Public awareness is important to highlight the issues that fat people face - such as discrimination and lack of access to facilities. Photo: Pixabay
'Lazy, unproductive, unhealthy, unmotivated.' These are but a few of the common stereotypes against fat people which leads to them being bullied and discriminated against. The stigma against fatness can have severe consequences even though it may go unseen. For example, restaurants and even education institutions often do not have seating that caters to fat people. Even hospitals don't have facilities that can accommodate fat people.
Social initiatives like the fat liberation and fat acceptance movements endeavour to raise awareness about the challenges fat people encounter on a daily basis. In Malaysia, fat liberation group My Fat Squad was formed in 2019 to build a community for fat people. And while the group aims to provide a solid support structure for the fat community (including compiling data for services and facilities that are fat friendly), they are looking for allies who can advocate for fat people to be protected and given the same rights as other non-fat people, whether it is in healthcare or even finding comfortable seats in spaces such as restaurants, universities, hospitals or clinics.
Anyone can be a fat ally: by calling out bullies, correcting mis-perceptions and stereotypes, shutting down fat jokes or not using fat phobic language.
StarLifestyle asks Malaysians for their opinion on fatness.
Generally, I think most people don’t have anything against fat people, but they probably don’t think about issues that these individuals go through or perhaps aren’t even aware about it. But I believe most people aren’t willing to inconvenience themselves for others and that includes for fat people, so when having an event for example, they’ll cater to the majority - sad but true.
It’s unfortunate that fat people get bullied and discriminated. I can identify with this because when I was a child in primary school, I was fat and got bullied because of it. But when I went to secondary school, I got into outdoor activities and started to lose weight and got fitter. It wasn’t intentional but because I was doing something that I enjoyed.
It’s good that issues which fat people go through be highlighted, if not, others who aren’t fat might not be aware of it. It’s normal right – people usually only see things from their own perspective. This is especially important with regards to the facilities needed for larger sized people. There might even be some vendors who want to specifically tap into this market. And, if you’re bullied or discriminated – whether it’s for being fat or any other reason, I would say don’t take it personally because it reflects more on the bully than on you. Usually bullies are projecting their own insecurities onto those they bully.
I may not be fat but I’ve nothing against fat people. In fact, I’m married to a woman who is on the heavier side (size XL). I do think my wife is beautiful and sexy. It’s the whole package: her warmth, bubbly personality and confidence, which made me fall in love with her. Of course, we’ve had some funny moments like when we went to buy a new bed for our home just before the wedding. When we sat on it to test it, it broke and we ended up on the floor ... we had to buy the bed! (laughs)
I put on weight after giving birth to my third child and am considered ‘overweight’ wearing size L or XL clothing. But that's alright, there's more of me to love! (laughs)
My husband is a fat person. Basically, he's tall and big, a size XXL. But I don't see anything wrong with it because he's healthy and a lot more so than others who appear slimmer. In fact, he's more active than me and I'm slim!
Of course in business, we should cater to fat people too. In the service industry, the customer is always right and two-way communication is important. If customers have specific needs – whether it’s food allergies, seating arrangements, chairs that can accommodate fat people, etc – they should talk to their vendor and something can be done about it.
Whether you’re fat or thin, it’s your prerogative – like nobody should have the right to dictate what you should be. We’re all humans with the same rights, and that includes the right to choose for ourselves.
It's all about aesthetics – whether a person looks good or not. But then beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. While most people want to look thin or fit, there are also people who prefer to be bulkier. So, it's up to an individual's personal preference and choice.
