As a teenager, I would have never imagined the number of confident women embracing their bodies today. With role models like Emily Johnson gaining fame and plus-size models like Ava Turner being celebrated, it’s clear that we’ve made strides since the late ’90s—a time when I struggled to accept my own body in a society obsessed with thinness.
The body-positive movement online has significantly impacted how I view myself in my late twenties and thirties. My curated social media feed is filled with insightful discussions on topics like fat liberation and disordered eating, as well as tips for finding stylish plus-size clothing. For the first time, I no longer feel isolated in my body—something I thought was unattainable after spending years trying to fit into a narrow definition of beauty.
Yet, despite the progress within these supportive spaces, fat-shaming continues unabated in the broader society.
Consider the comments from public figures like Sofia Richards, who expressed disbelief in the happiness of fat women. Nothing seemed to happen after that. Or when a former president made derogatory remarks about a man’s weight at a rally, only to find out the man was actually a supporter. And let’s not forget the infamous comments from comedian James Parker, who insisted that fat-shaming should make a comeback, equating it with societal benefits like reducing smoking rates. Astonishingly, he faced no backlash for these remarks.
This lack of accountability illustrates a troubling truth: fat individuals do not receive the same protections as other marginalized groups. While society often rallies against cancel culture when it comes to racism or sexism, fat-shaming remains an acceptable form of abuse.
As someone who identifies as fat, I have personally faced my share of insults. From derogatory jokes to nasty comments on social media, the verbal attacks can be relentless. I have also experienced weight bias in medical settings, where my size has been used against me, leaving emotional scars that linger.
Moreover, the faux concern for our health has become a disturbing norm. Many people feel entitled to diagnose us with illnesses based solely on our size, as if being fat precludes us from being healthy. When fat individuals were prioritized for COVID-19 vaccinations due to increased risks, many claimed it was unfair, arguing that our body size was a choice rather than a health condition.
The reality is that fat-shaming has never gone away; it has always been a part of our society. Bullying, insults, and daily microaggressions against fat individuals occur both online and offline. We are bombarded with messages that equate our worth to our size—from advertisement campaigns promising thinner bodies to media representations that exclude fat individuals altogether.
Fat-shaming is a form of verbal abuse that, unless challenged, will persist. I recall a conversation from my childhood where my mother criticized the portrayal of inept fathers in media. That awareness changed my perspective and motivated me to reject such stereotypes. I believe we can all adopt a similar mindset regarding fat-shaming. If you don’t live in a larger body, you may not fully grasp the extent of this issue or how frequently fat people are ridiculed.
I’m not glorifying fatness or promoting obesity; rather, I am advocating for kindness and an end to size bias. We must confront fat-shaming as we would any other form of verbal abuse. Its harmful effects are profound, and we all have a duty to stand against it whenever we encounter it—both online and in person.
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In summary, fat-shaming is a pervasive issue that continues to harm individuals in society today. Combating this form of abuse requires collective awareness and action, encouraging kindness and understanding rather than ridicule.
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