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Impact of Fat-Shaming and Fat Talk in Social Media
Thanks to the rampant access to technology and widespread use of social media, talk of food, dieting, and exercise has proliferated. Popular social media sites, such as twitter, facebook, and instagram have become hot spots for various diet fads, as “hashtags” can allow for quick access to any sort of diet or exercise regime that is trending. It is not uncommon for pictures to be posted that portray food and bodies in various contexts, quickly evolving the talk of eating or exercise to become part of everyday conversation.
The danger of this lies in the trap of “fat talk”, where casual conversation of food and weight can quickly progress into negative deliberations about oneself. Some individuals may simply find themselves “triggered” by the extensive display of foods and bodies saturated over social media, and this in itself could be cause for low self-esteem or lack of confidence. What might begin as a harmless musing into the latest diets trending on twitter could become a platform for self-destruction if left unchecked.
You might ask yourself, what is the danger in fat talk? What is the harm in engaging in something that seems as common as checking your facebook newsfeed on your smart phone?
Actually, research from the Notre Dame Body Image and Eating Disorder Lab has shown that women who engage in “fat talk” are less liked by their peers and have a stronger risk for developing body dissatisfaction, which is a recognized factor for the development of eating disorders. These findings were made in a study that analyzed college-age women who were presented with a series of photos of women engaging in either “fat talk” or positive body talk. Interestingly, researchers found that women in the photos were rated most likeable when positive statements were made about themselves, regardless of their body size or weight. Women in the photos were rated considerably less likeable when “fat talk” statements were made about their bodies, whether or not they were overweight.
Alexandra Corning, director of Norte Dame’s Body Image and Eating Disorder Lab, noted the significance of these findings: “These findings are important because they raise awareness about how women actually are being perceived when they engage in this self-abasing kind of talk. This knowledge can be used to help national efforts to reduce ‘fat talking’ on college campuses.”
More than preoccupation about likeability is the concern about character building. Eating disorders thrive in the shadows of negativity and low self-esteem. By fighting against the urges to engage in destructive fat talks, the susceptibility of an eating disorder will be greatly diminished.
Choosing the course that you wish your life to unfold by is made by simple decisions on a daily basis. You can choose to invite positivity, warmness, and optimism into your future, simply by avoiding conversations that may drag you down, like “fat talk”. Even in light of the powerful force of social media, you can choose to use these venues as opportunities for building up yourself and others.
What is one way you can counter the trends of “fat talk”?
Celebrity Fat Shaming
Celebrity body-shaming has sadly become proliferant with the help of social media, with people immediately taking their thoughts about others’ bodies to Twitter, Facebook, etc., instigating public sparring.
Lady Gaga, one of the most recent celebrity victims of body-shaming, where the 30-year old singer’s body and appearance became a central focal point of discussion after her 2017 Super Bowl Halftime performance.
In response to the body-shaming and critical comments about her appearance, Gaga took to her Instagram to respond, writing, “I heard my body is a topic of conversation so I wanted to say, I’m proud of my body and you should be proud of yours too.
No matter who you are or what you do. I could give you a million reasons why you don’t need to cater to anyone or anything to succeed. [1]” Gaga went on to thank her supporters as she utilized her social media platform to speak out against body shaming.
Public Trends of Body Shaming
Unfortunately, these trends of publicly shaming celebrities’ bodies has become the cultural norm. With celebrities often being in the spotlight for events, entertainment, etc. our society has learned to hyperfocus on perceived body flaws rather than the value these celebrities contribute with their talents and artistic abilities.
However, more celebrities are beginning to speak out against body-shaming, bringing attention to the negative effects and consequences that result from these behaviors.
Actor Wentworth Miller penned a eye-opening response after being subject to criticism due to recent weight gain. Miller took this opportunity to share about his struggle with depression and suicidal ideations, encouraging others to reach out for help if they find themselves struggling with similar issues.
Other celebrities are able to boldly retaliate against the unrealistic body standards of Hollywood.
Comedian Amy Schumer took her thoughts on her body to her audience for her newest stand-up show, Amy Schumer: The Leather Special. Discussing her thoughts on having to lose weight for her role in her first movie Trainwreck and lessons learned after gaining it back, Schumer noted, “I am what Hollywood calls ‘very fat.’
You know me. I feel very good in my own skin. I feel strong. I feel healthy. I do. I feel sexy. [2]” Schumer also discussed how much happier she felt with her body at her original weight, rather than when at her lowest weight.
Sadly, body-shaming occurs among both men and women of all different shapes and body sizes. Actor Val Kilmer took to his Facebook page to share, “Too heavy for too many years and now gossip says, too thin!”
Body shaming has included both criticisms of being “too fat”, or “too skinny”, often picking on flaws that completely irrelevant. Many magazines, social media platforms, and advertisements contribute to body-shaming in ways that have started to normalize these damaging behaviors.
Many TV shows and movies have fallen into this pattern as well, where the “fat” character is often the subject of criticism and comic relief. With the trending behaviors of celebrity fat shaming on social media, it is important to understand the potential consequences that may arise.
Unwanted Consequences of Body-Shaming
For the man, woman, girl, or boy that has also been the victim of body-shaming, the cultural trend of these behaviors among celebrities can be further damaging.
Psychologist and body image expert Sari Shepphird shared, “Within our culture, it’s a fair game now to comment on a woman’s weight, regardless of age”, and perhaps, this trend publicly displayed with celebrities has negatively reinforced body negativity [3].
