Long ago, fat was praised as giving an advantage to humans living during the Ice Age. People with more fat could have a reserve of energy, and this could mean life or death. A stone sculpture from 25,000 BC depicting an overweight, obese woman has been discovered. Women with a lot of fat were sought after by men because their fat was believed to improve fertility. Nowadays, fat is looked down upon as it is considered undesirable and also poses many health risks. There is a misconception that all fat people are obese, as obesity affected 39.8% of the world's population and approximately 93.3 million adults in the United States in 2015-2016 (CDC). However, at the same time, a new movement is emerging, namely the fat acceptance movement. The movement became so large that an organization known as the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance was formed out of it. This movement is meant for people to accept their overweight bodies and help create a society where people of all sizes are treated equally in all aspects of life (NAAFA). Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Fat acceptance and fat-shaming are on opposite sides, and the public is divided between them. This essay will compare two articles that advocate different views on fat acceptance. Jane E. Brody wrote the first article and is a well-respected personal health writer for the New York Times, and she wrote an article called "More Fitness, Less Fat." In that article, Brody argues that fat acceptance leads people to shift towards unhealthy eating habits and a terrible exercise mindset. On the other hand, Rebecca M. Puhl, deputy director of the Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity at the University of Connecticut, published an article titled “Obesity Stigma: Important Considerations for Public Health.” Puhl argues that prejudice against fat people has multiple consequences for their psychological and physical health. Obesity is increasing at an alarming rate and the fat acceptance movement is spreading rapidly throughout today's culture, and there is a constant clash between both sides. The question is whether fat should be accepted. While both Puhl and Brody agree that obesity is a problem, Puhl believes that accepting fat is more beneficial in helping obese people overcome their weight problems. According to Puhl, obese people are blamed for their weight “with the common perception that weight stigma is justifiable and can motivate people to adopt healthier behaviors.” But Brody argues that accepting that they didn't cause obesity "will lead people to pursue unhealthy eating and exercise habits that cause obesity, to the detriment of their overall health." Puhl doesn't want obese people to feel like it's their fault they have weight problems; however, Brody goes against Puhl's argument, describing that not blaming the obese for their weight will lead to them continuing that lifestyle. Puhl wants people to know that such blame on obese people will have a negative impact on them rather than a positive one. The constant shame and judgment they receive will “induce psychological distress,” and that “stigma will increase vulnerability to poor psychological functioning.” A disorder described by Puhl is uncontrolled eating, due to the stress produced by one's body image. Puhl's argument is based on the ideathat making obese people feel bad will add to the obesity problem that already exists. Brody goes against Puhl's argument by arguing that letting them accept their body image will make things worse. Puhl says this “trend toward “fat acceptance” bodes poorly for future well-being and the soaring costs of chronic weight-related disorders such as heart disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes and more dozen types of cancer." He argues that letting them be comfortable in their obese state will not help them become less obese. Brody argues that not reporting them for their obesity will not help them become healthier as the average weight of humans increases, which will lead them to believe that their weight is normal. Puhl argues that not only does obesity-shaming cause an increase in obesity, but “weight discrimination was significantly associated with current diagnoses of mood and anxiety disorders.” Psychological distress causes personality disorders and this leads to an even worse lifestyle for those suffering from obesity. For Puhl, obesity has other solutions than making it known that obese people have a problem with themselves. The problem is this constant guilt, and not the lifestyle that obese people live according to Puhl. Puhl states that “obese patients indicate that they feel disrespected by providers, perceive that they will not be taken seriously because of their weight, report that their weight is held responsible for all of their medical problems, and are reluctant to address their weight concerns with providers. .” Puhl wants people to see that society already has a negative view of obese people, so the blame will push them to hide their lifestyle, which will make it difficult for healthcare workers to change their lifestyle. However, Brody suggests that because “individuals who do not believe they are overweight, or who view obesity in a positive light, are less likely to seek weight loss treatment.” He is saying that if their obesity is considered normal, then they will get used to it and do nothing about it. In his argument Brody states that Americans “seem to have adapted to a new normal regarding weight,” which is not a good thing since the new weight is at a higher number. Brody cites a study published in 2010 that "revealed that an increasing percentage of overweight adults – 21% of women and 46% of men (compared to 14% and 41%, respectively, in the 1990s) – consider one's weight is 'about right.'” He explains that this so-called “normal” weight will continue to increase if obese people continue with their current lifestyle. Puhl's main point on this topic is to help the obesity problem without making obese people feel bad about themselves or feel like they are being judged. Brody also wants to help the obesity problem, but says not telling obese people they have a problem will only make them gain weight. Puhl shows a study on the effects of pointing out someone's weight that describes how people who experience "weight-based teasing are more likely to engage in binge eating and unhealthy weight-control behaviors than overweight peers who are not teased around, even after controlling for variables like BMI and socioeconomic status.” Puhl is pushing for an answer that doesn't involve judging obese people, so that these people don't have additional physical and psychological problems there is a solution that doesn't involve making obese people realize they have a problem. Because of the growing fat acceptance movement, Brody says that “even doctors