Body shaming is the act of discriminating against individuals who are overweight or obese. It can takemany forms, including name-calling, teasing, bullying, and exclusion from social groups. Body shaming, or fat shaming, can occur in various settings, such as schools, workplaces, and even within families. Fat shaming is a pervasive issue in our society that affects individuals of all ages, genders, and backgrounds.

Studies have shown that individuals who experience fat shaming are more likely to engage in unhealthy behaviors, such as binge eating or avoiding exercise. This can further exacerbate physical health problems and create a vicious cycle of negative self-image and poor health outcomes. Additionally, fat shaming not only harms individuals, but also perpetuates harmful stereotypes and contributes to discrimination in society as a whole.

While some may view fat shaming as harmless teasing or joking, the reality is that it can have serious physical health consequences, such as increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and other health issues and emotional consequences such as depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem for those who experience it (Schluger). According to a TedTalk by Mary Jelkovsky, who has the mission to empower people to love themselves unconditionally, “We live in such an image driven society. Some call our
generation the selfie culture,” which means that even more people will have to deal with those physical and emotional consequences because they are aiming for what the society thinks of as a ‘perfect body’ (Jelkovsky). Furthermore, the media often portrays overweight individuals as lazy or lacking self-control, which reinforces negative attitudes towards them. When this happens, people become sad and might develop eating disorders. The consequences that people face are why it is crucial that communities
address this issue and work towards creating a more inclusive and accepting society for everyone.

The belief that some bodies are better than others can lead to discrimination in areas such as employment, healthcare, and education. For example, overweight individuals may be passed over for job opportunities or receive subpar medical care because of their weight (Sherrell). Fat shaming also contributes to the bullying and social exclusion of overweight children and adolescents. Body shaming can happen at school as well, which can affect many students: “Studies show, if girls and women are in a state of self objectification, they perform worse on math, reading comprehension and sports” (Jelkovsky). School is a place where students should feel included in the community, instead of being excluded and fat shamed just for how they look or for their family backgrounds.

In conclusion, the negative effects of fat shaming on individuals and society as a whole cause physical and emotional harm to those who are targeted. It is important that we promote body positivity and acceptance in order to create a healthy and inclusive society: “The goal of body positivity should not necessarily, or exclusively, be about image…but to be able to live comfortably in our bodies, use our bodies to experience pleasure, and learn from them” (Strauss). Body positivity is not about image, but about confidence because people should feel comfortable in their bodies and not get influenced by others’ opinions, as bodies of all shapes and sizes can function well and can be good. According to Dr. Lindsay Kite, “Body positivity isn’t believing that your body looks good, It’s knowing it’s good regardless of the way it looks.” We can all take action to combat fat shaming by being mindful of our language and actions, educating ourselves and others about the harm it causes, and promoting messages of positivity and acceptance. Let's work together to create a world where everyone feels valued and respected, regardless of their size or shape because “Your body is never the problem; it’s your body image” (Kite).

Works Cited

“Body Image.” YoungMinds, youngminds.org.uk/young-person/coping-with-life/body-image/. Accessed 23 Sept. 2023.

Cox, Janelle. “Curious about Body Shaming? Here’s What to Know.” Psych Central, Psych Central, 29 Mar. 2022, psychcentral.com/health/body-shaming. Accessed 22 Sept. 2023.

Gong, Isabella, director. Body Shaming | Isabella Gong | TEDxYouth@YCYWShanghai. TED,
ted.com/talks/isabella_gong_body_shaming/transcript. Accessed 23 Sept. 2023.

Jelkovsky, Mary, director. Our Bodies Are Not an Image. Amara, amara.org/videos/xlKnZjrVOp9t/en/2952630/. Accessed 20 Sept. 2023.

Kite, Lindsay, director. Body Positivity or Body Obsession? How to See More and Be More. More Than A Body, morethanabody.org/tedtalk-body-positivity-obsession/. Accessed 20 Sept. 2023.

Palumbo, Jennifer “Jay.” “The Body Positive Movement Encourages Inclusion, Not Obesity.” Forbes, forbes.com/sites/jenniferpalumbo/2022/05/12/how-the-body-positive-movement-doesnt-encourage-obesity-but-inclusion/?sh=689cc3d51737. Accessed 12 Sept. 2023

Schluger, Alice E. “Body Shaming: The Ef ects and How to Overcome It.” HelpGuide.Org,
helpguide.org/articles/abuse/body-shaming.htm. Accessed 21 Sept. 2023

Sherrell, Zia. “Weight Discrimination: Definition, Prevalence, and More.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, medicalnewstoday.com/articles/weight-discrimination#:~:text=Weight%20discrimination%20is%20when%20someone,settings%2C%20and%20in%20interpersonal%20relationships. Accessed 25 Sept. 2023.

Sosa, Emili Cruz. “Body Shaming: A Rising Problem in Teenage Culture.” Clark Chronicle,
clarkchronicle.com/features/2020/12/12/body-shaming-a-rising-problem-in-teenage-culture/. Accessed 21 Sept. 2023. Strauss, Elissa. “What Body Positivity Means to Today’s Teens.” CNN, Cable News Network,
edition.cnn.com/2021/09/13/health/teen-body-positivity-wellness/index.html. Accessed 21 Sept. 2023