She Strengthens

Embracing Body Positivity: A Year in Review

Growing up, I rarely saw bodies that looked like mine. Fat bodies were often the punchline, the villain, or a headless warning in news stories about the dangers of fast food and obesity. I longed to see bodies that resembled mine, but they were scarce. This lack of representation led me to believe that my body was wrong.

Fast-forward to 2019, a year that marked significant progress in the fight for representation and rights for fat people. Research supporting intuitive eating, debunking diet myths, and promoting body acceptance gained mainstream attention. We’ve made strides in representation and advocacy, but systemic fatphobia and thin privilege persist.

The Good

• Shrill: Hulu’s groundbreaking series, based on Lindy West’s book, follows a fat woman navigating life and self-acceptance. Its success sets a blueprint for future shows, proving that fat women can be attractive, confident, and successful without relying on weight loss journeys.
• Nike’s Plus-Size Mannequin: The sportswear giant’s London flagship store featured a plus-size mannequin, sparking a backlash that ultimately brought people together to praise the brand’s move towards inclusivity.
• Macy’s Plates: The department store’s portion-controlled plates, labeled with jeans sizes, sparked outrage, leading to their removal. This response demonstrates the power of collective action in promoting body positivity.
• Washington State’s Anti-Discrimination Law: The state outlawed weight discrimination, recognizing that body size should not influence hiring, firing, or promotion decisions.
• Jameela Jamil’s Activism: The actress’s campaign against detox teas and diet products led to Instagram banning promotions targeting minors.
• Calvin Klein’s Inclusive Ad: The fashion brand featured a plus-size model in a massive Times Square billboard, providing much-needed representation in the fashion industry.

The Bad

• Beyoncé’s Extreme Diet: The media’s focus on Beyoncé’s restrictive diet and exercise plan after giving birth perpetuates the harmful idea that a woman’s worth is tied to her body size.
• Fat Thor: The Avengers’ depiction of Thor’s trauma and depression through weight gain and a fat suit reinforces harmful stereotypes about fatness.
• The Return of The Biggest Loser: The reboot of this problematic show, which promotes disordered eating and dieting, is a step backward.
• Kurbo App: This app, designed for kids as young as 8, teaches unhealthy eating habits and promotes disordered eating behaviors.
• Adele’s Weight Loss: The media’s focus on Adele’s weight loss reduces her worth to her body size, ignoring her incredible talent and accomplishments.

The In-Between

• Jameela Jamil’s Campaign: While Jameela’s activism has shifted the conversation around body image, some critics argue that her approach can be problematic, centering her own body and calling out smaller accounts instead of addressing the cultural source of diet culture.
• Lizzo’s Rise to Fame: Lizzo’s success is a win for body positivity, but her message of self-love and independence is often overshadowed by the media’s focus on her body size.
• Bill Maher’s Fat-Shaming: James Corden’s response to Bill Maher’s fat-shaming rant was a step in the right direction, but perpetuated the idea that a “good” fatty is one who is trying to lose weight.

As we move into 2020, it’s essential to continue promoting body acceptance, fat positivity, and critical thinking about beauty standards. By doing so, we can create a society where everyone, regardless of body size, can thrive.