Fat Phobia And Its Racist Past And Present

The desire for thinness and the negative consequences that come with it, including sacrificing health and even one's life, is not a recent phenomenon. Sabrina Strings' research reveals that this issue has deep historical roots, dating back to the 19th century, when magazines targeted at middle and upper class white women began promoting thinness as a sign of Christian nature and racial superiority. This cultural pressure to conform to an unrealistic standard of thinness has continued to impact women, regardless of race, leading to harmful consequences for their health and well-being. The BBC, through its news and stories, provides valuable insights and information on such important societal issues, encouraging us to think critically about the world around us.

The origins of fat phobia can be traced back to the transatlantic slave trade several centuries ago. During the Renaissance era, full-figured women were valued. However, this attitude shifted in the 18th century due to the growth of the slave trade. French philosophers began to argue that Africans, who they observed in the colonies, were sensuous people who loved food and sex, leading to the belief that Africans were inherently too fat. This perception, rooted in racial bias, has continued to influence societal attitudes towards fatness and race to this day.

Historical racial biases have shaped societal attitudes towards body size, leading to discrimination against people perceived as overweight or obese. During the transatlantic slave trade, Europeans used various factors to distinguish slaves from free people, and body size became one of those factors. Although the slave trade has ended, these biases continue to influence modern perceptions, including in medicine where Body Mass Index (BMI) is often used as an inaccurate and misleading measure of obesity, particularly for Black women. BMI, which measures weight in relation to height, was not originally intended to assess individual fatness. However, it has been widely adopted as an obesity measure, leading to disproportionate labeling of Black women as obese, perpetuating harmful stereotypes and health disparities.

Relying solely on Body Mass Index (BMI) to determine health and wellbeing, especially for black women, is not an accurate or meaningful approach. BMI does not account for factors such as bone density, muscularity, genetics, cultural influences, and individual experiences. African American populations tend to be healthier at heavier weights than white populations, and within races, there are vast differences in health profiles based on individual body composition. Telling people, particularly black women, to lose weight as the main solution to health issues can be harmful in the long run, as it often leads to unsuccessful weight loss attempts and psychological damage from fat stigma. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the focus on obesity as a leading explanation for health disparities disproportionately affecting people of color, specifically black people, is misguided and potentially damaging. Instead, a more holistic approach to health, incorporating factors like socioeconomic status, access to healthcare, and systemic racism, is necessary.

While there is ongoing discussion about the role of obesity in the disparate COVID-19 outcomes between white and black populations, the evidence suggests that environmental factors, such as access to resources and essential work, may be more significant contributors. The obesity rates between these populations are similar, with 42.2% for whites and 49.7% for blacks, representing a 7 percentage point disparity. However, the correlation between obesity and COVID-19 outcomes does not necessarily imply a causal link. Instead, the lack of access to essential resources and the inability to socially distance effectively in black communities are more likely causes of the disparities.

The disparities in serious complications and death rates between black and white populations due to COVID-19 are significant, with black people dying at 2.4 to 7 times the rate of white populations. The reasons for this disparity are not fully understood, and it's important to be critical of correlational studies that suggest obesity is a driver, as it could simply be a confounder. Sabrina Strings, an expert on this issue, has taken on this topic due to the impact it has had on people's lives and the growing awareness that the long-accepted discourse surrounding fatness is baseless. The goal is to cultivate a positive relationship to one's body and health without relying on stigma. Strings' book, "Fearing the Black Body: The Racial Origins of Fat Phobia," is a valuable contribution to this important conversation.

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