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Kjel Bennett, the interpreter of Bilal in “Plus belle la vie”, has recently been talked about. After having shared photos of his physical transformation, the actor would have indeed affirmed “that being big is a choice”.
This is a new controversy that shakes “Plus belle la vie”. One of the former actors of the series, Kjel Bennett, has been heavily criticized on the networks. And for good reason: after appearing shirtless and muscular on Instagram, the actor implied that being overweight was “a choice“.
It was below a photo of his torso that the actor made the famous comment: “Photo of the day. Zero apologies. Disciplined 100%. Being fat is a choice“.
A shock sentence, which did not please many Internet users.
“Go say that being fat is a choice for those who suffer from it every day and who are fat because of different eating disorders or illnesses. Or to all those who wish they could have the same determination, but who suffer from depression that prevents them from getting up every morning despite their willpower”comments one of the Internet users.
Despite this argument, Kjel Bennett remains entrenched in his positions.
“I received many such messages. Yes, it is indeed a choice. I’m not saying it’s as easy when you’re sick VS when you’re not, but it’s not impossible. The problem with these kinds of messages is to reassure people’s laziness. It’s reassuring procrastination. (…) You are not depressed and therefore unable to go to the gym, you are depressed because you refuse to go to the gym. Sometimes you have to do something you don’t like to get something you like. (…) Saying ‘I can’t because…’ is already an excuse. Everybody can“, he justified himself.
NO to diets, YES to WW!
Obesity is a disease
For Dr. Guillaume Pourcher, obesity surgeon, this discourse feeds the ambient fatphobia and the non-recognition of obesity as a disease.
“Obesity is a chronic disease recognized by the WHO since 1997. Except that in reality, socially, this is still not the case. Fatphobia is real. We continue to blame suffering patients, even though obesity is not a fault. The causes of this disease are also very complex: genetics play a role, as do hormonal imbalances and disturbances of the microbiota. Finally, the psychological cause is important, especially on the issue of stress and suffering management. These causes must be distinguished from aggravating factors – junk food, sleep disorders, lack of sport, etc. – which are not responsible for obesity..”
In France, according to the Ministry of Health, nearly 17% of the adult population is obese, or more than 8 million people.