Fatphobia is bad for health: effects of fatphobia concerning food, physical activity and mental health of fat people

Abstract

Fatphobia is a structural oppression that is a major factor in the illness of fat people. This work aimed to investigate some of the effects of fatphobia on the health of fat people. This qualitative research used an online questionnaire answered by 515 fat and ex-fat people from all regions of Brazil and to carry out the data analysis, thematic analysis was used. It has been identified that fatphobia affects fat people's relationship with food, and physical activity, and affects their mental health. Fatphobia promotes a disturbed relationship with food and affects the commensality of the fat person. Fatphobia takes away fat people's right to exercise safely and keeps fat people away from physical activity. Fatphobia also compromises the psychic and social health of fat people and exposes them to the internalization of weight bias. Therefore, fatphobia is a risk factor for the health of fat people, as it promotes their exclusion and intensifies their vulnerability. It is necessary to face fatphobia as a public health problem and prevent it, promoting the inclusion and the health of fat people.

Keywords: Fatphobia; Obesity; Risk Factor; Weight Stigma