Plus Size Wellness Magazine Premiere Issue

11 Offensive Phrases
You Didn’t
Realize Are
Fat Shaming
By Nakeisha Campbell
I spent the first 16 years of my life as a plus-sized girl. During that time, I rarely ever felt like I was
beautiful. And it was hard to see myself as attractive when the media bombarded me with images of
thin and beautiful women all the time. It was hard for me to accept how I looked when I was
constantly pressured into going on diets to lose weight.
I understood that some people actually meant well when they kept encouraging me to shed a few
pounds, but deep down, those pieces of advice actually stung. I didn’t realize it at the time, but those
so-called helpful comments were actually forms of fat shaming.
Being told that I should take smaller portions of food, or having people assume that I was incapable
of doing certain things because of my weight was not only rude, but it also took a huge toll on my
self-esteem. What hurt even more was how some people, including my own friends, would use the
word “fat” like it was an insult. It even got to a point where I started to believe that I looked
unattractive because of my size. But thankfully, I eventually realized that someone’s size does not
measure their beauty or their worth. I learned that, in spite of what society may think, you can be
both fat and fabulous.
If you’ve ever offended a fat person with a rude comment, then chances are, you probably don’t
understand why your well-intended suggestions are actually hurtful. Take a look at these 11
phrases you probably didn’t realize are fat shaming:
1. “Ewww, I feel so fat.”
I hear this phrase a lot. But it wasn’t until recently that I realized how harmful and offensive this
actually sounds. Saying that you “feel fat” communicates that you see actually being fat as an
insult. And plus, you will only come off as an attention seeker who’s looking for sympathy and
extra compliments. So if you just had a huge meal and you feel full, or if you suddenly feel like
you’ve gained a bit of weight, don’t use the word “fat” like it’s an insult.
.2. “You’re really pretty for a plus-sized girl.”
By telling someone that they’re pretty for a plus-sized or fat girl, you’re telling them
that their size gives them a major disadvantage, because all plus-sized girls are
generally not beautiful. That is insulting.