{"id":6922,"date":"2023-08-28T02:17:20","date_gmt":"2023-08-27T19:17:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/?p=6922"},"modified":"2023-08-28T02:17:20","modified_gmt":"2023-08-27T19:17:20","slug":"how-anti-fat-bias-hurts-fat-people","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/?p=6922","title":{"rendered":"How Anti-Fat Bias Hurts Fat People"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"drop-cap text-big text-gray\"> <span class=\"drop-cap__first text-dropcap \">Y<\/span>ou\u2019ve already heard of racism, sexism, homophobia, and other forms of discrimination. But what about weight-based discrimination? A study in <em>Obesity<\/em> says anti-fat bias has <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/18356847\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/18356847\/\">increased by a whopping 66 percent<\/a>, and it\u2019s the only form of oppression that\u2019s still considered socially acceptable (though it shouldn\u2019t be).<\/div>\n<p>This type of oppression\u2014which may also be referred to as \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cambridge.org\/core\/books\/abs\/cambridge-handbook-of-the-psychology-of-prejudice\/weight-bias-prejudice-and-discrimination-toward-overweight-and-obese-people\/C994F3F0228A5BF84941A868C47C998D\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.cambridge.org\/core\/books\/abs\/cambridge-handbook-of-the-psychology-of-prejudice\/weight-bias-prejudice-and-discrimination-toward-overweight-and-obese-people\/C994F3F0228A5BF84941A868C47C998D\">weight bias<\/a>\u201d\u2014basically refers to the stigmatization, bullying, prejudice, and discrimination against people in larger bodies. And like race, gender, and sexual orientation, it\u2019s not in someone\u2019s control. While <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/diet-culture-lies\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/diet-culture-lies\/\">diet culture<\/a> pushes the idea that people in larger bodies are unhealthy and morally \u201cbad,\u201d that simply isn\u2019t the case. Yet, those people are still treated as if they don\u2019t deserve to exist or have the same opportunities and support.<\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<div class=\"experts-in-article noskim py-[24px] px-[40px]\">\n<p>Experts In This Article<\/p>\n<ul class=\"!ml-[18px]\">\n<li> <a href=\"https:\/\/equip.health\/aboutus\/\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/equip.health\/aboutus\/\">Cara Bohon, PhD<\/a> <\/li>\n<li> <a href=\"https:\/\/newyorkcitypsychotherapists.com\/gabriella-giachin-lmsw\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/newyorkcitypsychotherapists.com\/gabriella-giachin-lmsw\">Gabriella Giachin, LMSW<\/a>, Gabriella Giachin, LMSW, is a therapist with New York City Psychotherapy Collective.\u00a0 <\/li>\n<li> <a href=\"\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"\">Jillian Lampert, MD, RD<\/a> <\/li>\n<li> <a href=\"https:\/\/thriveworks.com\/provider\/ct\/kate-hanselman\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/thriveworks.com\/provider\/ct\/kate-hanselman\">Kate Hanselman, PMHNP<\/a>, Kate Hanselman is a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner with <a href=\"https:\/\/thriveworks.com\/hartford-counseling\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/thriveworks.com\/hartford-counseling\/\">Thriveworks in West Hartford, Conn.<\/a> who specializes in depression, coping skills, relationships, and life transitions. <\/li>\n<li> <a href=\"https:\/\/mayafellernutrition.com\/about\/\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/mayafellernutrition.com\/about\/\">Maya Feller, MS, RD, CDN<\/a>, registered dietitian and nutritionist <\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<hr\/>\n<p>Weight is not a sole and direct deciding factor of health. According to the World Health Organization, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.who.int\/news-room\/questions-and-answers\/item\/determinants-of-health\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" rel=\"nofollow\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.who.int\/news-room\/questions-and-answers\/item\/determinants-of-health\">the determinants of health<\/a> are endless, from income to genetics to where you live and more\u2014many of which can be affected by other systems of oppression at play, such as racism and classism.<\/p>\n<p>Anti-fat bias is not only unhelpful and based in fiction, but it\u2019s straight-up harmful, too. A study in <em>Clinical Diabetes<\/em> found that <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/26807008\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/26807008\/\">people who experience weight bias<\/a> are less likely to exercise, as well as more likely to binge eat, experience high blood pressure, distrust their doctor, feel stressed, and more. But that\u2019s just the beginning.