A handout to go along with the Weightism and The Myths of Obesity powerpoint presentation.

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Weightism and the Myths of Obesity
‫ ٭‬Weightism
Weightism is discrimination and/or prejudice against overweight
individuals. Fat people are rated as less likeable, perceived to have fewer
romantic relationships, are less likely to be hired, and receive lower
wages. Discrimination, in the United States, against overweight people
has significantly increased in the last ten years.
‫ ٭‬Negative Attitudes and Prejudices
People often develop negative attitudes and prejudices towards others
based on the American value of individual responsibility. Fat people are
seen as responsible for their weight; resulting in negative evaluations of
fat people.
‫ ٭‬Obesity Myths
#1: You can’t be overweight and healthy
According to recent studies, being overweight and active is
healthier than being thin and sedentary. Weight is not a primary
determinant in a person’s health.
#2: Obesity will shorten life expectancy
There is no scientific evidence to support this statement. Much of
the media and politicians emphasize facts from unreliable studies
to benefit the diet, food and pharmaceutical industries. Obesity is
not an independent predictor of mortality.
#3: Overeating is the primary cause of obesity
Studies show that inactivity may be a more influential factor in
weight gain versus overeating. In addition, many people who are
overweight or obese are predisposed.

2. #4: It’s a person’s own fault if he or she is fat. It’s just a matter of
self-control
Diets do not work. Ninety-five percent of people who diet gain
back the weight they lost or more within 3 years. Heredity and a
history of yo-yo dieting can cause many people to become even
larger.
#5: Fat people are ugly
Beauty is a culturally constructed and learned concept. It is not
better and more beautiful to be thin or worse and uglier to be fat.
Each individual is beautiful and unique.
* Healthy Fat
A woman’s body fat should range between 20% and 27%. Lower levels
of body fat can impair a person’s health.
* Too Little Fat
Not having enough fat can also be unhealthy. Dieting and body fat loss
can cause:
Headaches
Dizziness
Fatigue
Abdominal pain
Decrease in bone density
Amenorrhea (missing at least 3 consecutive menstrual cycles)
Two types of body fat:
Essential
Storage
Women carry up to 4 times more essential fat than men for reproductive
and hormone related functions
* What’s wrong with this picture?
81% of 10 year old girls are afraid of being fat
35% of dieters develop pathological dieting
20-25% of pathological dieters develop a partial or full-blown
eating disorder
As American culture endorses an unrealistic body ideal people are taught to
constantly strive to be thinner
Body fat has a negative connotation in
American society, but fat is critical to the
proper functions of the body!