The 'O' Words

As one fat activist says, these terms "medicalize difference," and erroneously link unhealthy lifestyles to people with larger body sizes.

Marilyn Wann, author of Fat!So? and a leader in the size-acceptance community, says "overweight" implies an unrealistic standard that fat people must attain. As for obesity, "I don't believe in the concept," she says. "Being fat is not a disease. The only thing anyone can diagnose by looking at a fat person is their own level of stereotype toward fat people."

"Fat" is the preferred adjective in the size acceptance community.

Wann and the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance are proponents of a weight-neutral approach where "fat" is not a scary word. Weight neutrality allows a person to be whatever weight their body chooses while promoting healthy eating habits, exercise and a positive body image. The approach rejects the myth that a person's character can be determined by body size.

Also called the Health At Every Size approach, weight neutrality overcomes the stigma of size and nurtures a student's self-esteem.

There is a growing community of healthcare, fitness, nutrition and research experts who identify as Health At Every Size proponents. It is based on the understanding that even when a child is eating a nutritionally sound diet and engaging in physical activity, his or her body weight may not change.

That's OK, says nutritionist Frances Berg: "Your appearance doesn't define what kind of person you are."

"Our body size is part of our human diversity. It should be celebrated," agrees Debora Burgard, creator of www.BodyPositive.com. "The medical community is absolutely convinced that fat is a pathology. Healthy weight is the weight that you are when you're living in a healthy way."

For more information on Health At Every Size, visit the Association for Size Diversity and Health.