<\/p>\n<div class=\"related-content \" style=\"\" data-module-init=\"related-content\" data-module-immediate=\"\" v-cloak=\"\">\n<div class=\"related-content__wrapper \" v-cloak=\"\" :class=\"{'is-loaded':isLoaded}\">\n<p> <span class=\"inline pr-6 text-seafoam-dark\">Related Stories<\/span> <\/p>\n<p> <related-content class=\"related-content__links\" parent-article-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/anti-fat-bias\/\" current-title=\"Anti-Fat Bias Is Real, From Movies to Healthcare Settings\u2014Here\u2019s How To Mitigate the Dangers\" current-image=\"IMG_2023-08-27-143334-425x285.jpg\" v-on:parsely-posts-loaded=\"onPostsLoaded\" start-date=\"2023-02-27\" tag=\"div\" inline-template=\"\" url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/anti-fat-bias\/\" secret=\"w5ztterVB03LGZJLfXS0hf3EvQBuFFIWew9hmVQxthU\" apikey=\"wellandgood.com\" limit=\"3\"> <\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"related-content__card mb-[10px] sm:mb-[20px]\" :class=\"{'related-content__card--full':posts.length === 1}\" v-for=\"(post, key) in posts\"> <a v-on:click.prevent=\"trackLinkGA($event, key)\" :href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/anti-fat-bias\/post.url\" data-url-source=\"related-content\" class=\"related-content__link\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"\"> <\/p>\n<div class=\"related-content__card--image bg-tan\" :style=\"{ backgroundImage: 'url(' + post.image_url + ')' }\"> <img :src=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/anti-fat-bias\/post.image_url\" :alt=\"post.title\"\/> <\/div>\n<p> <\/a>  <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> <\/related-content> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<h2>How anti-fat bias hurts fat people<\/h2>\n<p>The negative impacts of anti-fat bias are far-reaching, to say the least. Here are some of the main ways in which fat people are impacted by the stigma:<\/p>\n<h3>Physical health<\/h3>\n<p>One of the main places we see harm is, perhaps ironically, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/medical-weight-bias\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/medical-weight-bias\/\">at the doctor\u2019s office<\/a>. \u201cI have worked with clients <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/fat-shaming-medicine\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/fat-shaming-medicine\/\">who have gone to the doctor and been entirely dismissed<\/a>, being told that they just need to lose some weight, and are prescribed diet and exercise,\u201d says <a href=\"https:\/\/newyorkcitypsychotherapists.com\/gabriella-giachin-lmsw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/newyorkcitypsychotherapists.com\/gabriella-giachin-lmsw\">Gabriella Giachin<\/a>, LMSW, a therapist at <a href=\"https:\/\/newyorkcitypsychotherapists.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/newyorkcitypsychotherapists.com\/\">New York City Psychotherapy Collective<\/a>. \u201cMeanwhile, they have physical underlying health issues that are being entirely ignored, their pain being ignored, or their symptoms not being taken seriously.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>This form of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.apa.org\/news\/press\/releases\/2017\/08\/fat-shaming\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.apa.org\/news\/press\/releases\/2017\/08\/fat-shaming\">fat shaming can also lead to stress<\/a> (and the host of health issues that come from that), delayed medical visits, and undiagnosed medical conditions.<\/p>\n<p>Worried you will have or have had this experience? A few <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/signs-doctor-weight-bias\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/signs-doctor-weight-bias\/\">red flags that may indicate your doctor holds weight bias<\/a> include assuming how much you eat or exercise, ignoring <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/almond-mom-behavior\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/almond-mom-behavior\/\">a history of disordered eating<\/a>, and encouraging weight loss.<\/p>\n<h3>Livelihoods and careers<\/h3>\n<p>In short, anti-fat bias is everywhere. \u201cAnti-fat bias is implicit in today\u2019s culture,\u201d says <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mayafellernutrition.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.mayafellernutrition.com\">Maya Feller<\/a>, MS, RD, CDN, a registered dietitian nutritionist of Brooklyn-based Maya Feller Nutrition and author of <a href=\"https:\/\/clicks.trx-hub.com\/xid\/leafgroup_ca5e0_wellgood?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FEating-Our-Roots-Home-Cooked-Favorites%2Fdp%2F0593235088%2Fref%3Dtmm_hrd_swatch_0%3F_encoding%3DUTF8%26amp%253Bqid%3D%26amp%253Bsr%3D%26tag%3Dwgtrx11514-20%26asc_refurl%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.wellandgood.com%252Fanti-fat-bias%252F%26asc_source%3Ddirect%26asc_campaign%3Dno-campaign&amp;p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wellandgood.com%2Fanti-fat-bias%2F&amp;event_type=click\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Eating-Our-Roots-Home-Cooked-Favorites\/dp\/0593235088\/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&amp;qid=&amp;sr=\"><em>Eating from Our Roots: 80+ Healthy Home-Cooked Favorites from Cultures Around the World<\/em><\/a>. \u201cSociety normalizes, prioritizes, and rewards thinness.