I have seen similar stories like that in the past, and what I find interesting about it, is that as an overweight person myself, I feel tremendous empathy for her, because I know how she (or he) got to that point, and the feelings that they feel. However, I think the insentive comments come from people who have never had the weight problem, and just can not relate to the situation. I can not tell you how many times I have heard people comment about how hard is it to lose weight, just cut back. While I appreciate the whole "let's walk a mile in another person shoes", I do not think by wearing a "fat suit" that a person can really experience what it is like to live day and day out as an overweight person. Sure they may get the comments, and not being served, etc., (I myself have never had that experience), but, they get to take the "fat suit" off at the end of the day. They do not feel the long term effects. Sorry, I will get off my now. As for my wake up call. It was over a year ago, when I was at my highest (299 lbs ) and I went to my doctor for my annual physical. He basically told me if I did not do something soon, I would not only develop diabetes, but I was a prime canidate for hypertension.

I saw the ep with Tyra Banks in a fat suit -- perhaps the one Penny saw? And I wondered whether several factors weren't coming into play:
1) this took place in LA -- woud it have been different in the Heartland?
2) she is thin and pretty and has been a model -- perhaps for her it was a real contrast to how people normally treat her/recognize her.
3) we tend to find what we're looking for, and if you're looking for evidence people aren't treating you well, you can find it, no matter your weight.

I don't want to minimize her experience, but many of us don't report such egregious experiences, and I wonder if these other reasons come into play. Hey, I'm willing to live a day in a super-model's body and see what the difference is!