Debina Bonnerjee, a television actress, recently called out trolls for fat-shaming her after giving birth. She revealed in a vlog post that she frequently hears insulting remarks about her body, such as ‘chothi haathi’ and ‘mini haathi.’ But instead of allowing these remarks harm her mental state, Debina decided to use them as inspiration to better herself.

What Exactly Is Fatphobia?

Fatphobia has become a big problem in a culture that places a high value on appearance. It alludes to the prejudice, dread, and treatment of those who are deemed to be obese or overweight on the part of others. In other words, fatphobia can cause prejudice based on weight in medical settings. One’s physical and emotional well-being may be affected. Low self-esteem, body dissatisfaction, depression, anxiety, and eating disorders can all be results of ongoing exposure to discrimination, body shaming, and bullying. It could perpetuate damaging beliefs that link perfection and thinness with worthiness and negatively impact someone’s mental and physical well-being. It can result in low levels of self-acceptance, negative body perceptions, and obsessions with weight and appearance.

What Exactly Is Fatphobia?

What distinguishes fat shaming from fatphobia in particular? Shaming obese people is more overt; consider bullying and harassment, where the goal is to silence and subdue the victim. The significant stigma that remains today about size, however, means that fatphobia can still result in body shaming. As we’ve seen, fatphobia can show itself in a variety of settings, including work, school, and even when seeking medical attention. People have the misconception that losing weight is always desirable and attainable through personal responsibility and willpower. Additionally, the idea that being obese is bad causes avoidance at all costs, which can result in eating disorders, exercise-related injuries, and other mental and physical problems.

Fatphobia is a fear that can seriously interfere with daily living and that can be empowered by body acceptance. But there aren’t many ways to stop it.

1. Stop Comparing Yourself to People Around You:
   It’s critical to remember that each person is unique. Whether it be achievement, talent, or appearance, comparing yourself to others will always leave you feeling insecure and limit your perspective. Stop comparing instead of living, then!
2. Set Limits and Call Out Bad Behaviour: 
   If you notice someone engaging in weight bias or stigma-based behaviour, call it out politely. Inform them if you find it unpleasant and kindly request that they cease. If it persists, keep making the same request. If they’re adamant about not listening to you, simply go. You have complete discretion over whether to do so permanently or not.
3. Challenge Your Fatphobia:
   We all have negative self-talk, but if it starts to spill over into judgmental thoughts about other people’s appearance, it’s important to examine your own beliefs. Consider why you are being unkind and why you have such preconceived notions about other people.
4. Stop passing judgements:
   everyone has problems in their lives. They can be attempting to improve their mental health or they might have a medical issue. Whatever the cause, everyone deserves compassion and consideration instead of size-based judgement from friends, family, and strangers.
5. Love Yourself More:
   The most important thing to do is to learn to accept your body and yourself. It’s time for you to change if you have spent years disliking the way you look and berating yourself constantly. Gaining acceptance of oneself, including the body you occupy in this world, is a necessary step in overcoming fatphobia.