The fat acceptance movement promotes the equality of fat people in society. The movement embraces fat people, draws awareness to size discrimination , and fights to eliminate it.
What Is the Fat Acceptance Movement?
The fat acceptance movement began in the 1960s; the first political event was a Central Park sit-in to protest size discrimination . The movement was formed to counter anti-fat discrimination as well as problematic societal ideals around beauty, dieting , and health.
In 1969, activists created The National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance. The organization is “dedicated to protecting the rights and improving the quality of life for fat people,” as their website states. This includes lobbying for change in politics , business, and the media.
Fat individuals can face discrimination in education , hiring, work compensation, medical care, the legal system, and other domains. For example, they contend with misdiagnoses because doctors may only prescribe weight loss or incorrectly attribute health concerns to the patient’s weight. Stigma during medical visits can also lead people to avoid appointments altogether, which can exacerbate health problems or lead to medical emergencies.
Size discrimination affects many people, 30 percent of American adults are overweight and 42 percent are obese, according to 2018 data from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Around the world, more than 1.9 billion adults are overweight and over 650 million are obese as of 2016, according to the World Health Organization.
The Psychology of Body Image and Acceptance
Size discrimination can take a tremendous psychological toll.
“I’ve been considered overweight since I was 8, and unfortunately I was surrounded by people who encouraged me to lose weight to gain dignity and respect. The idea that I was worth less because of the size of my body seeped into every area of my life,” writes Evette Dionne in Yes!
Facing stigma around body size and cultivating a healthy body image are complex processes. Understanding the causes and effects of social stigma can be a starting point.
Shaming and bullying can harm people’s well-being and confidence; these can also lead to social isolation . Research suggests that high school students who believed themselves to be overweight were more likely than their classmates to suffer from depression or attempt suicide .
Explore More About Fat Acceptance
For a comprehensive understanding of fat acceptance, read our complete guide: