The irrational fear of, aversion to, or discrimination against folx of larger body size (for example, naming all fat people unhealthy).

Also known as anti-fat, is the implicit and explicit bias of overweight individuals that is rooted in a sense of blame and presumed moral failing. Being overweight and/or fat is highly stigmatized in Western Culture. Anti-fatness is intrinsically linked to anti-blackness, racism, classism, misogyny, and many other systems of oppression. Eurocentric ideals of feminine beauty were founded in opposition to Black women’s bodies, specifically the body of Sarah Baartman.

References

Lowe, Matt, Your guide to understanding and combating fatphobia, All About Obesity. December 6, 2021.

NPR Short Wave, Fat Phobia And Its Racist Past And Present, July 21, 2020

Ricketts, R. (2021). Do Better: Spiritual Activism for Fighting and Healing from White Supremacy. Atria Books.