Body shaming, defined as an inappropriate negative statement and attitudes towards another person weight or size. It can also reach into discrimination against individuals who may be overweight. There are negative attitudes and stereotypes in the media and elsewhere towards plus size people. A backlash against body shaming has resulted in the coming of the term itself in attempts to bring a more positive attitude toward diverse body size and styles (Bodyshaming.org 2012). There are many people out there working towards putting an end to body shaming as well as the stereotype that goes along with being plus size. Body shaming is wrong and needs to stop.
Have you ever heard, or said to yourself, I’m too fat I’m chunky I’m obese I wish I was thinner if only I were smaller, then you have practiced what is known as body shaming, and you’re not alone. Many things influence this negative image that some have of their body. Body image and self-esteem go hand in hand. Body image includes how we perceive our bodies visually how we feel about our physical appearance how we think and talk to ourselves about our bodies our sense of how other people view our bodies our sense of our bodies in physical space and our level of connectedness to our bodies. Feeling ashamed about your body is what many people seen as overweight struggle with. Poor body image increases the risks for extreme weight control behaviors such as extreme dieting exercise compulsion laxative abuse vomiting smoking and the use of non-FDA approved dieting pills. Many people are embracing their body no matter what the scale says. They are going to extremes to show the positive side of being plus size. Extensive levels of body-shaming can have negative emotional effects, including a reduction in self-esteem and other issues such as eating disorders, anxiety, body dysmorphia and depression. Also, body shaming can lead to serious depression, especially when people feel their body can not meet social criteria.
