It is not easy to be fat in America, even though government reports say more than a third of adults are obese (I just read that). My doctor gave me an online resource for weight challenged folks which includes some very interesting articles and studies.
From a political candidate disparaging a former Miss Universe winner who gained weight, to an actress referenced only because of her weight, to“funny” greeting cards featuring overweight people, it turns out that fat prejudice is everywhere. It starts early in life. And the overweight among you won’t be surprised to know that weight is the most common reason kids are bullied at school and chastised at home. A surprising 85% of teens report seeing overweight classmates teased in gym class – including by teachers.
The bullying problem is not limited to the United States. In one extensive study on this topic, the researcher found similar situations in Canada and Australia. One report concentrated specifically on “fat humor.” Comedians make broader use of fat jokes, and even overweight comedians use self-deprecating fat jokes. I wonder what’s different in our culture that produces and promotes body shaming?
There is even a stigma surrounding the way people lose weight! Many medical professionals feel the only method that is likely to lead to a large and permanent weight loss is bariatric surgery. But patients who lose weight that way often hesitate to reveal it because other overweight people think of it as “cheating.” I’ve had countless conversations that were mostly criticism of my diet plan and suggestions for a myriad of other things I should be doing instead.
Perhaps people don’t understand how profound the effects of a lifetime of shame and stigma can be on a person. My doctor gave me a booklet about this very topic – fat people are more prone to anxiety and depression, and weight shaming can set off rounds of binge eating. Fat people avoid exercise because they are embarrassed by their bodies and how they look in work out clothes or a swimsuit. This may come back to causation in our culture – but there is no neutrality about body shape. I think there even tends to be a public perception that fat shaming is okay because it will provide motivation to lose weight. It doesn’t. I’ve had two very blatant fat shaming incidents this week. One caused me to have a little emotional binge and one made me angry.
Experts say it’s improving in the US because of anti-bullying efforts and laws prohibiting discrimination against obese people in the workplace. But there’s a long way to go. Even public campaigns meant to prevent obesity carry an implicit message that anyone who really wants to (anyone who eats well and exercises regularly) can be thin. If only it were that simple. I’ve spoken before about how fat people tend to try all sorts of weight-loss programs. The fact is … If I could be thin, I would be! I know how many times that statement has come from my mouth. I certainly do not want to be fat. But fat shamers imply that it is within my power to lose substantial amounts of weight if I just make an effort. Or worse, that I am an embarrassment in my own skin.
An obesity researcher at Columbia is an advocate for understanding obesity as a disease. Once you lose weight, you’re not suddenly “cured.” It’s not just about eating less. Meanwhile, public health messages lead a fat person to feeling they are at fault, that weight is a matter of willpower only. I don’t have the answer, but I know that fat shaming is inexcusable. My niece had an experience with her daughter being body shamed at school. She said, “women have a lifetime to hate their bodies, I’m not letting anyone body shame my 6-year old.” Wish she could stand up for everyone!