Fatphobia

Stigma based on body size is called fatphobia.

It manifests itself in different ways: in everyday relationships, through interactions with the medical profession, in the media, or in population-based interventions targeting obesity.

" Stigma stops people from reaching their full potential. And we as a society are poorer for that."

Dr. Theresa Tam, Chief Public Health Officer of Canada¹

Fatphobia is fueled by stereotypes and negative prejudices that target people whose weight is considered too high. Additionally, it is often rooted in a lack of awareness and education about the complex factors that influence body weight². In Québec³:

• More than half of the population think that fat people are not fit, don’t do enough physical activity and eat too much and poorly.
• 37% of adults believe that fat people have poor self-control.
• 18% of adults believe that fat people are lazy.

Fatphobia is not without consequences for the health and well-being of the population. It is associated with ^2,4-6:

• Decreased sense of self-efficacy;
• Low self-esteem;
• Poor body image;
• Difficulties with social integration;
• Increased risk of developing eating disorders;
• Increased risk of using food as an emotional management strategy (particularly to reduce stress);
• Reluctance to use primary health care;
• Increased risk of psychological distress (e.g., symptoms of depression, anxiety, etc.);
• Weight gain, difficulty losing weight or weight fluctuation;
• Chronic stress on the body which can disrupt certain bodily functions, such as glucose metabolism and cardiovascular function;
• Barrier to the adoption of healthy lifestyle habits (e.g., reluctance to practise sports in public);
• Increased risk of mortality.

Fatphobia can have several negative effects such as low self-esteem, body dissatisfaction and social exclusion, leading to avoidance and loss of interest in physical activity. Certain solutions can be put in place to prevent young people who are overweight from feeling hampered in their practice of physical activity.

Check out our recommendations for schools 

In order to confront fatphobia, we must first become aware of our prejudices and recognize them, and then act to create healthy, safe and inclusive living environments for everyone.

1. Tam T. (2019). Lutte contre la stigmatisation : vers un système de santé plus inclusif. Rapport de l’administratrice en chef de la santé publique sur l’état de la santé publique au Canada 2019. Agence de la santé publique du Canada.
2. Rubino F., Puhl RM., Cummings DE., et al. (2020). Joint international consensus statement for ending stigma of obesity. Nat Med,26(4):485-497. doi:10.1038/s41591-020-0803-x
3. Léger. (2021). Rapport : Perception du problème de poids au Québec : Sondage auprès des Québécois et Québécoises.
4. Puhl, R. (2021). Grossophobie : un phénomène mondial aux conséquences néfastes pour tous. The Conversation. Repéré au https://theconversation.com/grossophobieun-phenomene-mondial-aux-consequences-nefastespour-tous-162155
5. Levy M. (2020). The Relationship between Weight Bias Internalization and Healthy and Unhealthy Weight Control Behaviours. Montréal (QC) : Concordia University.
6. Sutin AR, Stephan Y, Terracciano A. (2015). Weight Discrimination and Risk of Mortality. Psychol Sci, 26(11):1803-11