America’s Frenzied Fear of Fat

By: Elissa Zelman, Psy.D., Director, Scarsdale Center

Some of you may have read “As Obesity Fight Hits Cafeteria, Many Fear a Note from School” in the New York Times on January 8, 2007. This article highlighted some schools attempts to deal with childhood obesity by informing parents of their child’s Body Mass Index (BMI = (weight in pounds /height in inches) x (Height in inches ) x 703.) As I reflected on this article, it became apparent to me that this is one of many examples, of America’s frenzied fear of fat. Clearly there is a problem in this country with obesity, especially on the increase in childhood. However, it seems that our response to these problems often exacerbates and fuels the underlying reasons that they exist in the first place.

One of the main reasons this terror exists is because we live in a weightiest and food phobic society. The general public is not given accurate information about what is truly balanced and healthy, and is alternatively fed confusing and dichotomous messages about the latest trends to follow for “quick and healthy” results. Additionally, we are taught from preschool and beyond, that fat is unhealthy, while thin is not. Of course, these assumptions do not take into account genetic/family history (including the person’s natural set-point weight), lifestyle (eating, exercise, and lifestyle habits), blood pressure, cholesterol, medical history etc. To remedy this, we need to de-stigmatize “good” and “bad” foods and teach moderation; to normalize the food process so that “food is fuel” and is something to be enjoyed; to educate that people naturally come in all shapes and sizes; to teach people of all ages to love exercise and movement and to spread the message that fat, in and of itself, does not equal unhealthy, nor does thinness indicate health. Rather, we need to gather a holistic picture of a person to determine if s/he is “at risk” for health issues or not.

Instead of this suggested remedy, I have increasingly found that people, often with the best of intentions, fuel the weightism problem by isolating a “problem” individual; teaching that healthy living involves eating only some foods, while banning others and does not always include the need for activity/exercise; and assume issues about a person’s overall health by looking at them or by calculating a number. This assumption goes in both directions (thinking someone who is thin is healthy, while someone who is large or very thin is not).

The New York Times article is a wonderful depiction of this exacerbation, as the intervention causes more problematic eating, as well as shame and an increased fear of food. Additionally, the article is sensitive to the bind that public institutions, like schools, are put in as they are pressured to “do something” about these problems, often without the availability of advice from specialists in the field.

We are in a position, as professionals in the education and mental health fields to correct misinformation and help people truly understand the definition of health. Let’s think big; by doing this we can correct much of the body hatred experienced by most Americans and dramatically decrease, even eliminate weightism and the public’s fear of food. Of course to do this, we first have to acknowledge that we also live in this crazed society and are influenced by it constantly. Thus, we need to acknowledge and deal with our own preconceived notions regarding health and weight and be open to challenging these with fact and research-based evidence. Then we will be able to help others do the same and gradually make systemic and global changes.