Fatphobia is described as anti-fat where there is an implicit or explicit bias of overweight individuals that is rooted in a sense of blame and presumed moral failing, as per the Boston Medical Center. I do see a problem with fatphobia in our culture. I was an anti-fat person myself, I automatically didn’t want to befriend a fat person, and I swore I would never let myself go like that. But now, I’ve discovered several reasons a person might gain weight out of the blue and I have much more empathy. I hope my empathy comes through as I discuss the difference between fatphobia and medical facts.
I’ve heard the following phrase over and over again, “my doctor told me to lose weight for (insert reason here). My doctor is fatphobic!” I don’t see it that way, the reality is that the doctor is prescribing the most effective, sustainable, long term treatment for (insert reason here). The treatment has the least amount of risk and the most benefit.
I’m actually overweight myself due to a number of medications I take, an addiction to sugary sweets, an under active thyroid, and lack of exercise, not to mention I quit smoking just eight months ago. My doctor recently told me that losing some weight will help with my incontinence. This is a medical fact, not a judgement.
A weight of over two hundred pounds on a five foot three inches frame puts extra strain on organs and joints, and can interfere with bladder control. Cold hard facts don’t care if I’m insulted or if my feelings are hurt, they simply exist. It’s undeniable that losing weight has health benefits like reduced risk of diabetes, heart disease, joint pain, sleep apnea, and gerd, just to name a few. No wonder my doctor suggested it.
My understanding of the term fatphobia is that it has more to do with excluding overweight people or discriminating against them based solely on their size and has nothing to do with genuinely being concerned for their wellbeing. It’s being judgemental of overweight people as if they are solely to blame, and should be shamed for overeating. Not at all the same as the doctor suggesting that my health will improve with weight loss.
I’m not saying that doctors aren’t fatphobic, some probably are, but not when weight loss is suggested for the right reasons, with the right attitude and a generous amount of empathy. I also want to recognize that being bigger does not automatically make a person unhealthy or out of shape.
Photo courtesy of Pexels Free Photos
My Phoenix Rising 