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           I see it every day on social media, and each time, it disgusts me. The culprits are usually men, but occasionally, women are guilty of it, too. Regardless of who is doing the fat shaming, it is wrong, and it needs to stop. The comments I see directed toward women who are larger or “overweight” are vile, sexist, and downright repulsive. In this writing, I will provide two examples of some of the comments I have seen directed toward heavier-set women and the repercussions that fat shaming can have on both the mental and physical health of individuals receiving the shame and abuse, and the causes of obesity and higher body mass indexes (BMI).  

            In a Facebook group where people who live in my community can share their thoughts, opinions, businesses, and more, a woman shared information about her small business. She was a heavier woman who wore a dress that was in no way too revealing aside from some cleavage, and it was not even a lot or in your face. If anything, the dress, I would say, was very formal. A man commented and shamed her for her weight and told her to respect herself and the body that God gave her, and if she did, she wouldn’t wear such a dress. I read this comment and then felt that I had to reply, so I did. I told the man that there was nothing wrong with the dress and that the Bible tells us that our body is our temple, but God does not tell us to be ashamed of it, which also means our weight. I also told him that if her dress bothers him that much, then there are deeper issues within him that he needs to address.

            Other comments left were things such as one man making vulgar comments about her large breasts and a woman saying something along the lines of “No wants a fat slob.” Not only is this rude, but some men like larger women, so this woman’s comment was also incorrect. Somebody else assumed her diet was poor and suggested she go on a weight loss plan.

            Another post in a different group included a video of a fashion show in Paris. The video was of models walking down the runway with their outfits on, and then there came a plus-size model. The comments left by men were disgusting. Some said things like “pigs shouldn’t be models” and some very distasteful things about her weight. In a world where the media tells us that the ideal woman is twig-thin and most likely unhealthy, a plus-size model must have much confidence to be on the same stage as thin women, knowing that men and other women will judge them. They should have confidence as they have nothing to be ashamed of. People should be confident and happy with who they are.

           

Mental And Physical Health Effects of Fat Shaming

         As we judge others by how they look, we fail to recognize the significant impact this behavior can have on the person being judged.

            According to a 2021 article on CNN.com, “Over half of surveyed overweight adults in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the UK, and the United States say they have experienced fat-shaming from doctors, family, friends, classmates, and coworkers that led to self-blame and avoidance of health care” (LaMotter, 2021). This means that people who are overweight are less likely to seek medical care due to being judged by their weight. Doctors are very likely to judge their patients because of their weight. A study conducted in the countries mentioned above found that between 63% and 74% of the people surveyed said they felt belittled when visiting healthcare providers. The shame is no different at home or from family. 76%-88% of those polled have experienced weight-shaming from a parent, sibling, spouse, or other family member at multiple points in their life, including childhood and adulthood.

            22%-30% of people surveyed stated that they experienced weight shaming as early as age 10. School and work are also places where people are often shamed by their weight, with 54%-62% of those polled saying they were bullied in school because of their weight, and 54%-62% stated they had been fat-shamed in the workplace. Friends are no different, as 49%-56% of participants said friends shamed them for their weight (LaMotter, 2021).

            The National Center for Biotechnology Information reported that many harms can come from fat shaming, including psychological and behavioral changes that are linked to poor metabolic health and increased weight gain. Angela Alberga, an assistant professor in the Department of Health, Kinesiology, and Applied Physiology at Concordia University, states that stress can result in a loss of self-control, cortisol spikes, and binge eating. Fat shaming can also be linked to depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, eating disorders, and the avoidance of exercise (NIH).

Causes Of Obesity

              

               The stigma associated with obesity or those who have a higher body mass index is that they are lazy, do not exercise, and have a poor diet. Diet and a lack of physical activity are only one cause. Another cause, according to the NIH National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, is stress, which results in the creation of more hormones in the body, such as cortisol, which controls hunger urges and energy balances. Other factors are a lack of sleep. Genetics also plays a factor. Researchers have discovered 15 genes that can influence obesity and may play a larger role in obesity.

            Medications, such as antidepressants, beta-blockers, insulin, and others, can also increase obesity by changing the chemical composition of the brain and disrupting the chemical signals that tell the brain that you are hungry (NIH).

Conclusion

           

             Fat-shaming and discrimination is no different than racial discrimination or other types of discrimination directed at an individual or a particular group. There are many reasons an individual may have a higher BMI, but these are not as simple as poor diet or lack of exercise. The psychological and physical side effects of fat shaming are damaging.

            We must understand the reasons behind obesity and higher BMIs and how our reactions impact those of this demographic. Furthermore, those who have a higher BMI must not let the cruelness or judgment of others bother them. Instead, it is in their best interest to be confident in their weight and body and make the best choices for them. Explore ways such as therapy or other methods to become comfortable with your body and develop the confidence of the plus-size model mentioned at the beginning of this article, who strutted her stuff at a Paris fashion show and probably did not care what others thought. Before you judge a larger person, think about how you would like to be judged and what Jesus would say about your judgment if you consider yourself a Christian, and remember the side effects your shaming can have.

 

Fat-shaming by doctors, family, classmates is a global health problem, studies find

By Sandee LaMotte, CNN

Updated 3:10 PM EDT, Tue June 1, 2021 https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/01/health/fat-shaming-weight-stigma-wellness/index.html

 

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6565398/

 

Causes and Risk Factors https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/overweight-and-obesity/causes