Why Your Assumptions About “Promoting Obesity” Are Completely Off Base

I’m fed up with random internet users dictating what I should do with my body. The other day, while celebrating my birthday on Instagram in my fabulous plus-sized skin, I was met with an outpouring of love from women who appreciate my journey toward self-acceptance. They’re the reason I share my story, and their support brightens my day amidst the constant societal pressure to lose weight.

However, there are always those who feel compelled to offer unsolicited opinions. They see a happy fat woman and immediately assume I’m “promoting obesity” because I don’t share my diet or exercise routine. They bombard me with questions about health issues supposedly tied to weight gain and wonder why I don’t take better care of myself. Some even twist my narrative of overcoming an eating disorder into accusations of swinging from one extreme to another.

One particularly memorable comment came from a woman who innocently stumbled upon my page and decided to ask, “What do your health labs say? Do you have any weight-related health issues like diabetes or hypertension? Loving yourself at any size is important, but you can’t love yourself if you’re not around due to health problems.”

Sure, Brenda, I know what my lab results say—they’re perfectly fine. But honestly, my health status is (A) none of your business and (B) not tied to my worth as a human being.

Dissecting the Damaging Mindset

Let’s dissect this damaging mindset. This advocate of diet culture implies that health issues are exclusively “weight-related,” when in reality, thin individuals can just as easily face health challenges. A compelling study found that individuals with high blood pressure but a “normal” BMI have the same risk for heart attacks or strokes as those classified as obese. Additionally, some past research suggests that lean individuals with hypertension may experience worse health outcomes than their heavier counterparts.

A separate study involving over 100,000 adults in Denmark revealed that those with slightly elevated BMIs tended to live longer than thin individuals. This research also showed that people categorized as “medically obese” had the same mortality risk as those in the “normal” BMI range, regardless of various lifestyle factors.

But wait, there’s more! Did you know that research indicates thin people who are unhealthy are twice as likely to develop diabetes compared to fit fat individuals? And up to 75% of those classified as “medically obese” are metabolically healthy?

Addressing the misconceptions of fatphobia is exhausting, yet I feel compelled to do so. I’m tired of the prejudice and discrimination that permeates our society, and I refuse to remain silent about it.

The Origins of Body Positivity

Interestingly, this frustration parallels the origins of the body positivity movement, which was initially rooted in social justice. It emerged from the fat acceptance movement of the 1960s, aiming to uplift and advocate for marginalized fat individuals. Over time, it has expanded to include people of all sizes, shapes, ethnicities, genders, and abilities.

Unfortunately, the movement has often been co-opted by thin, white women, leading many to misunderstand its original intent. Body positivity is not just about accepting a bit of extra jiggle; it was designed to empower those who have long been marginalized.

As fat activist and writer Ari Bines notes, the essence of body positivity is akin to fighting against sizeism, similar to how #BlackLivesMatter addresses racial injustice. Those who feel threatened by the message of body positivity often react like the “All Lives Matter” crowd, trying to erase the struggles of marginalized individuals.

Addressing Concerns

So, to everyone who accuses me of “promoting obesity” while claiming I’m endangering my health, I understand your concern. I see how you might feel that I’m harming myself and others by encouraging women to love themselves at any size. I recognize that you want to model better behavior for future generations.

But honestly? You can all kiss my fat ass. The National Eating Disorder Association has pointed out that the primary environmental factor leading to eating disorders is our societal obsession with thinness. It’s time to stop shaming fat individuals and start questioning the toxic cultural conditioning that drives such criticism in the first place.

Where were all these critics when I was a teenager battling diet pills, binge eating, and extreme dieting just to fit into society’s narrow beauty standards? When I was struggling, I didn’t see anyone speaking up against the damaging narratives surrounding thinness.

Rejecting Diet Culture

Let’s clarify something: rejecting diet culture doesn’t mean advocating for reckless eating habits. Every time I challenge the profit-driven weight loss industry, people assume I’m promoting an unhealthy lifestyle. In reality, I prioritize nourishing my body and celebrating my health. I’ve embraced Intuitive Eating and Health at Every Size and have permanently distanced myself from the toxic diet culture.

Lastly, no one is “promoting obesity” if we don’t label obesity itself as inherently bad. Just as some thin individuals face health challenges, so do those in larger bodies. To assume that larger individuals don’t take care of themselves is a harmful stereotype that needs to be dismantled. The rhetoric surrounding “promoting obesity” is rooted in ignorance and intolerance, which is precisely why movements like body positivity are essential.

Conclusion

In summary, embracing body positivity and rejecting diet culture is not about promoting unhealthy habits; it’s about advocating for self-love and acceptance, regardless of size. It’s a movement grounded in social justice that aims to uplift marginalized voices and challenge damaging societal norms.