Without certain metrics, it's hard to know whether someone is actually obese and at risk for heart disease and other issues. And because many of us have been conditioned to see a certain body type as normal weight, or healthy, it's also tough to know whether every large body we see is unhealthy. This is a bias I've noticed in myself and many others.

It's good to be reminded that even those inside thin bodies can expose themselves to health complications depending on their lifestyle. I know and follow many fat people who take stellar care of themselves. At first glance, one might think they are overweight or obese. However, their lifestyle proves differently. One of the main issues I find in our society is equating weight to health because fat people can be healthy, too! Lifestyle matters. And honestly, when you take weight out of the picture (regardless of your size), I think it's much less stressful to live a healthy lifestyle. In my personal experience, you're more in tune with your body and its needs.

Thank you for writing this piece and starting a discussion around the topic. There are obviously many different angles to see it from. All worth considering.