Bet they pack a mean fart.

Don't usually think about anything about it consciously, unless they're hugely obese.

We're talking obese, right? Not just chunky? Empathy. Nobody who is obese wants to be, and they'd change if they could - in fact, they DO change when they finally CAN - but no one who has never been obese can understand what it's like or how difficult and no-win the whole situation is. Some people are obese because of hereditary body type or slow metabolism that docs either can't or won't medicate for. Some are obese because of physical limitations on exercise. Some are because of brain chemistry that responds to stress with images of luscious food and the urge to "eat! eat! and you'll feel better." If you're thinking "Just say no," you are not understanding, at all, what fat people face. Add in depression, which messes up brain chemistry still further. Add in society's disapproval. Add in all the messages in the media - ads that say "you can lose; it's simple; just send in $$$$$ and in no time you'll"..... and other ads with images of big drippy burgers, deep-fried everything, 64-ounce sodas, and packaged junk food everywhere. Seriously - food ads aren't interested in catering to your fruit-and-vegetable impulse. The ads hawk either sweet fat or salty fat. And it really tastes good! Most fat people have tried and failed, tried and failed, to lose the weight. Each failure is another self-esteem loss. They still have to try to stay positive, but the non-obese world looks at them as though the whole thing is their fault. Recently, quite a few have tried the gastric-bypass surgery, but the statistics on that aren't that great. First, numerous post-op people have regained all or most of the weight. Second, the operation itself is no walk in the park! There's an obese person in my family. She's wonderful, hard-working, sane and sensible. We tried gastric bypass, and it worked for a while but she's regained the weight. She isn't giving up. Good for her! I didn't mean to get on a soapbox, but my message to non-obese people is - don't assume anything about fat people. My message to fat people is - keep positive. Fat or thin, you're valuable.

Honest answer - which not proud of but at least honest.. It depends on the situation. I hated myself for see a very obese person at an airport - waiting for a plane - my first thought was "oh God I hope I dont have to sit on the plane next to him". It would have been very uncomfortable. Similarly so in the theatre recently. Apart from that - I also stereo type them as being nice and friendly - so I think that person is probably a nice person. (I have know a few very obese people and they have all been nice). I do feel sorry for them too. I think about the fact they will not likely live to a good age, but hopefully they are at least enjoying their time to the full right now. Also that people can treat them badly (my thoughts at airport showing mysef being guilty). So second thoguht is often guilt over the first thought

sympathy, its sad seen a really obese person...

depends what they're doing. Grumping, i think it's gross, smiling hopefully ( or smiling anything ) i feel sorry.

Disgust, especially when they are chomping down on a Super Size helping of french fries with a malt in the other hand, and two empty wrappers from a double cheese burger laying on the table.

I am a big guy 6' 245lbs but people who are morbidly obese tick me off because, from my experience, they look for sympathy and claim they have tried every diet and excercise plan on the planet and fail when really all they do is fail themselves. I have friends who are morbidly obese and their idea of eating healthy is a McFish instead of a big mac. I know that i am 245-250lbs because i love to eat but at the same time i go to the gym daily for 45 minutes to an hour to lift weights and jog on a treadmill. I know my BMI isnt within the range i am suppose to be in but my blood pressure and cholestrol are good and i can do phyiscal activities without wanting to keil over and die. Will i ever be 175lbs? probably not without a doctor telling me i have to or ill die but will i ever be 300lbs nope.

I love food just as much as anyone, but i exercise a bit of control. I feel that they brought on their problems. I watch my weight on a day to day basis. If all obese people have done that there is no suffering from trying to lose just 1 pound.

i guess it depends. some people have diseases which affect their metabolism and in that case i have empathy...but people who are obese because they are irresponsible disgust me....im not going to lie

When I was little I swore I would always watch what I eat and never become overweight. I did this for one simple reason - I thought when I was sick, my tummy hurt sooo much, so of course, they must hurt that much more. (Made sense when I was 5) I usually wonder if they are taking medication that caused weight gain. I have to admit, sometimes I do just think negative things.

both. i'll be honest...usually i feel disgust first, and then after that sympathy because it will be so hard for that person to lose the amount of weight that they need to if they were to try.

I feel neither. Theyre people just like you and me. I wouldnt judge people by their age or sex, why would I not do the same for people of size? I really dont have time to care what they look like. Thats their business.

i think, i could be that way if i just ate and ate and ate. i am amazed that their body still takes so much abuse. their ankles and their knees. such stress. I am marginally obese. i laugh when people laugh at me. LOL.

i feel bad...they must be sad...

Neither, they are human beings that deserve respect.