Anti-fat Attitudes
Introduction
Our society has a very negative view of overweight and obesity. They tell us that being fat is an extremely unattractive and undesirable way to be and is a state to be avoided at all cost. This hostility towards fatness has been compared to other common social prejudices, and the striking conclusion drawn is that anti-fat attitudes are currently at the stage that racism was some fifty years ago; namely, that anti-fat attitudes are overt, expressible and widely held (Crandall, 1994). More negative characteristics are associated with being fat than nearly any other stigma (Allon, 1982 as cited in Crandall & Biernat, 1990). An anti-fat attitude (or fatism) can be defined as a stereotype, prejudice, or discrimination based solely on an individuals perceived membership in a specific social group. Understanding the research that has uncovered the anti-fat sentiments that are held in our society is extremely important, as this provides some glimmer of insight into both the origin of the problem and possible means of eradication.
obesity
Picture of an Obese Teenager (146kg/322lb) with Ce...![[Doc Crandall & Fred Snodgrass, New York NL, at Polo Grounds, NY (baseball)] (LOC)](/uploads/2/24112/doc-crandall-fred-snodgrass-new-york-nl-polo-grounds-ny-bas.jpg)
[Doc Crandall & Fred Snodgrass, New York NL, at Po...Anti-fat biases are entrenched within our society, and therefore delving to the roots of their origin is a daunting task. Studies repeatedly indicate the pervasive nature of this issue, and reveal the negativity that is closely associated with these perceptions. Interestingly, studies indicate a definitive unconscious component to anti-fat biases, which serves to complicate the issue even further.
Constructs of obesity Stereotyping / Anti-fat Attitudes
Understanding how society expresses biases against obese individuals requires an understanding of the constructs of anti-fat attitudes. In other words, what is the basis of such biases? What is it about our society that creates these impressions and opinions in the first place?
It is important to understand that the degree to which issues of physical appearance are engraved in our society is indeed significant.
FATISM
This is a good essay. I believe that the anti-fat culture arises from Government propaganda. Here is why. Obesity is always correlated with unhealthiness. Any disease out there is pretty much put down to obesity. For example; heart attacks, you are told you are more at risk, and also we are told that fat people are more likely to suffer from diabetes. These "obesity" diseases then cost the Government millions of dollars in health care, so they publish fatism propaganda, and portray obese people in a negative light to attempt to make them conform to societal pressures and loose weight, ie. all those public health campaigns centre around healthy living and maintaining a "healthy" weight. The government doesn't realise that it increases the problem. It causes other weight issues such as anorexia nervosa and bulemia, which are equally or if not more dangerous than obesity itself. It also esculates the obesity problem as it usually results out of comfort eating due to societies damning nature giving obese people a low self-esteem and the belief that they are worthless. If the Government woke up and took a look at how it is dealing with the situation, obesity wouldnt be as rife. Methods based on negativity and prejudice towards others always produces negative results. To remedy the situation they should be looking at improving the value system of people and the image they have of them self, so as they feel confident to get off the couch, stop binge eating, and become an active, outgoing member of society.
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