How do you know when an obese person is big because of illness?

Honestly, even though I weigh about 20 pounds more than I should, I do tend to notice especially large people. But not in a negative way. I always wonder, "What has happened in their lives to cause them to be this way?" Even if it isn't a physical medical problem, obesity is more often than not a psychological issue-- eating to hide, to find comfort, to mask shame.

It's wrong to judge based on weight-- whether a person is 400 lbs or 80 lbs, it's natural to notice, but hateful and wrong to judge them for it.

I'd say that anybody that is overweight, regardless of the reason why, have a hard time in life and are more humble from dealing with it on a day to day basis. I've been thin and I've been overweight in my life and I know there is a huge difference. I'd say instead of worrying about why they're overweight, it's really best to understand the whole spectrum. Given, some people may be gluttons but even they have an addiction to food and are most likely miserable. It's best to have empathy for anyone that's very large instead of judging them. (Because if you make fun of them, it's likely that karma will bite you in the butt and later it'll be YOU in that position!)

I'm morbidly obese and want to do an opperation. In my case it i'm not fat due to illness but bad choices in food.

Medical problems may play a part, but I think most illnesses are also brought about by poor eating habits.

dude to judge or look down on a person just because they're a fat #$%king slob is wrong especially considering that i eat so much and never exercise so when my metabolism goes I'm gonna look like a sumo wrestler

You can't tell by looking. But if you know a person better you learn the difference between empty excuses and real problems. Example two overweight women i know A and B.

A was over weight because she bust her foot and was inactive for months. She's healed already lost a lot of weight.

B claims that she's gained weight because when she was younger she lived in an urban area and didn't need a car, in this town she needs a car. B blames inactivity but she's made no effort to get fit and I've seen her take a miidnight meal

there's no way to tell by looking WHY a person is overweight. there are legitimate medical reasons for obesity. steriods cause massive weight gain, thyroid conditions destroy the metabolism, immobility leads to weight gain because obviousely a person can't burn calories. I feel great empathy for obese people, I know what it's like to want to unzip my body and step out of it. I'm not morbidly obese but i'm carrying about 40 extra pounds. I've seen family members suffer and fall into despair over their weight. Obesity kills. fact. It's not wrong to encourage and HELP people with weight problems to lose weight to save their life. it's not superficial. it's compassion. obesity is a condition that's visible and obvious. Not like cancer, heart disease, or diabetes. and you wouldn't tell someone with any of these conditions to just "accept themselves" for who they are. Some people are bigger, they are genetically pre-disposed to it. a few extra pounds or a little thickness is not life threatening (and is quite attractive on some people). i'm not saying everyone needs to be skinny. I'm saying being OBESE is not ok, or normal, or healthy.