Well, society shouldn't force them to change. But, if they are not living a healthy lifestyle, they should do it for themselves.

I don't think they should conform for cosmetic benefits, but kateliness is right, if it's threatening their life they should consider shedding a few pounds for that purpose.

That is a very treacherous road to go down....

It depends on how fat the person is.

Someone who is slightly overweight but not too worried about it, who eats healthy food (maybe too much of it), and generally is very happy with their lifestyle, they should not be asked to change at all.

But a person who is dangerously obese should be asked to change their habits, not just for the sake of their own life but for the sake of their family and friends. I watched a programme a few years ago, with a woman who was 44 stone whose family were worried about her and tried to get her to diet; and she just completely ignored them and said that she didn't care.

Plus, imagine how much it costs the health service if everyone who was obese had that attitude. Actually in America the health service is probably pretty pleased it's getting their money because it's all private. But in other countries, it would be wasting the government's money if a large percentage of the population had obesity-related problems.

Nobody should be forced to change anything that only effects them selves.

i'm not sure because obesity can often be just as harmful to a person's body as anorexia and sometimes anorexic people need to be admitted to help them get healthy again

and obesity doesn't just effect you, if causes health problems for you it can hurt your close realatives or it can be a bad example for your children or impressionable young children around you

Their weight has nothing to do with it.

This issue is 100% Freedom of Choice vs Control.

Okay then DrD. They should not be forced. But they should be encouraged, for the sake of their children if they have some, their family, their friends who care about them and are worried, to change their lifestyle. If they are always ill and do not have the ability to look after their children or talk to their friends or go outside, their weight does NOT only affect themselves, it affects everyone around them. Also, it costs the health service a lot of money unnecessarily.

Not only that, but while a fat person may think they are happy the way they are, they would be happier if they were fit and healthy. Many fat people are not educated about healthy eating and do not have the available resources to exercise, and so they assume that theri fatness is just something that is part of them, and give up trying to do anything about it. They might pass their bad habits onto their children because there is no healthy food being cooked in the house, simply because they do not know about those things. They need to be educated about the problems assosciated with obesity and how to prevent it.

it's not a case of not being educated many overweight people are well aware of what to eat and what not to eat and many are even aware that they have a problem but they have a serious eating disorder

A person should want to lose weight for their health, but they shouldn't be forced to. Obesity is affecting society a lot lately, so people should be informed of the issues, but not forced to act.

Even if they're morbidly obese, it's up to them.

However, they probably won't be happy if they're seriously obese, because society knows that is a serious problem, and he/she will be encouraged to change at best, and looked down upon or even despised at worst.

I think if its to the point where its life threatening then they should realize by themselves that they should change.

No im fat (Size 16) and i Happy as can be =D I have a great job 100's of friends and and Bf who loves me and i wouldnt change a single bit =D

NO!!!! HOW MEAN!!!!! YOU GO RainbowGeek819!!!!

Unless there are dangerous health risks and its the person's family that is concerned.

If they're dangerously obese, then people should say something. Otherwise, leave them alone.

As much as i love exercise and being healthy i have to say no. If someone can be fat but still enjoy life to the fullest then i say go for it. You only get one shot at life so if your happy then stick with whats making you happy.

They should only change for themselves...if they wish 2 to begin with..