“It actually physically hurts to hear it. I get a twisting and tensing feeling in my stomach and chest…Later, you relive the feeling of being put down.”
—Female first-year undergraduate, Queen’s University, Ontario
“[My weight has been criticized] my entire life, especially by those who supposedly love me. While I try to ignore it, I often find myself eating my feelings. The so-called ‘brutal truth’ causes the opposite effect of what the person intended.”
—Female second-year online student, Cerro Coso Community College, California
“Mostly it just feeds [my] depression and alcoholism.”
—Male fourth-year graduate student, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Newfoundland and Labrador
“I’ve been bullied my whole life due to my weight. It didn’t make me want to lose weight, it just made me want to die. I don’t see myself as worth the time and effort it would take to lose weight.”
—Female third-year undergraduate, Saint Mary’s University, Nova Scotia
“I got nicknamed things like ‘String Bean’ and it just perpetuated my anorexia. I liked that my thinness drew people’s attention, and I wanted more.”
—Male first-year undergraduate, Trent University, Ontario
“Up until around age 16, [criticism of my body] was a huge part of my day-to-day life…While I do not blame these people, who were kids or high-school students at the time, I certainly do recognize the impact that this had on me in the long-term. It makes fitness, mental clarity, relationships, and basic self-worth much more difficult.”
—Male fifth-year undergraduate, University of Tennessee at Martin
“I used to be really skinny because I ran a lot. I always had hard feelings towards larger people who made fun of me. I feel like we created a pointless circle of hatred between skinny people and fat people.”
—Jason F., fifth-year undergraduate, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
“I weigh 103 pounds and I find I look amazing. I’m sick of reading posts on Facebook that thin-shame. For example, ‘Men like curves, only dogs go for bones’ or ‘I wouldn’t want to be a size 0 because I don’t want to look like a 12-year-old boy.’ I find these messages extremely hurtful and have�let people know it’s not OK.”
—Female third-year undergraduate, Mount Allison University, New Brunswick
“We have to make sure that body positivity extends in all directions.”
—Rachael M., fourth-year undergraduate, Concordia College, New York
“I’ve felt complimented on weight gain or weight loss as well as [judged harshly]. Generally I find that more wholesome people talk about looking healthier rather than fatter/leaner.”
—Male fifth-year undergraduate, University of Dallas, Texas
“Overweight people (or anyone struggling to lose weight) only want people to listen without prejudging, arguing, or advising until we personally ask. The problem is that the ‘listeners’ always try to counter-argue in some way.”?
—Van V., second-year graduate student, Mount Royal University, Alberta
“Don’t comment on someone’s size, whether big or small. If they make it known they are losing weight or gaining, be supportive. That’s the only time you have a right to comment.”
—Ashley M., second-year graduate student, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, British Columbia
“Negativity and being told I was overweight made me feel almost hopeless to lose weight.”
—Female second-year undergraduate, University of Waterloo, Ontario
Accept and take care of yourself
“Being a black woman in a predominately white culture has taken a toll on my self image. Having friends who do not emphasize highly unrealistic standards of beauty, and who embrace themselves, has really helped.”?
—Female third-year undergraduate, Rollins College, Florida
Be active together
“Nagging doesn’t work; it only intensifies the problem. Support is what is needed—perhaps offering to work out with someone or go for a walk with them.”
—Female second-year undergraduate, University of Wisconsin, Marinette
Emphasize abilities not appearance
“I believe a better measure of health [than weight or BMI] resides in the body’s capacity—perhaps in athletics, endurance, flexibility, strength. Those should be given more consideration, particularly over size or weight.”
—Laura L., fourth-year undergraduate, Mount Royal University, Alberta
“Even though people say all shapes are beautiful, people still make fun of the heavier people when they try to work out.”
—Nav S., third-year undergraduate, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, British Columbia
“Some trainers are condescending and treat me like a four-year-old. I’ve been working out since before they were born. I constantly have to prove myself. I’m about 30 lbs overweight and I work out four times a week; I have been doing this for 33 years.”
—Female second-year online student, Nova Scotia Community College
“I think all fat-shamers would agree that complications from diseases or medicine are a ‘legitimate reason’ to be overweight, but if someone is depressed, or suffers from low self-esteem or anxiety, those are medical reasons too. Ones that you can’t see. Ones that people aren’t going to mention. Ones that don’t automatically bring eating to mind, but can involve it.”
—Sarah C., fifth-year undergraduate, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Newfoundland and Labrador
“I am very muscular, probably giving me more weight than most girls my age, but this does not concern me. Farm girls need to be strong to cope with the hard chores and responsibilities.”
—Lydia B., second-year undergraduate, Western Illinois University
“I am just beginning to think I am a beautiful young woman. Loving myself is a daily struggle, but I am a person. I deserve at least that much.”
—Female third-year undergraduate, Pacific Lutheran University, Washington
“Being physically comfortable and mentally comfortable are the most important factors when considering health and body size and shape. You need to feel good and like the way you look.”
—Ryan S., recent graduate, Harrisburg Area Community College, Pennsylvania