Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society cover image

Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society

The Dark History of BMI & Fatphobia

Feb 18, 2025
In this engaging discussion, guest Amy Farrell, a Professor of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and author of "Fat Shame," uncovers the dark origins of BMI and fatphobia. She delves into how Enlightenment ideas shaped body categorization, revealing the biases that persist today. Farrell highlights the unique challenges women and people of color face due to societal standards. The conversation also critiques the relevance of BMI in health assessments and advocates for a more inclusive understanding of body image and health.
46:09

Episode guests

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Quick takeaways

  • The historical stigmatization of body sizes, particularly for women and people of color during the Enlightenment, created damaging perceptions that continue to influence societal norms today.
  • The Body Mass Index (BMI), rooted in flawed classifications, has become a problematic health measure that fails to recognize diverse body types and their implications for self-esteem.

Deep dives

The Impact of Enlightenment Ideals on Body Image

During the Enlightenment, societal norms around body types were influenced by flawed categorizations, particularly affecting women's bodies. Non-white and non-thin women were deemed uncivilized and unworthy, fostering damaging perceptions that persist today. This era not only shaped aesthetic standards but also entrenched ideas that linked body size with moral and racial hierarchies. Consequently, these historical biases continue to inform modern perspectives on body image and health.

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