[ennay]

I think one of the side effects of fat phobia is how loaded the word is. The other day I made what to me is a statement of fact. I. am. fat. It was not emotionally loaded. It is not self hatred or self shame. I am currently overweight by medical standards. I am doing something about it.

Instantly people rushed to my defense. The most common one I got was "You aren't fat, you are gorgeous". To which I replied. "I AM gorgeous. AND fat. They are not mutually exclusive." To me the reaction is such a proof of how ingrained fat prejudice has become. The word has become dirty by association.

When I reach healthy weight I never call myself fat. Merely not at racing weight.

[dragonwoman64]

I don't think an aversion to large amounts of fat is natural, I think it's cultural. There are present and past cultures who see large sized women as more attractive.

No one should have to hate herself or her body. I don't see how a large women in the media is a bad example and influence, but an extremely thin one is ok. Obviously it's prejudice. I've posted elsewhere here that it's easy to couch that prejudice in health terms, when, I believe, the core of the reaction stems from a cultural/social prejudice over health concerns.

That said, obesity does pose many health risks that shouldn't be just ignored. diabetes is serious. and high weight can lead to depression, which can be a serious mental health problem. too much excess weight can seriously affect quality of life.

it's the core of truth about health that gets mixed in with the prejudice. it lets people feel ok to be prejudiced and self righteous.

loved the post on empathy, totally agree with that too

[mgruce]

Society tells us "fat" is gross and everyone must be thin. I am obese, I know it. My nephews are gym freaks and only like extremely thin girls. We have these conversations all the time. You have to love who you are, whether you are going through a weight lost regime or not. Society shouldnt tell us there is something wrong with us. My friend is morbidly obese and is very comfortable in how big she is is open to discuss in public if people look at her or comment..