\u201d We see this from small seats on airplanes and rollercoasters, to Wii Fit\u2019s weight limit of 330 pounds, to the difficulty of finding clothing above a size 12 (though the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/17543266.2016.1214291?journalCode=tfdt20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/17543266.2016.1214291?journalCode=tfdt20\">average American woman is a size 16 to 18<\/a>), and much more.<\/p>\n<p>Commercials, TV shows, and other types of content illustrate this narrative, too. \u201cMedia shows us thin bodies laughing, eating bowls of salad, visiting the beach, and hanging out,\u201d Feller adds. \u201cAre these activities that are reserved for thin bodies?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Anti-fat bias is also present in the workplace. According to a study in <em>Economics and Human Biology<\/em>, <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/21820369\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/21820369\/\">for every six pounds an American woman gains<\/a>, her hourly pay drops by two percent. \u201cUnfortunately, there are no laws explicitly citing how unethical and irrelevant a judgment call like this is, which means employers can continue to mistreat employees in larger bodies,\u201d says <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/cara-bohon\/?trk=organization_guest_main-feed-card-text\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/cara-bohon\/?trk=organization_guest_main-feed-card-text\">Cara Bohon<\/a>, PhD, the senior vice president of clinical programs at <a href=\"https:\/\/equip.health\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/equip.health\/\">Equip<\/a> and clinical associate professor at Stanford University.<\/p>\n<p>People in larger bodies have to jump through extra hoops, and they shouldn\u2019t have to. \u201cYou are getting the not-so-subtle message that your body is not welcome and needs modification,\u201d Feller adds. \u201cThere isn\u2019t one instance that comes to mind where thinness is not at the center of interpersonal interactions.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3>Mental health<\/h3>\n<p>Given their life is filled with barriers and harsh judgments, it\u2019s no wonder that many people in larger bodies struggle emotionally. \u201cA culture that says that if you are of a certain size, it means that you must be lazy, or bad, or that you don\u2019t try hard enough or don\u2019t care about yourself or your health, leads to poor self-image, self-hatred, and a completely inaccurate self-image,\u201d says <a href=\"https:\/\/thriveworks.com\/provider\/ct\/kate-hanselman\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/thriveworks.com\/provider\/ct\/kate-hanselman\">Kate Hanselman<\/a>, PMHNP, a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner with <a href=\"https:\/\/thriveworks.com\/hartford-counseling\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/thriveworks.com\/hartford-counseling\/\">Thriveworks in West Hartford, Conn.<\/a> who specializes in depression, coping skills, relationships, and life transitions. As a result, you may also isolate yourself, feel intense shame, not be able to fully experience and enjoy your relationships, and more, she adds.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, weight bias can hurt your relationship with food and exercise, even <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/eating-disorder-resources\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/eating-disorder-resources\/\">turning into an eating disorder<\/a>. While a myriad of factors contribute to the development of an eating disorder, we would be remiss to not note the weight component. \u201cMany of the people we serve have eating disorders rooted at least in part in trying desperately to not be seen as fat by the culture,\u201d says <a href=\"https:\/\/accanto.com\/about-us\/leadership\/jillian-lampert\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/accanto.com\/about-us\/leadership\/jillian-lampert\/\">Jillian Lampert<\/a>, PhD, MPH, RD, LD, FAED, chief strategy officer of <a href=\"https:\/\/accanto.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/accanto.com\/\">Accanto Health<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>People with eating disorders aren\u2019t always thin, either. \u201cPeople with large bodies often go undiagnosed for an eating disorder because they don\u2019t \u2018look the part,\u2019 while some may be struggling with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/binge-eating-disorder\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/binge-eating-disorder\/\">binge eating disorder<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/what-is-atypical-anorexia\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/what-is-atypical-anorexia\">anorexia nervosa<\/a>,\u201d Dr. Bohon adds.