Kind, healthy encouragement, not meanness, helps larger folk

fatphobia, the fear and hatred of fat bodies. Fatphobia is insidious in our culture. It’s evident in the books we read, the media we consume, from the stereotypically lazy, disorganised, and morally corrupt fat characters like Dudley Dursley, to jokes about Thor’s weight gain in Avengers: Endgame. It also manifests in online and real life harassment, restrictive seat sizes in public spaces, limited clothing options, diet culture, health policing, fat costumes, fat people getting paid less, only ‘‘thin people’’ being allowed to wear, see, or do certain things, and fat people not being taken seriously in the healthcare industry.

Fatshaming perpetuates negative stereotypes and opinions about fat people within society, causing widespread stigma, discrimination, and family members, and other individuals in the child’s close circle. The child is placed under a damaging moral narrative.

This narrative causes family members to turn to fatshaming as a form of punishment against the child, impacting their selfesteem and confidence in an incredibly negative way. A child’s body does not dictate their moral value. Their body size is not a failure on their part or the part of family members and other close individuals.

Fat shaming is awful, full stop. But it’s especially cruel when directed towards children, who often lack the ability to defend themselves. The memory of my little brother’s face falling when Mum and Dad talk about his stomach almost makes me cry.

Combating fatphobia needs to start in the home. Unless challenged, it will perpetuate through future generations.

Firstly, parents should endorse healthy living instead of guilt. By encouraging healthier options within the household in a supportive manner, a parent can help a child make smarter choices for herself without the need for shame or coercion.

Secondly, parents should focus less on a child’s appearance, and instead compliment the child in other ways, such as her ability to listen, her thoughtfulness, or her strength. It is important to teach children that looks aren’t everything.

Combating fatphobia requires a great deal of unlearning. It needs to start with a child’s parents, legal guardians, or other family members. Begin by eliminating fatphobic actions in your daily life, such as labelling foods as ‘‘bad’’ or making harsh comments about your weight in front of your child.

Don’t contribute to fatphobia within society by designating fat people as lesser than or abnormal.

Be kind, compassionate, and take actions to change your bias towards the marginalised fat community.