The CultureHug Podcast

Unlearning Fat Shame: A New Conversation About Body Size


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In this episode of The Culture Hug Podcast we dive into Obesity. Obesity is often misunderstood—and far too often judged. In this episode, we peel back the layers behind weight, exploring how trauma, genetics, epigenetics, and systemic bias all shape the conversation around body size. It's not just about willpower or “calories in, calories out.” We dive into the science of why weight loss isn’t always as simple as hitting the gym or eating less, and how hundreds of genes can play a role in metabolism, appetite, and fat storage. We also challenge harmful narratives in the media and examine the racist roots of BMI and how body size bias intersects with history—including links to slavery. Learn how to recognize and confront fatphobia—in yourself, in others, and in the systems around us—without shame or blame. Finally, we talk about how to approach conversations about weight with compassion, why health exists on a spectrum, and how to become a more informed and empathetic ally to people in larger bodies. This episode is about breaking down bias, building understanding, and promoting dignity at every size.

Sources: 

• American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Bystander intervention tip sheet.
• Association for Size Diversity and Health. (2024). Health at Every Size® principles.
• Ata, R. N., & Thompson, J. K. (2010). Weight bias in the media: A review of recent research. Obesity Facts, 3(1), 41–46. https://doi.org/10.1159/000276547
• Crane, M. (2024, December 13). The racist history of fatphobia and weight stigma. Within Health.
• Doctronic.ai. (2024, December 3). Understanding and overcoming weight stigma: A guide for patients and healthcare providers.
• Fulton, M., Dadana, S., & Srinivasan, V. N. (2023, October 26). Obesity, stigma, and discrimination. StatPearls Publishing.
• Gillette, H. (2024, February 22). Is obesity genetic or environmental? Healthline.
• Harding, R., & Roberts, L. (n.d.). Does repeated trauma exposure increase the risk of obesity? A systematic review. The University of Buckingham.
• Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Center for Health Communication. (n.d.). Unpacking fatphobia, weight discrimination, and their deadly repercussions.
• Kramer, R., Drury, C. R., Forsberg, S., Bruett, L. D., Reilly, E. E., Gorrell, S., Singh, S., Hail, L., Yu, K., Radin, R. M., Keyser, J., Le Grange, D., Accurso, E. C., & Huryk, K. M. (2025). Weight stigma in the development, maintenance, and treatment of eating disorders: A case series informing implications for research and practice. Journal of Eating Disorders, 53(5), 747–760. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-024-01260-3
• Lewis, T., & Yoshimura, S. M. (2017). Politeness strategies in confrontations of prejudice. Atlantic Journal of Communication, 25(1), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1080/15456870.2017.1251198
• Oregon.gov, Public Health Division, Center for Prevention and Health Promotion. (n.d.). Is weight something we inherit? and stigma: The human cost of obesity.
• Rodarte, M. M. (2024). The psychological factors of obesity and how to overcome them. Activated Health & Wellness.
• TikTok. (2025). Your ultimate comeback guide: Best responses to body shaming.
• UConn Rudd Center for Food Policy and Health. (n.d.). Having a productive conversation: Weight bias - dispelling myths.
• Wiginton, K. (2024, March 15). Fat phobia, fat shaming, weight bias: How to respond. WebMD.

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The CultureHug PodcastBy Culture Hug