For an individual who may be biologically susceptible to having an eating disorder, exposure to body-shaming within our culture can be especially triggering and damaging.
While the media and negative trends observed cannot be blamed as the sole culprit for the development of eating disorders, behaviors like body-shaming can have a trickle down effect to individuals as a whole.
As regular media consumers, it is important to proactively review the types of things that are filling social media news feeds, reading materials, and more and to take steps toward body-positivity.
If you find yourself triggered by the negativity caused by celebrity body-shaming, take positive steps against these damaging effects. Become a body-positive activist and stay regularly engaged with people who also support this mindset.
Hold the Fat Talk
“I’m so fat”; “I think I just gained like 5 pounds.” “There’s no way I can eat that without getting fat!”, “I know I look so fat and disgusting wearing this!”
Fat comments. Seething through the lips of many as casually as talk about the weather and who won the latest football game. It’s become an innate part of our culture, but what does this reflect about the nature of us as human beings? What is this causing us to evolve into?
Though “Fat Talk” is seemingly harmless to many, the damage done goes far deeper than our awareness allows us to realize. After all, when was the last time you attended a family function or gathering without expecting someone to mention something about your weight or appearance? Unfortunately, this has found a normal place in our everyday lives. Diets, fads, diet foods, body bashing, self-doubt, lack of self-esteem…no wonder many experience self-rejection with such a critical evaluation of what is beautiful and lovely.
Our body is meant to function as a magnificent whole, and not to be limited to evaluation by visual appearance. Does it really make sense to dismember the parts of our bodies and thus demean their capabilities? We are more than just our hips, bellies or legs. We are complex and wondrously created human beings with vulnerabilities that are shattered in the crushing blows of fat talk. Think of your body as being in a relationship with someone you deeply care about. Would you ever say such cruelties to a loved one about their appearance as you may have said about yourself? Of course not! How much are you deserving of the love and respect that you offer others you care about?
Coincidentally, this week happens to be the Fat Talk Free Week, a national 7-day public awareness effort to draw attention to body image issues and shift our focus from size to health. Fat talk is categorized as any statements made in everyday conversation that emphasize unrealistic beauty ideals and influence men and women’s body dissatisfaction.
Now is a great opportunity to end the destructive cycle of “fat talk”, to extinguish the fire that ignites negative body image and damages self-confidence. Bringing awareness to this very important topic can begin with us. It is crucial to look within first, to dig deeper and seek to understand what causes us to engage in these types of harmful discussions. Do self-depreciating comments reveal an entrenched belief you might have about yourself, such as not being sufficient or good enough? Often times, beliefs such as these can fester through negative “fat talk”. Maybe there are certain triggers that bring out your inner critic, such as disapproval from a friend or family member or something you see in the media. Understanding these triggers, that lead to self deprecating thoughts or speech, can help you work through the underlying issues and assist you in appreciating and honoring your body.
Cultivating a healthy and positive body image can begin here…with what you say to, and about, yourself and to others. If you have suffered with negative body image, self-hatred, or low self-esteem, it may seem daunting to change this or even impossible to feel good about yourself. Change is always difficult, but even the smallest steps towards improvement can lead to freedom from this bondage. Every day, you have the opportunity to start anew…to choose to find hope and live fruitfully, because you are beautiful, you are lovable, and you are worthy.
Stacy London, TV Host, Author, and Stylist may state this best in her advice to:
“…Notice, don’t judge. Noticing is just seeing what’s there. Our judgment of it is what blinds us. The thick waist, big hips, small shoulders, anything is not a flaw. It just is. No matter how much you subjectively love or hate your shape, it’s still the same body you’re going to wake up with each morning. Stop exhausting yourself hoping, wishing, praying to be someone different, and take pleasure in knowing that you are who you are, in all your fabulous uniqueness…Go about the business of working with that real body to create a style you love and can love your shape in.”
References:
http://news.nd.edu/news/39891-nobody-likes-a-fat-talker-study-shows/
About the Author: Crystal is a Masters-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) with a specialty focus in eating disorders, maternal/child health and wellness, and intuitive eating. Combining clinical experience with a love of social media and writing, Crystal serves as the Director of Content and Social Media for Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope, where her passion to help others find recovery and healing is integrated into each part of her work.
As a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, Crystal has dedicated her career to helping others establish a healthy relationship with food and body through her work with EDH/AH and nutrition private practice.
References:
[1]: E-news Online, “Lady Gaga: Why I Spoke Out Against Super Bowl Body Shaming”, http://www.eonline.com/news/827919/lady-gaga-why-i-spoke-out-against-super-bowl-body-shamingAccessed 4 April 2017
[2]: Cosmopolitan, “Amy Schumer: ‘I am what Hollywood calls ‘Very Fat’”, http://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/celebs/a9105887/amy-schumer-the-leather-special-netflix/ Accessed 4 April 2017
The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of eating disorders. These are not necessarily the views of Eating Disorder Hope, but an effort to offer discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.
We at Eating Disorder Hope understand that eating disorders result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an eating disorder, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.
Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on April 11, 2017
Published on EatingDisorderHope.com
The EatingDisorderHope.com editorial team comprises experienced writers, editors, and medical reviewers specializing in eating disorders, treatment, and mental and behavioral health.
