Teaching Resources

Fat Studies

No matter if it is an entire course on fat studies or a short section on body image, issues of fatness, thinness, and in-between bodies are frequent interests in many women’s studies classrooms. Even in other academic disciplines, questions and theories about why certain bodies are associated with an array of negative connotations may spur lively and, hopefully, eye-opening discussions on the cultural paradigms that celebrate thin bodies and stigmatize fatness. There appears little doubt that any talk on compulsive thinness and body image should also include a discussion of thin privilege and size discrimination. However, along with uncovering size prejudice and examining the cultural context in which fat signifies an essential and damaging character flaw, pedagogues may want to strengthen their argument for size acceptance by acknowledging its limitations. That is, neither students nor teachers are served well by turning a blind eye to the fact that some bodies of size may be more prone to develop certain physical ailments. Yet, how does one negotiate this intricate line between fat acceptance and medical reality? One possible solution may be to work against the widespread assumption that a thin body is also, naturally, a healthy body; in reality, unhealthy bodies come in all shapes and sizes. So, instead of solving the dilemma through weight loss, the best way may be to shift focus to advocating being healthy and active at any size and in any body. Finding pleasure and satisfaction in moving one’s body is something that anyone can achieve regardless of physical ability and/or body size. Consequently, feminist teachers may want to familiarize themselves with resources that combine alternatives to mainstream ideas of physical fitness with the realities of people living in a society fueled by fat phobia. It is not just students who may benefit from some of the following resources but family, friends, and colleagues as well. The idea is to encourage people of all sizes to feel empowered and comfortable in their bodies and to help them discover the incredible bodies they already have.

Books

When Pat Lyons and Debby Burgard published Great Shape: The First Fitness Guide for Large Women (Arbor House, 1988), resources for people of size were extremely limited, especially in regard to exercise and physical fitness. Although there has been a steady growth in books and fat friendly resources since then, Lyons and Burgard’s book is by no means outdated. In fact, the authors not only discuss a wide array of sports and activities, but also focus on the sometimes different needs of fat bodies. Instead of intimidating the reader with pictures of thin and trim models, Lyons and Burgard focus on being active and fit regardless of size, providing understandable and realistic advice for large women.

The benefits of a healthy lifestyle regardless of weight are also at the core of Linda Bacon’s book, Health at Every Size: The Surprising Truth about Your Weight (BenBella, 2008). Although not meant to be a fitness guide, Bacon’s book covers the theoretical, medical, and cultural contexts that feed into the “war on obesity” and fatten the weight loss industry’s profits. Combining her academic background and clinical experience, Bacon’s book offers both an understanding of body weight and ways to improve one’s body image and physical health.

Web Sites

Unsurprisingly, the Internet offers an abundance of sources that are, in one way or another, related to size-friendly fitness and healthy bodies. However, some may be more useful than others. The Health at Every Size (HAES) community Web site, for example, comes with a multitude of resources that are “based on the simple premise that the best way to improve health is to honor your body.” One of the best features of this Web site is the Resource List, offering further links and information on topics such as organizations, blogs, size-friendly health care providers, activism, and research. There is even a link to a weekly podcast on Radio Free Nashville featuring changing topics related to HAES. <http://www.haescommunity.org>

Even though Deb Burgard’s...