If you have ever been teased for being fat, you know the effects of weightism. Being a victim of fatism wears on your self-esteem and confidence. Teasing and hurtful comments stay with an obese person forever as they replay the comments to themselves.
The problem of weight bias is very real. Weightism effects women more often than men, but it can interfere with you getting a job, finding a quality companion and being treated fairly in general.
People with prejudice against obese people wrongly assume that they are lazy, cynical, unclean, ignorant and out of control. Their assumptions are based on the idea that what you look like matters the most. If they took the time to get to know the individual, they would see that obese people are no different on the inside. Fat doesn’t erase thoughtfulness, friendliness, creativity, determination, intelligence, sensitivity or passion. The fact is every person deserves a fair chance regardless of their size or weight because it is what is on the inside that really counts.
How to Deal with Weightism
Though fatism is prevalent and escaping fat prejudice entirely isn’t possible, there are some things obese people can do to deal with weightism.
- Accept yourself for who you are. Know who you are, what you are good at and what you stand for. Don’t let anyone take that away from you.
- Realize that anyone lashing out or showing prejudice has their own self-confidence issues. The way they deal with is it by trying to make other people feel bad about themselves. Don’t fall for it. Hold your head high.
- Get rid of your own thoughts of weightism. Often when people are teased they internalize the negative comments. Don’t make someone else’s unfair judgments become your own.
- Don’t compare yourself to unrealistic images. Magazine photos can be doctored to look perfect, erasing areas of unwanted fat. Models are often unhealthy and go to great measures to stay thin, including bulimia and anorexia.
- Don’t let your weight be a deterrent from following your dreams and taking an active part in your own life.
- Find support to deal with issues about weightism.
- Treat your body with respect. Skip fad diets, weight loss pills and obsessively weighing yourself. Follow a healthy eating plan and daily exercise to feel your best and prevent diseases.
Weightism is a form of prejudice and a sign of ignorance. You may not be able to change the way some people think, but you can change the way you think and how you react to those who are prejudice against obese people.
