I do believe that there is truth in the statement that obesity is the new smoking. Just as smokers ARE at a much higher risk of getting cancer, so are the obese. Pointing out a health fact is NOT fat shaming. There is no "judgment" about a person's virtue nor about their "value as a person" involved in stating that the obese are more likely to get cancer than less heavy people.

Unfortunately, obese people DO face a daily barrage of discrimination. Those who have never had a weight problem often DO think that obese people are less virtuous than slender people, that they lack self-control or are too lazy to exercise. The obese ARE discriminated against in multiple ways and, are often made the butt of jokes as children. From adults, the discrimination against the obese is usually more indirect and subtle... but it hurts none the less! And daily experience with overt and covert discrimination CAN lead the overweight into becoming overly sensitive to seeing/hearing slights where none are intended.

So, perhaps there might be a better way to get the factual health-message across by focusing more on how sugar is addictive in the same way that nicotine is addictive...and that BOTH addictions ultimately lead to an increased risk for cancer.

Nicotine addiction --> excessive smoking --> tar build up --> CANCER.

Sugar addiction --> excessive eating --> fat build up --> CANCER.