Let’s Talk About Fat Phobia
All bodies deserve respect no matter the size
I want to take a minute to talk about fat phobia, what it is, how common it is, and what we can do about it.
This is one of those things that's embedded into our culture so deeply that many People do not even realize they are participating in it. But it matters. It harms people. And we can do better.
What Is Fat Phobia?
At its core, fat phobia (or weight stigma) is bias, fear, or discrimination against people in larger bodies.
It’s not just someone being mean (though there’s plenty of that). It shows up in everyday life in ways like:
Jokes or “concerns” about someone’s weight
Healthcare providers blaming every symptom on weight without looking deeper
Media barely showing fat people as complex, desirable, successful, or even just normal
Airplane seats( I am looking at you Southwest with your new airplanes now with smaller seats), chairs, or clothing that don’t fit or include everyone
It’s a whole system that says being fat is bad, unhealthy, unworthy, or something to be fixed.
How Common Is It?
Honestly? Very common.
Kids pick up anti-fat messages as early as preschool.
Doctors, teachers, employers, all of us have been taught to see thin as good and fat as bad.
People in larger bodies get passed over for jobs, earn less, and face routine discrimination.
Even well-meaning friends and family sometimes offer “helpful” comments that are really just shaming.
It’s so normal that people often don’t see it at all.
Why Does It Matter?
Because it causes real harm.
Weight stigma doesn’t make people healthier. It makes people avoid doctors, feel ashamed, and struggle with anxiety, depression, and eating disorders.
And let’s be clear: health is so much more than weight. Reducing a person to the size of their body erases everything else about them and overlooks all the social, genetic, economic, and psychological factors that shape health.
So How Do We Change This?
We start with ourselves. Here are a few places to begin:
1. Notice Your Own Thoughts
We all grew up in diet culture. Question the little voice that says:
“At least they’re trying to lose weight.”
“I’d never let myself get like that.”
Ask where those thoughts come from, and whether they’re fair or true.
2. Watch Your Words
Even compliments can reinforce fat phobia. For example:
“You look amazing—you lost weight!” This signals you are better now Because you lost weight.
What if we tried compliments like “You look so happy” or “It’s great to see you.”
3. Make Space for All Bodies
Support brands that carry extended sizes. Notice if public spaces are designed with everyone in mind. Advocate for better access.
4. Listen to Fat People
Instead of assuming what’s best for someone else’s body, listen to people living in larger bodies. Read their stories. Learn from their experiences. Believe them when they talk about discrimination.
5. Push Back
When you hear fat-shaming jokes, “concern trolling,” or casual cruelty, speak up. It doesn’t have to be a debate. Even a simple, “Hey, let’s not do that,” can make a difference.
Final Thoughts
Fat phobia is so immersed into our culture that it can be hard to see, but once you see it, you can’t unsee it.
We can choose to do better.
We can choose to treat people with respect, dignity, and compassion no matter their size.
We can work toward a world where all bodies are truly welcome.
It’s work worth doing.
Resources
Summary: The Body Is Not an Apology by Sonya Renee Taylor is a powerful call to embrace radical self-love—a daily, unwavering acceptance of one’s body and worth as an act of personal healing and a catalyst for social change. Grounded in an intersectional framework, the book exposes how systemic forces like racism, sexism, ableism, and the "body-shame profit complex" perpetuate body-based oppression, and invites readers to make peace with their bodies, honor differences, and take unapologetic action toward equity and collective compassion .
