Why do we hate fat people so much?

Fatphobia and our collective response to fat people in our community is as fascinating as it is heartbreaking. Someone being fat has nearly zero impact on anyone besides themself, and yet for some reason, we as a society are so judgmental and frankly, angry, at fat people for the simple fact of being fat. We decide that fat people must also be lazy and stupid (otherwise how did they become so fat?), but does that mean the opposite is true–if we see someone and they’re thin are they ambitious and intelligent? It’s not just thin people who hate fat people, it’s fat people too–akin to the “Hispanics for Trump” movement, fatphobia runs deep even amongst people who identify as fat. It’s all such a paradox! Where does this self-hatred, fear of something different, and culture of bullying all stem from?

Fatphobia–the fear and hatred of fat bodies–does not originate from health concerns. Its roots run deep into Western culture and the ideology of white supremacy. Historically, fatness was celebrated; take a stroll through almost any art museum and you’ll find sculptures and paintings of voluptuous women portrayed as symbols of beauty and prosperity. This changed dramatically during the transatlantic slave trade and the rise of Protestantism.

Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, thinness became associated with morality and racial superiority, while fatness became linked to women of color. Colonists and scientists framed black and brown people as indulgent, uncontrollable and sexually deviant, contrasting this stereotype with the “disciplined” thin white body. Protestant values reinforced this ideal, promoting restraint in all areas of life, including diet. With this understanding, fatness became proof of immorality and racial inferiority.

These ideas later infiltrated medicine through eugenics and the development of tools like the Body Mass Index (BMI), which cemented fatness as a “health risk” under a pseudoscientific guise. BMI, by the way? It’s based on white male bodies but used as a baseline health metric for all people. Today, fatphobia persists in healthcare, media, and everyday interactions, disproportionately harming marginalized communities and women. 

Understanding fatphobia’s origins reveals that it is not a neutral health concern but a cultural construct rooted in racism and moral judgment. Challenging these narratives is essential for dismantling systemic weight stigma and promoting body diversity.

You can follow some of my favorite folks on Instagram who discuss fatphobia + body image:

@alissarumseyrd – Alissa Rumsey, dietitian and anti-diet advocate, focuses on intuitive eating and smashing fatphobia.

@meganjaynecrabbe – Megan Jayne Crabbe, author and influencer, known for body positivity and anti-diet activism.

@mynameisjessamyn – Jessamyn Stanley, yoga teacher and body liberation advocate, promoting inclusivity and self-love.

@katiesturino – Katie Sturino is an author, entrepreneur, and body acceptance advocate. 

@v_solesmith – Virginia Sole Smith is an author “Fat Talk” (a must read!) and Burnt Toast Newsletter/Podcaster.

@Virgietovar – Virgie Tovar is an author who focuses on mental health, body image, and weight stigma    

@hannahtalksbodies – Hannah Fuhlendorf is an activist and therapist in the fat liberation space.

@bodyimage_therapist – Ashlee Bennett is an art therapist & artist, as well as author of The Art of Body Acceptance    

You can also read more about fatphobia at the following sources:

Weight Bias in Health Care

How the use of BMI Fetishizes White Embodiment and Racializes fat phobia

Cultural Aspects of Body Shame

Fearing the Black Body: Racial Origins of Fat Phobia