Its hard to have a body.
And over the last year, for many, its beenharder than ever.
Researchers have noted a precipitousrise in risk for eating disorder symptomsduring the pandemic.
Getty Images / Maria Petrishina
For those already diagnosed with eating disorders, many are experiencingworsening symptoms.
And at the same time, weve seen a sharp rise instigmatizing anti-fat rhetoric.
Fat or thin, many of us have channeled that difficulty into growth.
During the course of theCOVID-19 pandemic, many of us have come face-to-face with our own body image struggles.
Our body politics have shifted and grown.
More and more people are engaged in conversations about body positivity, fat activism, and body politics.
That growth has largely happened in isolation, the way nearly everything has in the last year.
So while our analyses might have sharpened, our social practices may not have.
Here are a few things that you’re free to do to show up for your fat friends.
Make plans that your fat friends can participate in.
Frequently, thin friends and family make plans that fat people simply cant participate in.
They invite us to go shopping but dont choose a store that carries plus sizes.
Solicit fat folks input when youre making plans to ensure were able and excited to join in.
If you want to go shopping with your fat friend, confirm they carry your fat friends size.
Let your fat friends choose where to sit.
Seating can be a real minefield as a fat person.
Beyond booths, tables, and chairs sometimes being be locked into place, chairs may be flimsy.
), but theres a simple, elegant solution.
Let them pick, and take their lead.
Its accessible for them and easy for you.
Ask for consent before talking about your diet and body image issues.
Look at my thighsno one wants to see that.
I cant have any more carbs today.
Im such a pig.
While I empathize with their body image struggles, its also tough to stay in those conversations.
Because while theyre hyper-focused on their points of dissatisfaction with their own bodies, my body becomes collateral damage.
If you thinkyoureimpossibly fat, what must you think of me?
We tend to think of these conversations as a way of venting our insecurities, blowing off some steam.
But they can cause significant harm to usandto those around us.
Stand up for them even if theyre not around.
What if I say the wrong thing?Its an understandable response.
Interrupting bigotry in action can be intimidating.
Youre not worth defending.
Take the opportunity to be one of the few to publicly defend a fat person.
(Or both.)
Theres no perfect intervention, especially when so many of us havent experienced any intervention at all.
And, of course, you should probably keep physical safety in mind when intervening.
When your fat friends get vaccinated,celebrate.
Asvaccines have rolled outaround the country, many states are prioritizing fat people for vaccine access.
Its tough to square the two.
After all, if were at greater risk, shouldnt we be prioritized for prevention?
Or, if we shouldnt be prioritized for prevention, doesnt that mean were not at greater risk?
So when your fat friends get vaccinated, dont question why or if its deserved.
We have made it this far.
And thats worth celebrating.
