redefiningbodyimage:

This is Redefining Body Image’s go-to list of resources, articles, research, videos, etc. providing facts and information regarding health and body image, especially dedicated to debunking the everyone’s favorite myth that fat = unhealthy.

If I referred you to this page and this way of thinking about fat and fat health is new to you, I encourage you to have an open mind.

If you have something to add, please submit! The more this list grows, the more ammo we have to back us up in our fight against the body positive nay-sayers.

Let the facts come marching in.

• Big Fat Facts: The truth about fat, obesity, gastric bypass, and weight loss. Focuses on many aspects of fat health that are widely accepted but never challenged, targets the claims, points out the faults, and highlights the truth.
• This TED talk by Julie Rochefort called “Shift the Focus” discusses and displays a lot of really important data based around the fact that health is possible at EVERY size. A short 8 minute video that covers a lot of ground in a short amount of time.
• This extensive article by Glenn Gaesser, Ph.D. called Obesity, Health, and Metabolic Fitness debunks a number of myths regarding fat health. Many important topics are covered, from “thinner is not necessarily healthier” to “emphasis on weight loss” being “misdirected and hazardous”, to challenging the link between obesity and heart disease. A very comprehensive and informative resource.
• A massive list of resources discussing the truth behind fat health can be found over at Big Liberty Blog, titled Truth Behind Fat: References. 
• One of my staple resources, Kate Harding answers the ever popular question directed at fat activists: “But Don’t You Realize Fat Is Unhealthy?”
• Some more from the lovely Kate Harding: “Reality vs. Relativism“ and ”Diets Don’t Work”.
• Ever wanted to learn more about Fat Acceptance? Check out the Fat Acceptance FAQ over at Spilt Milk, complete with a list of links to some great health-related info.
• A scientific study helping to prove how diets really work by, Junkfood Science - How We’ve Come to Believe that Overeating Causes Obesity
  
• More of Me to Love discusses fat health, fitness, and health at every size.
• Everyone Knows Obesity Is Hurting Us, But Is the Fight Against Obesity the Problem? - Linda Bacon, Ph.D.
• The Health At Every Size® Manifesto.
• Heart Surgeon Speaks Out Against What Really Causes Heart Disease - A very interesting and informative piece that details new studies on heart disease.
• Weight Science: Evaluating the Evidence for a Paradigm Shift
• Medicare’s search for effective obesity treatments: diets are not the answer.
• The TRUE Cost of Fatties - Looking closely at how obesity impacts gas costs and health care, which is to say not at all. 
• More on Obesity and Healthcare Costs here.
• Stereotype Management Skills by Deb Burgard, PhD. discusses how to refute fat shaming propaganda, among other helpful things.
• Uncommon Knowledge About Changes in Body Weight by Lily O’Hara
• Things Obesity is Not by Ragen Chastain
• ‘Everyone knows’ obesity kills, but is weight loss the answer? by Lydia Turner
• Above-Normal Weight Alone Does Not Necessarily Increase Short-Term Risk of Death, U.S. Data Suggest - Science Daily, July 2012

And that’s where I’m leaving it for now, but not forever!

Thank you.

Hello all! Reblogging this as I’ve added a few links and wanted to know if any of you knew of some sources I should definitely be adding to this list. Drop me a line :)