Doctor Reacts To “Is Obesity A Choice” Debate

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Executive Producer: Doctor Mike
Production Director and Editor: Dan Owens
Managing Editor and Producer: Sam Bowers
Editor and Designer: Caroline Weigum
Editor: Juan Carlos Zuniga

* Select photos/videos provided by Getty Images *

** 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 **

[omgitzpaige]

idk who called dr mike fat phobic but he is literally the most inclusive and non-judgemental person in health i’ve seen at least on the internet! in fact he explained what it is and what it isn’t very well

[lumiko]

I feel like the whole debate could've just ended on "being fat or skinny isn't A choice, it's a result of MULTIPLE choices and some of them aren't up to you"

[petrri]

For a show called “middle ground” its very intriguing that they always ask nothing but polarizing, black-and-white, yes-or-no, questions.

[kelelizabeth]

Eating disorder therapist here: THANK YOU for your commentary on weight stigma, neutrality, and appropriate ways to support those struggling with weight, size, shape, and food.

[crunchy_weasel]

I remember a quite one professor said: "Hold them accountable but don't shame them. Shaming only produces anger."

[courtneyrae]

I had cancer and lost 60lbs in two months. I had so many people telling me I looked great and asking what I was doing… skinny is NOT always healthier.

[edwarddelagarza]

so i started watching your channel when i began my weight loss journey. I changed my diet and exercise, six months later i have lost 60 pounds and when i went in for my check up my Doctor was blown away and asked what did you do to lose this weight? i told him very simply i merely followed what you told me changed my diet to low carb and walked an hour a day, i swear he looked like he was going to cry. FYI i am still on the low carb diet and it has been a year because of it my pallet has changed and it is easier to stay on it, i am not losing 10lbs every couple of weeks anymore now it is a pound or two but i am more active i look younger and have more energy.

[meaperly]

I usually avoid commenting on videos but i wanna say one thing. im 17 and around beginning of 2023 i had lost 12kgs. i wasn't obese but i was overweight. everytime i tried to make a change and lose weight to be skinnier, i failed. this one time i made a lifestyle change because i started having breathing issues and had weird oily bumps on my skin which doctor said was due to my weight and excess fat. i didn't wanna risk my health so i made the change and stuck to it without feeling insecure throughout the process like i did in the past.

now my weight fluctuates 1-2kg up or down but I've maintained it. i still wasnt exactly in my normal weight bmi (i was just 1kg over it) but i felt lighter, healthier and body felt more functional.

I've tried losing 10 more kgs after that but now my mentality has been a lot about getting skinny fast so i fall off track easily and haven't been able to lose any more weight.

in my opinion, the way you approach obesity and health makes a huge difference on how you navigate that change

[HFXmermaid]

I think it's a dangerous line when we start blaming people for all of their health problems when we know how nuanced everything is. Are cavities a choice? Is stress a choice? Is cancer a choice? Is pre-eclampsia a choice? I think it's weird how obesity seems to be the only medical condition where we shame people so much. I am not healthy when I am skinny. Not even close. If fat shaming actually helped at all we wouldn't have any obese people.

[manuscripts_wav]

Wow, amazed by Mike's bravery to speak about such a heated topic on his channel. It's nice to have his voice added to the debate

[brookingpeterson]

this is my favorite Dr. Mike video i have seen. As someone in medical school and in eating disorder recovery, being exposed to the more nuanced side of weight in recovery vs what a lot of the medical community pushes surrounding weight loss has been so difficult for me to juggle. To know i will be a provider in a couple of years impacting people’s lives with my words and approach to the topic of weight, this video makes me feel so much more confident in knowing there are ways to have productive conversations about this centered around your patient’s individuals goals. NOT pushing toxic diet culture that will only result in yo-yo dieting…and probably more health problems!! Thank you Dr. Mike!!! keep being the best!!

[taylorgervais]

Thank you for this awesome video!! I got put on blood pressure medication at 28 because I had become obese. I have two young girls and I started realizing that if I continued down that path I wouldn’t be able to be here with them for as long as I wanted. So I talked with my doctor about my plans and with his help and exercise I was able implement healthy life changes which I am enjoying so much! I’ve lost 62 pounds and I’m grateful for caring medical professionals who helped me become healthier for my family and myself!

[RILDIGITAL]

It's refreshing to see a chat about this thorny topic handled with a ton of respect and understanding. Definitely threw me for a loop in the best way.

[qwertylerqw]

I think the problem with “I’d rather be skinny than fat” rhetoric is that it often is presented as a pressure by society in an unhealthy way. People often find fat people “gross” or “undesirable” and essentially bully fat people into wanting to be skinny. Fat people should want to be skinny because it’s better for THEM, not because it’s better for everyone else. Most people who talk like this about fat people don’t actually care about their health. They’re simply identifying something they personally don’t like about how the other person looks and use health as a justification for this thought

[gillianhenneberry]

I’m so glad you covered this video! It was very frustrating to watch, and it feels like you corrected the exact problems I had with what was being said

[Eddiecation]

This is one of the best discussions about weight that I've seen. Great job!

[saralopezCR]

As an obese woman, I would love to find a GP with the same beliefs as Dr. Mike. I feel understood when he talks about this.

[jenjen]

I am a medical provider that works at an eating disorder clinic. This was a very appropriate approach to discussing weight, size, health, and dieting. GREAT WORK MIKE. VERY IMPRESSED.

[amywang]

I love how, as all other videos, this is super nuanced and informative!!!

[timg]

Dr Mike has such a perfect way with words to not hurt anyone. Thank you for your point of view and for explaining the problems