do with these comments

Know that if you succeed with weight loss, people will talk. You do not have to allow these negative talks deter you from taking care of your own body.
No dietician will monitor you to lose weight more than necessary. We will only help you lose weight within normal limits.
So next time someone sees your changing face due to weight loss and tries to make you feel bad, tell them you are losing weight for health and wellness. Do not allow them to discourage you.

• The writer of this article is a Dietician at Trust Hospital & Clinics. Grab copies of my book titled: “Diet, Health & Wellness” and my video and audio diet advice on CDs.
Contact: 0244090262, also available at Kingdom Books and Stationery Shops: Accra, Osu-Ako Adjei and Marina mall, Airpot; Kumasi, KNUST campus