The notion behind “glorifying obesity” does not equate to “glorifying poor health” - it is a battle cry.

It does not choose one body type over another - it is a celebration of fat bodies, a validation of rights.

It begs you to question why a public health crisis targets one body type. Why fat bodies are allowed and encouraged to be openly dehumanized and discriminated against. Why “health” is assumed and used as a weapon, oppressing fat bodies on an systematic level: in our government, during our doctor’s visits, in the media, entertainment and fashion industries.

Why, when push comes to shove, some people will admit “BMI is bullshit” or “fat people can be healthy” but most will stop short of comprehending that much of the damage that is being done to our society is being enforced through this war on fat bodies called the “obesity epidemic”. 

Consider that the amount of shame and stigma surrounding fatness due to obesity paranoia is the true epidemic causing damage to our society’s physical and mental health. Consider what would happen if we actively started to work against and challenge it directly by stripping the word “obesity” of its ability to turn fatness into a medical condition.

We have been taught that fatness is to be feared and not revered. When we “glorify obesity” we turn that way of thinking on its head and I believe it is incredibly necessary that we do.

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My personal sources: The Radical Fatty series and tagged relevant content on obesity and glorifying obesity.

Other sources: Lesley Kinzel’s article on the subject, a great article on Weight-Based Stigma and Bullying, and My Big Fat List of Resources for good measure.