Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to examine the history, agenda, and supporting members of the Fat Acceptance Movement. Dating back to 1967, the Fat Acceptance Movement seeks to provide a community of like-minded and like-bodied individuals for self-identified fat people to escape discrimination and shaming. Fat Acceptance Movement aims to protect overweight and obese individuals from discrimination within the workplace, health care, social settings, and other situations. Fat people are less likely to be hired or considered for advancement within the workforce. Multiple studies show that health professionals, including general practitioners, nurses, and dietitians, subscribe to the idea that obese individuals are lazier, less trustworthy, and less compliant than their normal weight counterparts. Interviews with fat people overwhelmingly evidence the shaming they face daily, in situations from walking down the street to ordering dinner at a restaurant. The ultimate goal of the Fat Acceptance Movement is to eliminate the stigma against the word “fat”, and the way in which government, health professionals, and society deal with and think about obesity and the people it effects.

Semester/Year of Award

Spring 2017

Mentor

Erin K. Eliassen

Mentor Professional Affiliation

Family and Consumer Sciences

Access Options

Restricted Access Thesis

Document Type

Bachelor Thesis

Degree Name

Honors Scholars

Degree Level

Bachelor's

Department

Applied Human Sciences

Department Name when Degree Awarded

Family and Consumer Sciences

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