My Response To Fatphobia Claims

I was scrolling through reddit today and came across this post saying I have “fatphobic tendencies”. This was really hard for me to read and caused me to take a critical look back at my previous comments regarding obesity, bariatric treatments, and diet recommendations (Keto, intermittent fasting, vegan, etc.) Our culture demonizes people for their weight, from rogue marketing pushing “ideal bodies” in media to a lack of representation for large bodied people on stage and on screen. That being said, I am a doctor, and my job is to help people live longer, healthier lives, and often those results can be achieved through a variety of tactics that will reduce the weight of people who suffer from obesity. It’s a fine line between helping my patients and making sure they don’t feel judged or criticized for the way they look, and I’m working hard to get it right.

COMMENTS ON BARIATRIC SURGERY REDDITOR REFERS TO:

RESEARCH ON OBESITY AND WEIGHT IN REGARDS TO HEALTH:

I LOVE reading your comments and take your suggestions seriously. If there’s a subject you want me to discuss or something you’d like for me to react to, leave a comment down below. Many of my videos have been born out of suggestions directly from you, so don’t hold back!
-Doctor Mike Varshavski

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340 W 42nd St # 2695
NY, NY 10108

** The information in this video is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this video is for general information purposes only and does not replace a consultation with your own doctor/health professional **

[spyrothedragon]

Making fun of someone for being fat is one thing, but a doctor educating someone on the risks of being obese is NOT fat phobic

[galaxygamer]

These people really wrote “DOCTOR says being obese is bad for health. I can’t believe he is fatphobic”

[brattneyrose]

"Obesity puts you at a higher risk for certain diseases." That's not fatphobia. That's medicine.

[brookemills]

I lost over 200lbs with bariatric surgery. It saved my life. I have been told by many people that I am fatphobic, that I am lazy, and I should have accepted my body for what it was. I would have died young.i am so much happier and healthier. And I will never stop advocating for that treatment because it changed my life. I refuse to apologize for that

[josuenavarrete]

He’s a doctor, why wouldn’t he condone eating healthy. Just cuz he condones doesn’t mean he’s fat shaming. He’s just trying to help guide people to being healthier and happier

[elle_aye]

"Obese" is a medical term, not hate speech. People really need to realize this

[SharifZ]

As an obese person, ive never felt that he was calling me out or was making me feel bad about myself.

[caoixhe]

My uncle is a doctor. He always makes fun of overweight people at the gym and has called them disgusting. That is fatphobic. Dr Mike is literally caring about people's health. There is a difference.

[allymills]

Telling someone they won’t be able to find love because they’re fat is fatphobic.

Saying you’re at a risk of type 2 diabetes when you’re overweight is not.

[Chris-bxux]

A medically licensed doctor is advocating for a healthy body weight and people are complaining he's fatphobic. I've officially seen it all

[GraceReport]

It's really disturbing that someone would call you fatphobic for encouraging people to watch what they eat (i.e. eat healthily).

[scottresch]

As a man who is 370 pounds at 6'2" and a full time electrician. I move around a lot still because of my job. My eating problem is because, I don't have a lot of self control when it comes to food. But I can say that I really appreciate the videos where Dr Mike brings up obesity. They have gotten me motivated to overcome my self control issue. To this day I have lost 30 pounds in three months. Thank you Dr Mike. You have motivated me.

[EmilyBemilyBop]

“He talks about watching what you eat” um yes because a

[hivavlogs]

Bruh, he’s a doctor. It’s his job to teach people to be healthy

[Snackery]

“I’ve never watched his videos”
Proceeds to defame and discredit him.

[megan]

I don’t think these people realize that it is possible to be body positive and promote healthy lifestyles at the same time

[chad-thundercock]

Imagine trying to cancel someone for telling you that being unhealthy is bad

[corbinh]

He is a doctor. he just wants the best life for his patients.

[MamaDoctorJones]

Dr. Mike, I know you and I know you to be a kind and supportive friend, and evidence based physician. Thank you for making this video.

[bigtizzle]

As a formerly obese person, I appreciate Dr. Mike and wish I had someone like him in my corner when I was younger. He is not fat phobic, he is a doctor who obviously cares about his patients and is trying to share his extensive knowledge. Not all Doctors in the media are “Dr.” Oz.