## Tired of the “Thinspiration” Trap?
Society tells us bigger is bad, lean is mean, and weight dictates worth. But what if we told you that message is getting louder, more aggressive, and frankly, tired? Rebecca Shaw, writing for The Guardian, dives deep into the “thin-obsessed world” and exposes its growing toxicity, while reminding us that fat people aren’t going anywhere. Get ready to unpack the intersection of body image, marketing, and the urgent need for a change in perspective.
The Paradox of Progress: Inclusivity Gaps
The Insidious Nature of “Nice” Fatphobia: The Absence of Engagement and Inclusion
A strange paradox about being fat is how, at the same time as people can’t seem to see past your fatness, you can also somehow be invisible. For some, your fatness becomes the only thing about you, the only quality you have. My fatness causes adults to laugh or sneer or hurl abuse in the street, or to say horrible depraved things online. Strangers hate my extra flesh so much that they can’t help but regularly inform me about it as I’m tweeting, walking home, standing in a mall, ordering a drink at a bar – or once, entering my own front door. I can’t remember every one of the numerous public incidents but I do remember the first time it happened. I was a (lonely) 14-year-old waiting for the bus with a bunch of other kids at 8:30am, and men drove past and shouted “WHALE” at me. It was humiliating, it was stupid (I am clearly a land animal), and in my memory it was the sharp beginning of my life in a fatphobic world. It was the beginning of fatphobia fundamentally changing who I was, who I was growing into, planting seeds that would affect me for decades. Shortly after that, I stopped being able to do public speaking, and even now I have to drug myself, my body going into flight mode when I put her in front of a crowd. Yet even with all this painful visibility, invisibility is equally bad. A small amount is self-inflicted – the tactics you teach yourself, trying to shrink yourself in spaces and not alert people to the existence of your body. But invisibility is also constantly dished out to us by other people. It’s from those who won’t say something mean, but will pretend not to see you. So many people don’t see you as someone worth engaging with. It is not just personal, it’s societal too.
The Rise of Ozempic and its Impact on Body Image Expectations
The rise of Ozempic in combination with an already extremely thin-obsessed world means that there are almost no fat – or even kind-of-fat – people on any sort of screen.
The Failure of Mainstream Media to Reflect the Diversity of Body Types
This week, Vogue and Gigi Hadid – obviously not people I would rely on for body inclusivity – went a step further in the wrong direction by doing a Hairspray-themed cover and spread, including posting a full lip-sync of the song ‘You Can’t Stop the Beat’ online. If you aren’t familiar with Hairspray, it’s one of the only musicals in existence featuring fat leads, and a big part of the story is fatness being spotlighted. Vogue’s cover and lip-sync featured only thin people. The fat characters were played by Gigi Hadid, Cole Escola (love) and Laverne Cox (love), and everyone else involved was also thin. To be completely and utterly cut out of one of the only fat-focused stories is not just disappointing; it’s a really bad sign. It seems like any acknowledgment that fat people exist in the world, and that it’s OK for us to exist, is sliding back to nil.
The Need for Representation and Genuine Inclusivity in Creative Industries
All kinds of people hate fatness. I have been prepared for that; I expect it. What I was less prepared for was a world where normal, nice, thoughtful, politically aware, outspoken people seem to care about inclusivity in all areas – except this one. Non-thin people are everywhere, our experiences are real and important, and yet, flicking through programmes for writers’ festivals, women’s festivals, arts festivals, I notice a consistent distinct lack of opportunities to discuss fatness or body image – in a time when it is increasingly necessary to address. These aren’t men on the street flicking a lit cigarette at me for walking near them (real story). It’s people who are otherwise kind and empathetic and knowledgable and politically aware, who aren’t engaged with this issue.
Marketing and the Body Ideal: A Call for Change
The Role of Advertising in Perpetuating Unrealistic Beauty Standards
The marketing industry, with its relentless pursuit of “aspirational” lifestyles, often plays a significant role in perpetuating unrealistic beauty standards. Advertising campaigns frequently feature idealized images of thinness, suggesting that physical appearance is paramount to success, happiness, and social acceptance. This constant bombardment of unattainable ideals can have a detrimental impact on body image and self-esteem, particularly for vulnerable individuals.
The Potential for Brands to Challenge Societal Norms and Promote Body Positivity
However, the marketing landscape is not monolithic. A growing number of brands are recognizing the importance of fostering inclusivity and challenging traditional beauty norms. By featuring diverse body types in their advertising, brands can send a powerful message that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes. This shift towards body positivity not only reflects the reality of the world but also resonates with consumers who are increasingly seeking authentic and representative representation.
Opportunities for Marketing Campaigns to Foster Inclusivity and Acceptance
Brands have a unique opportunity to leverage their platforms to promote body positivity and inclusivity. Here are a few strategies:
- Feature diverse body types in advertising and marketing materials. This includes showcasing models, actors, and everyday people of different sizes, shapes, and ethnicities.
- Highlight the beauty of individual differences. Celebrate the unique qualities that make each person special, rather than focusing solely on physical appearance.
- Use inclusive language and imagery. Avoid using language that is body-shaming or promotes unrealistic beauty standards. Instead, use language that is empowering and celebrates all bodies.
- Partner with body-positive influencers and organizations. Collaborate with individuals and groups who are already working to promote body acceptance and challenge fatphobia.
- Support initiatives that promote body positivity. Sponsor events, donate to charities, or advocate for policies that support body diversity.
By embracing these strategies, brands can contribute to a more inclusive and body-positive society. Marketing campaigns can move beyond superficial ideals and celebrate the full spectrum of human beauty.
Conclusion
Rebecca Shaw’s article in The Guardian paints a stark picture: our culture’s obsession with thinness is morphing into a harmful and increasingly hostile environment for larger bodies. Shaw argues that the relentless pressure to conform to unrealistic beauty standards is damaging not only to individual well-being but also to societal values of inclusivity and acceptance. She highlights the insidious ways fatphobia manifests, from discriminatory hiring practices and healthcare disparities to the constant barrage of negative messaging in the media.
The implications of this growing viciousness are far-reaching. Beyond the immediate harm inflicted on individuals, this relentless pursuit of thinness at all costs ignores the diversity of human bodies and perpetuates harmful stereotypes. It undermines our collective understanding of health and well-being, equating thinness with virtue and plumpness with vice. As Shaw points out, this narrow-minded approach ignores the crucial role that body positivity and self-acceptance play in fostering a truly inclusive and equitable society. The future demands a radical shift in perspective, one that celebrates the beauty of all bodies and dismantles the harmful myth that thinness is the ultimate goal.
We must move beyond the tyranny of the scale and embrace a world where size doesn’t dictate worth or opportunity. The time to dismantle fatphobia is now – not for the sake of the thin-obsessed world, but for the sake of a more just and compassionate future for all.