Obesity has become a worldwide health crisis, linked to increased rates of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. It is also associated with a host of social problems and mental health issues.

Fat people are regularly stigmatised as unattractive, lazy and out of control. This stigma has a devastating effect on their lives.

1. They’re just fat.

Many people have a complicated relationship with fatness. Just because someone is fat doesn’t mean they deserve to be treated badly, or that they should be judged solely on their weight.

Those who are overweight or obese shouldn’t be made fun of, and that includes gross fat people. If you feel like making a judgment about them, you should just ask yourself why it’s necessary for you to make that judgement in the first place.

2. They’re lazy.

One of the most common and surprisingly accurate stereotypes of fat people is that they’re lazy. They eat too much, don’t exercise enough and they have no self control. It’s hard to be impressed by someone who isn’t trying. It’s also a challenge to get them to change their ways, particularly when they’re in the vicinity of a healthy weight or two. The grossest thing about them is that they’re likely to be around for a very long time.

3. They don’t care.

The fact of the matter is that fat people don’t care that much about what they look like. That’s a problem because they often don’t have any clue that their bodies are a little too big to fit into their closets or to sit next to you on a plane or train.

Luckily, it turns out that gross fat people can be a lot more fun than you would imagine. The best part is that it’s possible to retrain your brain to think differently about your own body, and that can make a world of difference when you’re trying to make a lifelong commitment to fitness and health.

4. They’re a freak.

A freak is someone who has a strange or unusual trait or ability. They are often looked down upon by people because they don’t fit into society’s norms.

The word “freak” can have many meanings, but in current usage it means someone who has something strikingly unusual about their appearance or behavior. This usage dates from the so-called freak scene of the 1960s and 1970s.

5. They’re a jerk.

If you’ve ever seen the comments on a fat person’s Instagram or Cosmo cover, you know that many people hate them for simply existing. That’s not a good thing.

And that makes them jerks. Jerks are people who don’t understand that others deserve respect and intellectual and moral value. They’re the kind of people who don’t listen to criticism from other people, or who dismiss it as a joke or counterattack.

6. They’re a snob.

The term “snob” refers to someone who feels that their social status or wealth is superior to others. Often, snobs look down on those of lower social status and exhibit boorish behavior towards them.

Snobs tend to have high standards for themselves, whether it is for a certain type of clothing or car. They will not be content with a cheap item, no matter how much it costs.

7. They’re a bully.

In our society, fat people are often subjected to a host of bullying behaviours. They are deemed unattractive, they have to struggle with body shaming and they can be ostracised from their friends or families.

Bullying isn’t just about childish teasing; it’s exerting power and control over someone who is different from them. They can do this through verbal and physical violence, teasing, rumours or spreading private information.

8. They’re a liar.

You might think that lying is something you’d only see in movies or books, but some people actually lie all the time. This is called pathological lying, and it’s a real problem that needs professional help.

It may be hard to spot when someone’s lying, but there are some tells you can watch for. For example, they might tell a confusing story that contradicts themselves.

9. They’re a snorer.

Snoring happens when air isn’t able to move freely through the throat and nose during sleep. This creates the characteristic log-sawing sound that snorers make.

Snoring can be an occasional problem or a warning sign of something serious, such as sleep apnea. It’s important to talk to your doctor about your snoring.