Don't get me wrong, I did find your comment amusing. If I came across as bitter that wasn't my intention.

I realized the controversial nature of my comment when after refreshing the thread it already had five downvotes within seconds of me posting it. I could have deleted it at this point, but part of the reason I'm (semi)active here is because I'm genuinely interested in the dynamic of how this forum functions. Downvotes are meaningless to me since I'm not a redditor, so I'd rather hear about why it was controversial than remove it to avoid the associated negative karma. (I'm always disappointed when someone posts something that gets mass downvoted and then quickly deletes it)

I now recognize the reason is probably due to a number of factors:

1. It was a comment poorly written and structured (this probably above all else).
2. It was seen as derogatory to the very subset of people that the topic would attract.
3. I commented early on in the thread, making it more visible.
4. Once downvoting begins it gains momentum and everyone else just piles on.
5. Downvotes are seen as a way to punish someone without facing the potential reprisal of commenting.

I came across as dismissive when I was actually trying to be constructive. If I were to restructure it now it would read more as a recommendation (such as this comment), than as a dismissive question.

Now on to the rest of your post:

First, I'm not American, I'm Australian. Perhaps there's not much of a difference to Europeans given how openly we've embraced neoliberalism and American foreign policy, but I still like to think we're our own country. ;)

Second, I'm not an advocate of fat shaming. But there's a difference between accepting people and coddling them.

We all do things that are adverse to our own best interests. You could criticize me for my occasional recreational drug use, or when I used to smoke. But I'm not going to argue that these are good things and certainly wouldn't criticize someone for having a negative opinion of them (or me for partaking in them). I accept that stigma. But that same stigma is also the primary reason I quit smoking. If that didn't exist I would likely still be a smoker.

Despite the claims of that article with respect to the biggest loser (which sounds more like a consequence of having lost weight so rapidly), being overweight is ultimately a lifestyle choice. One that can be improved upon. Instead people have begun to defend obesity as if tantamount to the prejudice gays or blacks have suffered, (something you are born into). This is deeply problematic and intellectually dishonest.

Overweight people shouldn't be subjected to ridicule, but they shouldn't be made to feel good about it either. They should still want to change. If not, all we'll end up with is a world full of Triggilypuff's.