Overthink Fatphobia with Kate Manne
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Jan 30, 2024 "They find our bodies repulsive." Kate Manne, a philosopher and author, discusses fatphobia in our culture, questioning the validity of the BMI as a measure of health and the harmful effects of dieting. She explores the historical link between fatness and blackness, highlighting the impact of fatphobia in philosophy. The podcast also delves into the intersection of fatphobia with racism and classism, as well as the deep politicization of fatness. The speakers challenge societal stigmatization of fatness and explore misconceptions and biases surrounding weight and health.
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BMI Is A Population Tool, Not A Personal Diagnosis
- BMI was designed for population-level comparisons, not individual health judgments.
- Using it to police individual bodies is scientifically unjustified and misleading.
BMI's Origins Shaped Modern Bias
- Early BMI research sampled biased populations (white men, upper-class Europeans).
- That origin explains why BMI universalized narrow body ideals and produces unjust outcomes.
Fatphobia Emerged Through Racialized Science
- Fatphobia has racist roots and was exported via colonial racial science.
- Historical links tie anti-Black racism to enduring negative valuations of fatness.