The Acceptance of fatness. Prejudice against fatness in people is common in our society, and public health efforts to reduce obesity have made things worse, says a U.S.
academic. In her new book, “Why It’s OK To Be Fat,” Rekha Nath, an Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Alabama, calls for a significant change in how society views fatness. Nath argues that instead of seeing fatness as something to eliminate, society should view it through the lens of social equality and address the systematic discrimination against fat people.
Nath explains that being fat is seen as unattractive and a sign of weakness, greediness, and laziness. We treat the pursuit of thinness as a moral duty, associating it with health, fitness, beauty, and discipline. This negative view of fatness leads to discrimination against fat people.
They are bullied, harassed, and receive worse healthcare due to harmful stereotypes held by medical professionals. Classmates and teachers tease fat students, and fat people face widespread discrimination at work, which is legal in most places. According to research in the book, global obesity rates have tripled in the past 50 years.
The World Health Organization calls childhood obesity a significant global public health challenge. Nath explains that severe obesity is linked to lower life expectancy and higher risks of diabetes and heart disease. However, Nath also explores the science of weight and health beyond these figures.
She shows that die.
