Misconception of perfect body leads to fat-shaming

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Photo credit: flickr.com

Zoierae Hill, Reporter

The myth of the “ideal body” persists despite education and knowledge. Media, especially, continue to aid the propagation of the myth.

YouTuber Nicole Arbour posted a video called “Dear Fat People,” a six-minute long rant about how fat people choose to be fat “by ordering large fries and a large drink.”

Many people found Arbour’s video so offensive that her YouTube account was temporarily suspended. However, this did nothing to deter her as she did not take the video down, instead making another video, “Most Offensive Video EVER.”

In Arbour’s first video, one of the first lines was “Fat-shaming is not a thing.” The problem with that line  is that as Sports Illustrated Model Chrissy Teigen pointed out, “Fat-shaming is a thing–and you’re doing it right now.”

“Everybody should be equally made fun of,” was one of Arbour’s justifications.

What Arbour does not seem to realize is that fat-shaming is not a situation where one cannot fit through a door. Fat-shaming is the constant message sent by the media of the “ideal body type,” something that is impossible for most people and that is picked up by others and used to shame people.

The media’s portrayal of body image causes many people, especially teenagers, to develop incorrect views of their bodies, which can lead to eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia, and in too many cases, suicide.

While Arbour does acknowledge that genetics plays a part in some body types, she dismisses the information, moving on to how she just “wants them to be around longer.”

Arbour talked about how 35 percent (more accurately 36 percent) of adults in America are obese. She also said they should “just eat healthy.”

The topic of “just eating healthy” comes up a lot when talking about overweight Americans. The problem is that eating healthy is not as easy as many make it out to be. This can be seen clearly at McDonald’s alone where a fast-food sandwich costs $1 and a salad costs $5. Healthier foods are often more expensive than fast food or junk food.

Fat-shaming is, in fact, a real thing, and it is people like Nicole Arbour who perpetuate it.

To stop it, people need to start embracing body positivity and recognize that people of all sizes should be accepted without question and then do so. People’s bodies are different; there is no one size fits all plan.

People should never be judged because of their bodies. Although many Americans are overweight or obese, one never knows if the reason for the weight is overeating or illness. It is imperative for everyone to be tolerant and to stop judging others in any capacity.