The Moral Panic of Fatphobia

This public radio podcast episode from On the Media points out the underlying features of fatphobia and inherent bias in our culture.

To be clear from the start, none of this information is new, but it is rare to see it covered convincingly in the media. The episode covers three central points.

First, an astute primary care doctor debunks they myth that fat people are at higher risk for illness in general, in this instance COVID. The doctor explains how the overpowering bias of the medical field against fat people leads them to avoid health care, get treatment later in the course of illness and receive less effective care due to doctors who blame the patient for being fat. Initial studies about weight and COVID severity have proven to be poor, and recent evidence corroborates that the risk factor isn’t true, yet the myth continues.

The second point covers a scale intended to override the biased and destructive BMI. This new scale takes weight into account and then measures medical and psychological effects of the person’s health to stage level of illness. A study that aggregates the results of a broad range of research called a meta-analysis proves that the people now classified as “overweight” have equal or better health than people classified as “healthy” weight. This result would shock many if not most people in this country.

The last piece explains an enlightening history about the bias of body shape. I have written frequently here how mass media transformed weight bias into a cultural phenomenon and fueled the epidemic of eating disorders. However, it’s very interesting and upsetting to hear about the many underlying causes for the bias against fat including the inherent racism and the religious morality originally used to create this cultural belief.

The broader conclusion of the podcast is that the fear of fat and glorification of thinness represents a moral panic in our society. The belief is not based on any data, research or facts. And business has capitalized on these fears to create industries which fan the flames of fear for profit.

The human need to feel superior or better can create a deep sense of terror of the other, and that terror needs an object, in this case fat. The podcast compellingly describes how our fear of fat is driven by this panic and nothing else.

It’s deeply relieving to see journalists tackling the topic of fat bias and trying to explain the devastating effects of the unsubstantiated fear in our lives. Let’s hope the medical community can begin to use the concept of “Do no harm” around weight as well.