There is nothing private about being overweight, much less being obese. In fact, the culture has come to accept obesity. The well-meaning intentions to ban fat-shaming have resulted in unintended consequences. The coronavirus is revealing that lives are being lost in ways that were not initially anticipated.

One of the things that the coronavirus has taught us is that being overweight is detrimental to recovery. It is identified as an underlying condition according to medical professionals. People need an unhindered flow of oxygen to the lungs and organs when their immune systems are being challenged. No one wants to be on an oxygen tank or ventilator. Under normal circumstances, to have a healthy oxygen flow in various stages of any illness requires that we move. The weight we carry in our fat-to-body ratio becomes critical. If we are leaner, we move better. Extra pounds literally weigh us down. Critical oxygen flow throughout our bloodstream is diminished.

When fatigued, we become abnormally sluggish. The extra helpings that we have been eating for years now reveal themselves. Our weight, or overweight, becomes the enemy and not a comfort zone of plumpness created by a carefree lifestyle of poor eating.

Some folks are naturally built heavy. This can happen for a myriad of reasons. They are the exception, not the norm.

Stats on obesity need not be reviewed. We can see that we are a nation of overeaters. The error of our ways has been exposed. The coronavirus has doctors taking a second look at how being overweight contributes to the death rate as opposed to those who recover from the illness. Diabetes, which is frequently a result of being overweight, is reportedly prevalent among those who have lost their lives. Some doctors have stated that obesity, which often leads to diabetes, is showing up statistically as contributing to death from the virus.

A report published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information states: "Obesity affects lung function and diminishes oxygen exchange." Though a group of doctors reached this conclusion, it screams common sense. Obesity is a negative when it comes to the well-being of the human body. Extra weight puts pressure on organs and joints. It is a fact.

Don't succumb to advertisements that display obesity as okay in their effort to demonstrate that they are being culturally correct in opposing fat-shaming. We now know that the cultural shift to regaling unhealthy body types is wrong. Abetting "the disease" helps no one. Being overweight is nondiscriminatory; all races succumb to it. High calories are universal offenders.

From those of us who have had to lose pounds to those who are still fighting the weight battle, just know that there is a way. It is within you. For those of us who just look at bread and on put the calories when others don't, find your self-determination to be healthier. It requires personal responsibility to eat a proper diet.

We are not all built the same. We don't all metabolize food the same. But we all know that overeating is not a good thing, and we clearly know what poor eating choices will do to most of us. Be kind and encouraging to those who need to win this battle called obesity. None of us is perfect, but we can strive to be healthy.

The knowledge being gained by the medical professionals from this virus will result in statistics that will reveal a lot about what we already know. Whether in the blood or on the body, too much fat is a bad thing. It is now time for the culture to correct itself and advocate for a healthier lifestyle. It is time to think of weight not as a measure of beauty, but as a measure of health. Everybody is worth it.