<\/p>\n<h2>Anti-fat bias hurts people in smaller bodies, too<\/h2>\n<p>The benefits that come with being thin\u2014and the fear surrounding becoming fat\u2014are something we can all sense and be affected by. While fat people directly experience the most oppression, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/what-is-midsize\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/what-is-midsize\/\">people in bodies of all sizes<\/a> are affected by our weight-obsessed culture.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf you think that someone is healthy just because they are thin, especially in a medical setting, that means you\u2019re ignoring the fact that they may be starving themselves or overexercising to maintain that weight,\u201d Giachin says. \u201cYou\u2019re also not considering how much time and energy that person is spending thinking about their food, their body, their weight, etc.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Those behaviors can lead to a laundry list of health problems. \u201cRestrictive eating, excessive exercise, shame, anxiety, depression, and more become the mainstay,\u201d Feller says.<\/p>\n<h2>How we can address the dangers of anti-fat bias<\/h2>\n<p>While it\u2019s easy to feel powerless to all of these systemic issues, we\u2019re not. In fact, there are many ways we can make a change\u2014on a micro and macro level\u2014when it comes to size-based discrimination.<\/p>\n<h3>Think critically about our views and words<\/h3>\n<p>First, we have to be mindful of our thoughts and opinions about food, bodies, and people. Where do they come from? Who are they serving (and not serving)?<\/p>\n<p>Dr. Bohon says intentionally seeking out different viewpoints and experiences can help with this. Don\u2019t only learn from those individuals, but fight with and for them, too. \u201cIt\u2019s also vital to support fat-positive initiatives and advocate for fat acceptance,\u201d she says. \u201cDuring this process, people may identify challenges in their own body image concerns, and addressing those can be important to reduce anti-fat bias.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Then, what can an outward expression look like? \u201cWe can also be really aware of how we speak about others, their bodies, and the messaging we reinforce in our daily lives,\u201d Giachin says. She gives the example of not commenting on someone\u2019s appearance.<\/p>\n<h3>Neutralize the topic of weight<\/h3>\n<p>Further, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/bethany-c-meyers-motherhood-body-neutrality\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/bethany-c-meyers-motherhood-body-neutrality\/\">body neutrality<\/a> (which differs from body positivity) has helped many people have a healthier and happier relationship with their body. It\u2019s a more productive and effective way to view bodies, which are vessels that help us do things and not reflections of morals or habits.<\/p>\n<p>Hanselman shares an example statement you can say to yourself\u2014\u201cI have a body and it does things for me\u201d\u2014which she says has felt attainable and helpful for her clients. \u201cNot only can this be an easier shift from the narrative of hating one\u2019s body, which this culture perpetuates at any size, but it can provide more of a mindful focus on partnering with our bodies that support us all day long,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s important to do this without being ableist, however, as some people\u2019s bodies can\u2019t do as much. So again, remember to take out any morality related aspects. \u201cA triathlete is not better than someone who walks with a cane because of a knee injury\u2014they\u2019re just different,\u201d Hanselman adds.<\/p>\n<h3>Make spaces for these conversations<\/h3>\n<p>If we don\u2019t talk about these harms on a large scale, we won\u2019t be able to get anywhere as a society. \u201cWe must raise awareness about the harms of anti-fat bias, the complexities of weight, and the negative impacts of weight stigma,\u201d Dr. Bohon says.<\/p>\n<p>Our work doesn\u2019t end there. \u201cWe also need to enact laws that protect people from weight bias in the workplace, healthcare, and everywhere else,\u201d she adds. This is one of many reasons why voting and being involved in politics\u2014at the local and national level\u2014is so important. And it\u2019s happening, slowly but surely: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CsIJ_k0LL-R\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CsIJ_k0LL-R\/\">New York recently passed legislation<\/a> to stop height and weight discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodation spaces.