Life Kit Pushing back against 'anti-fatness'
11 snips
Jan 17, 2023 Aubrey Gordon, author of "'You Just Need To Lose Weight': And 19 Other Myths About Fat People," challenges damaging societal views on body size. She highlights the flaws in BMI as a health measure and how anti-fatness marginalizes individuals. Gordon discusses the significance of self-identification and the need for precise language in conversations about body image. She shares personal experiences and emphasizes the importance of diverse representation in media, offering actionable steps to combat stigma and support fat individuals.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Anti-fatness
- Societal pressure to be thin is rooted in anti-fatness, according to Aubrey Gordon.
- Anti-fatness marginalizes fat people through beliefs, practices, and policies.
Body Size Factors
- Body size is not solely a choice, influenced by genetics, environment, health conditions, and social factors.
- Researchers acknowledge the complex interplay of these factors, challenging the simplistic 'choice' narrative.
BMI Origins and Limitations
- The BMI was developed by a mathematician using data from 19th-century white European men.
- Its effectiveness is limited, yet it's widely misused for individual healthcare, leading to inaccurate assessments and denial of care.
