Our understanding of ‘fat’

Sport and 'Othered' Bodies

Course: KINE 1000

Academic Year: 2025-26

Agenda

  • Announcements

  • Focus: Fatness and the Fat Body

Understanding Fatness

Recall: Normalizing Judgment

  • Foucault's Concept of Normalizing Judgment:

    • Focuses on the societal standards of ‘normal’ and how they shape our perceptions.

  • Questions Raised:

    • What is ‘normal’?

    • What does ‘normal’ look like?

  • Compulsion to Be ‘Normal’:

    • The pressure individuals feel to conform to societal norms.

  • Co-construction of Body Standards:

    • The ‘normal’ body is consistently defined in opposition to the ‘flawed’ body, which reinforces societal hierarchies.

The Medical Model of Fatness

Understanding Fat:

  • Regarded as a Pathology:

    • Fat is considered a disease that needs treatment.

  • Problematic Nature:

    • Fat is portrayed as an indisputable fact, where a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or above is seen as problematic.

  • Effects of This Model:

    • Fat viewed as:

    • Soft

    • Lumpy

    • Unfit

    • Associated with negative sensations:

    • Undesirable

    • The enemy

    • Something to be avoided, reduced, limited, eradicated, or "melted away"

  • Moral Judgment:

    • Fatness leads to moral condemnation, evident in the discourse surrounding obesity.

The Political Aspects of the Fat Body

The Fat Body as Political

  • TED Talk by Kelli Jean Drinkwater: "Enough with the fear of fat"

    • Video discussed relating to societal fears associated with fat bodies.

    • Duration: 12:12

    • Key Themes to Discuss:

      • Hypervisibility vs. invisibility of the fat body.

Hypervisibility and Invisibility of the Fat Body

Media Representation

  • Film: "The Fat Body (In)visible"

    • Analyze representations in popular media.

  • Discussions Questions:

    • How is the fat body hypervisible?

    • How is the fat body invisible?

Social Constructs of Fatness

Where/How Do We Learn?

  • Social Construction of Fatness Examined:

    • Film: "Fattitude (2017)"

    • Illustrates various social narratives and constructs around fatness.

Effects of Fat-Shaming

Fat-Shaming and Media Influence

  • Impact on Attitudes:

    • Media portrayals contribute to anti-fat sentiments, as discussed in the research by Ravary et al. (2019).

Intersections with Social Class

Case Studies in Contemporary Media

  • Serena Williams as GLP-1 Celebrity Ambassador:

    • Joins Ro, a healthcare company, to address weight issues and health.

    • Campaign aimed at normalizing GLP-1 medications for weight loss.

  • Celebrity Weight Loss Criticism:

    • Discussion on backlash towards celebrities like Meghan Trainor and Amy Schumer for losing weight after previously promoting body positivity.

    • Critique of double standards in society regarding body acceptance.

Intersectionality: Fatness and Masculinity

Societal Norms

  • Descriptive Characteristics of Fatness:

    • Associated with softness, sickness, vulnerability, and a specific appearance (e.g., “pregnant looking”).

  • Hegemonic Masculinity Defined:

    • Traits include being fit, healthy, strong, hard, independent, and action-ready.

Alternative Perspectives on Fat and Fatness

Medical Insights

  • AMA Policy on BMI:

    • June 14, 2023: New policy clarifying BMI’s role in medicine.

    • Acknowledged issues with BMI:

    • Does not account for race/ethnic nuances, sex, gender differences, and age variations.

    • Encouraged education on alternative measures for obesity diagnosis.

  • Nike's Plus-Size Mannequin Debacle:

    • Introduced plus-size mannequins, highlighting a business strategy to raise awareness for larger women's options.

Fat Studies Discourses

Definition and Identity

  • Fatness from Fat Studies Perspective:

    • Viewed as a fluid identity shaped by social norms.

    • Experience shared among individuals who self-identify as such.

Activism in Fat Studies

Movements and Principles

  • Fat Activism Initiatives:

    • Adipositivity Project:

    • Body Confidence Canada:

    • Body Positivity:

    • Body Neutrality:

    • Movements aimed at altering societal perceptions of fatness.

Fat Bodies in Movement and Sport

Visibility and Representation

  • Images of fat bodies engaging in sports and movement highlight their representation in societal contexts.

Practice Questions

Multiple Choice or Essay Questions

  1. Define Discourse:

    • Elaborate on the implications and examples of discourse in relation to body image.

  2. Constructed Bodies:

    • Give three examples of ‘flawed’ bodies and analyze how they are represented, linking one example from this unit and two others from different units.

    • Discuss the concept of normalizing judgment and its role in the construction of these ‘flawed’ bodies.

References

  • See notes for further reading and materials.

Invisibility of the fat body can manifest in various ways, including: - Media Representation: Fat bodies are often underrepresented in film and television, leading to limited visibility in mainstream narratives. - Fashion Industry: There is a lack of plus-size representation in advertisements and runway shows, contributing to the perception that fat bodies do not exist in the fashion world. - Cultural Norms: Societal standards often prioritize thinness, resulting in fat bodies being overlooked or deemed unworthy of attention. - Health Discourse: The medical community sometimes ignores the experiences and needs of fat individuals, focusing solely on weight loss rather than holistic health approaches. - Marketing Practices: Products and services may not cater to plus-size individuals, reinforcing the idea that they are not a significant consumer demographic. - Personal Experiences: Fat individuals may feel ignored or marginalized in social settings, as their bodies are often stigmatized or dismissed. - Public Spaces: Lack of accommodations, such as seating that comfortably supports larger bodies, reflects a societal tendency to overlook the existence of fat bodies in everyday situations.