<\/p>\n<h3>Call people in<\/h3>\n<p>Holding each other accountable is a crucial piece, too. \u201cUrge others to consider the harm they are doing to others and themselves when they engage in anti-fat bias behaviors,\u201d Lampert says, listing name calling, snide comments and looks, criticism on social media, dismissing fat people, making jokes, and dieting as examples. In a gentle, clear, and kind manner, she encourages doing this in front of children, especially, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/anti-fat-bias-kids\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/anti-fat-bias-kids\/\">who learn from our behaviors<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>Embrace a Health at Every Size (HAES) model<\/h3>\n<p>While <a href=\"https:\/\/asdah.org\/health-at-every-size-haes-approach\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/asdah.org\/health-at-every-size-haes-approach\/\">HAES<\/a> isn\u2019t a perfect framework\u2014you may have heard about the <a href=\"https:\/\/asdah.org\/lindo-accountability\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/asdah.org\/lindo-accountability\/\">controversies related to Lindo Bacon<\/a>, who wrote a book on the topic\u2014it\u2019s probably the best and most mainstream one we have at the moment. In a nutshell, it promotes health equity, supports ending weight discrimination, and works to improve access to quality healthcare regardless of size.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s time to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/health-at-every-size\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/health-at-every-size\/\">implement HAES<\/a> on a larger scale. \u201cThis goes for healthcare settings, school settings, and within the diet\/health\/fitness industry,\u201d Giachin says.<\/p>\n<h3>Give to creators and supporters of this cause<\/h3>\n<p>Diet culture thrives, in part, due to capitalism\u2014but we can flip the script. \u201cWe can also support, with our dollars and voices, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/size-inclusive-brands\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/size-inclusive-brands\/\">retailers<\/a>, authors, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/tiktok-health-every-size-influencers-essay\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/tiktok-health-every-size-influencers-essay\/\">influencers<\/a>, [and] other creators that are addressing anti-fat bias, [using] our efforts toward broader change,\u201d Lampert says.<\/p>\n<h3>Know your role<\/h3>\n<p>While we can all address these pieces, most of the work is reserved for those who have the most privilege (and are therefore most likely to be listened to). \u201cIt is the duty of thin people to check their privilege by calling out anti-fat bias where they see it, and to practice enough self-love and self-knowledge to ensure they are not contributing to it,\u201d Hanselman says.<\/p>\n<p>Ultimately, our words and behaviors should boil down to one thing: respect. \u201cBodies come in all shapes and sizes, and our bodies each have different needs in terms of fuel, energy and exercise,\u201d Giachin says. \u201cRegardless of the size of your body, people deserve proper healthcare treatment and opportunities in all areas of their lives.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"disclaimers__after_content mb-[18px] mt-[16px] pt-[16px]\">\n<div class=\"outline-earmark relative mt-[8px] pt-[10px] pl-[20px]\">\n<p>\n            Our editors independently select these products. Making a purchase through our links may earn Well+Good a commission.          <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><script async defer src=\"https:\/\/platform.instagram.com\/en_US\/embeds.js\"><\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><div data-type=\"_mgwidget\" data-widget-id=\"1675549\">\r\n<\/div>\r\n<script>(function(w,q){w[q]=w[q]||[];w[q].push([\"_mgc.load\"])})(window,\"_mgq\");\r\n<\/script>\r\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>You\u2019ve already heard of racism, sexism, homophobia, and other forms of discrimination. But what about weight-based discrimination? A study in Obesity says anti-fat bias has increased by a whopping 66 percent, and it\u2019s the only form of oppression that\u2019s still considered socially acceptable (though it shouldn\u2019t be). This type of oppression\u2014which may also be referred &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":6923,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6922","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6922","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6922"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6922\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/6923"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6922"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6922"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6922"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}