Fat Shaming: The Harm It Causes and How to Overcome It

Jenna walked into the crowded room feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety. She overheard a group of people laughing then caught a few words about her weight. Her heart sank. Their comments echoed in her mind and she began to hide herself in oversized clothes withdrawing from friends and family. Her once bright spirit dimmed. She avoided places she used to enjoy feeling that others saw her only through a harsh, judgmental lens. Over time, the hurtful words weighed heavily on her heart, leaving her questioning her own worth. This is just one out of many stories of individuals in our society who experience weight discrimination.

Fat shaming refers to the act of mocking, criticizing, or discriminating against individuals because of their body size or weight. This behavior is pervasive in media, healthcare, and social interactions, creating harmful stereotypes. It contributes to negative self-perception and stigma. Despite societal beliefs that fat shaming might “motivate” individuals to lose weight, research indicates the opposite effect: fat shaming often leads to weight gain, emotional distress, and avoidance of health care. Fat shaming, a form of weight-based discrimination, negatively impacts individuals’ physical and mental health. It intensifies conditions such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and even physical ailments like cardiovascular disease.

The Dangers of Fat Shaming

1. Mental Health Consequences
Several empirical evidences have confirmed the adverse effects of fat shaming on mental health. Weight stigma is a significant predictor of psychological distress, including increased rates of depression, anxiety, and body dissatisfaction. It can possibly lead to body dysmorphia. Puhl and Brownell found that individuals who experience weight stigma are more likely to develop eating disorders and engage in unhealthy eating behaviors such as binge eating.¹

In a longitudinal study, researchers found that weight discrimination was associated with greater depressive symptoms and poorer psychological functioning over time. The authors contend that fat shaming does not lead to improved health outcomes, but instead worsens mental health contributing to a vicious cycle of weight gain and emotional distress.²

2. Physical Health Implications
Fat shaming not only affects mental health but also has serious physical consequences. “Nine tenths of diseases originate in the mind.”³ Weight stigma has been linked to higher levels of cortisol, the stress hormone that can contribute to and aggravate long-term health conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease ⁴ Chronic exposure to stigma may lead to increased stress resulting in overeating as a coping mechanism and subsequent weight gain.

Consequently, fat shaming often deters individuals from seeking medical care, fearing judgment or humiliation from healthcare providers. This avoidance can delay diagnosis and treatment of serious conditions, further exacerbating health disparities. Vogel, in an article titled, “Fat Shaming is Making People Sicker and Heavier,” highlighted that “more than three in five adults with obesity encounter weight bias from health professionals,” according to Obesity Canada. Some medical ethicists even argue that this social pressure is justified to promote weight loss.⁵

3. Impact on Social Relationships
Weight stigma also damages interpersonal relationships leading to social isolation and feelings of loneliness. Fat shaming in social settings, whether in school, work, or social media, fosters environments where individuals feel excluded or devalued based on their appearance. These negative experiences contribute to reduced social support which is a crucial factor for mental and physical health.

In the US, studies show that those with larger bodies experience lower preference in selection as friends starting in the school yard. It extends up through adolescent and adult relationships including romantic ones. That is, body weight predicts different friendship opportunities or decisions. Perceptions and experiences of social distancing, isolation, loneliness, and rejection (the opposite of friendship) are associated with a greater expression of depression symptoms ⁶

How to Handle Fat Shaming

Fat shaming presents significant damage to those who experience it. Adapting strategies that counteract its harmful effects and promoting a more inclusive, compassionate society can be healing to those affected. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Promote Body Positivity and Acceptance
One way to combat fat shaming is by promoting body positivity which encourages the acceptance of all body types regardless of size or shape. The body positivity movement challenges the cultural norms that equate thinness with health or worth. Instead it emphasizes self-love, body acceptance, and respect for diversity. Studies have shown that adopting body positive attitudes can improve self-esteem and reduce the negative impact of weight stigma. Tylka and Wood-Barcalow found that body appreciation and acceptance are associated with better psychological well-being, including lower levels of depression and anxiety.⁷

A few ways to promote body positivity and acceptance are to be mindful of how we speak about our bodies in casual conversations with friends and family. It includes how we speak about someone else’s body. Focusing more on the functionality of our bodies and the positive things they can do for us may help support and improve body image. If body image concerns are causing significant distress, it may be appropriate to seek out further support in the form of psychological therapies and promote body image sensitivity. Public health campaigns can be implemented to focus on messages of healthy eating and exercise for all diverse groups, regardless of weight, and avoid making weight the key focus of their messaging.

2. Create Supportive Healthcare Environments
Healthcare professionals can play a critical role in reducing fat shaming by creating non-judgmental, supportive environments that focus on health rather than weight. By using neutral, respectful language and focusing on behaviors rather than body size, healthcare providers can encourage patients to seek care without fear of stigma. For instance, teach the laws of health that promotes mindful eating, stress management, and regular physical activity leading to better health outcomes without promoting weight loss as the sole measure of success ⁸

3. Discourage Fat Shaming 
Discouraging fat shaming involves fostering a culture of compassion, inclusivity, and respect for each individual’s journey. Understanding the many contributors to obesity (genetics, hormone dysregulation, gut dysbiosis, disturbed circadian rhythms, sleep deprivation obesogenic substances in the environment, childhood trauma, and economic factors) is a good start.

Effective strategies such as teaching a Biblical view of worth and health can be helpful. Emphasize teachings that affirm each person’s inherent worth as made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). Remember that God values the heart, not the outward appearance (1 Samuel 16:7). Clarify that health is about caring for our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20), rather than fitting an ideal body image.

4. Model Compassionate Leadership
We can model positive behavior by treating everyone with respect and avoiding judgmental language about weight or appearance. When health is discussed, leaders can use gentle language, reminding the community that change takes time and that everyone’s journey is personal and deserves understanding. By creating a supportive culture that values people for their inner character and spiritual growth, health advocates and medical professionals can build communities where each individual feels respected and empowered to grow in all areas of life.

Conclusions

The dangers of fat shaming are well-documented with profound impacts on mental health, physical health, and social relationships. Rather than motivating individuals to adopt healthier behaviors, fat shaming perpetuates a cycle of emotional distress, weight gain, and avoidance of care. Addressing fat shaming requires promoting body positivity, creating supportive healthcare environments, and challenging harmful stereotypes.

By fostering a culture of acceptance and understanding, we can work towards reducing the harmful effects of weight stigma and supporting the well-being of individuals of all body sizes. God’s words provide encouragement, affirming that every person’s worth is established in God’s love and that their beauty and value go far beyond physical appearance.

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Works Cited:

Hunger, J. M., Smith, J. P., & Tomiyama, A. J. (2015). An evidence-based rationale for adopting weight-inclusive health policy. Social Issues and Policy Review, 9(1), 58-94.Phelan, S. M., Burgess, D. J., Yeazel, M. W., Hellerstedt, W. L., Griffin, J. M., & Ryn, M. (2015). Impact of weight bias and stigma on quality of care and outcomes for patients with obesity. Obesity Reviews, 16(4), 319-326.

 

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2. Sutin, A. R., Stephan, Y., & Terracciano, A. (2016). Weight discrimination and risk of mortality. Psychological Science, 27(11), 1650-1656. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1038/oby.2006.208 [↩]
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