NAAFA Community Voices Blog

Sharing thoughts and ideas from fat community.

Image shows a young black woman with blonde hair and wearing glasses, a pink sweater and a laptop on the desk in front of her.

Image shows a young black woman with blonde hair and wearing glasses, a pink sweater and a laptop on the desk in front of her.

Blog postings are shown in date order of posting (newest to oldest). You may search by author, tag or use the following categories: Events, From the Newsletter, Guest Posts, History, Legislation, LGBTQIA+, Medical, Press Releases, Resource Guides, Videos, Webinars.

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Media and Research Roundup - June 2022
From the Newsletter, Antiracism, Healthcare, Medical Terri and Bill Weitze From the Newsletter, Antiracism, Healthcare, Medical Terri and Bill Weitze

Media and Research Roundup - June 2022

For the latest information and research on fatness, check out the Media & Research Roundup. This issue features: 14-year old Zeke Sanchez and how he is changing body expectations, memories of activist Dr. Cat Pause and discussion of the numerous weight loss drugs that the FDA is approving, and more!

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RESEARCH SURVEY OPPORTUNITIES

RESEARCH SURVEY OPPORTUNITIES

NAAFA is introducing RESEARCH SURVEY OPPORTUNITIES, a new monthly feature in the NAAFA Newsletter and on the NAAFA Community Voices Blog,.

The purpose of this feature is to share the opportunity to participate in surveys or studies that directly affect fat community. These research participation opportunities have been presented to NAAFA for possible sharing by the individuals or organizations that are leading the research. They were not created by nor are they sponsored by NAAFA.

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Media and Research Roundup - March 2022
Activism, Medical, From the Newsletter, Healthcare Terri and Bill Weitze Activism, Medical, From the Newsletter, Healthcare Terri and Bill Weitze

Media and Research Roundup - March 2022

For the latest information and research on fatness, check out the Media Research Roundup. This issue features: lack of plus-size representation in fashion week, being weighed at the doctor’s office, anti-discrimination in Brazil, WW’s violation of the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act Rule and more!

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Media and Research Roundup - February 2022
Activism, Medical, From the Newsletter, Antiracism, Healthcare Terri and Bill Weitze Activism, Medical, From the Newsletter, Antiracism, Healthcare Terri and Bill Weitze

Media and Research Roundup - February 2022

For the latest information and research on fatness, check out the Media and Research Roundup. This issue features: how far we have gone and how far we need to go to change the pervasiveness of the "ideal body" in teen magazines, don't weight me cards, body neutrality, and more!

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Media and Research Roundup - January 2022

Media and Research Roundup - January 2022

For the latest information and research on fatness, check out the Media and Research Roundup. This issue features: a travel article featuring Chubby Diaries travel blogger, Jeff Jenkins; a podcast interview; long term risks associated with WLS; Jessamyn Stanley shows how fitness instructors can become a fat ally and more!

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How A Doctor’s Allyship Is Changing My Life

How A Doctor’s Allyship Is Changing My Life

Medical avoidance was the norm after my teenage years. The loathing and judgement from medical systems was too much. Avoidance put me in the hospital twice. I could not bear the thought of going to the doctors. I would cry at the thought of it. If for some reason I had to go, the entire time was panic-inducing.

Fast forward to 2020 and my forties. I was a few years into learning about Health at Every Size (HAES), weight biases, and Fat Liberation. I decided to take the leap and sought after a weight-neutral doctor. After researching in my area, I found one.

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Media and Research Roundup - December 2021

Media and Research Roundup - December 2021

For the latest information and research on fatness, check out the Media and Research Roundup. This issue features: Fat myths, Bo-Po vs fat acceptance, healthism and ableism attitudes, traveling while fat, sharing fat history in an archive and more!

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Following Dr. Ernsberger‘s Path:  How Giving to NAAFA’s New Scholarship Supports Fat-Positive Science
From the Newsletter, Guest Posts, Medical, LGBT+, BIPOC Darliene Howell From the Newsletter, Guest Posts, Medical, LGBT+, BIPOC Darliene Howell

Following Dr. Ernsberger‘s Path: How Giving to NAAFA’s New Scholarship Supports Fat-Positive Science

The Dr. Paul Ernsberger research scholarship fund was established through the generous gift of one of Dr. Ernsberger’s colleagues. In this blog post, Dr. Richard Koletsky, who was Dr. Ernsberger’s research partner for many years at Case Western Reserve University, gives us more insight into their work and why it’s essential that Paul’s approach be carried on by the next generation of researchers.

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Collecting Care Rationing Stories to Advocate for More Inclusive Healthcare

Collecting Care Rationing Stories to Advocate for More Inclusive Healthcare

During emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic, when hospitals are overwhelmed with the number of people needing help, they turn to “care rationing.” Care rationing means medical providers limit the types of care they provide to certain people.

Sometimes care rationing means that people will be denied life-saving care and instead will only receive care to help them be more comfortable. When care rationing happens on the basis of certain characteristics, it can be unlawful or wrong. Because COVID precautions often mean patients are without their usual support systems, care rationing can happen behind closed doors without input from family members, friends, support workers, or community. It is important to share stories of discrimination so that all people receive fair treatment.

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Media and Research Roundup - October 2021
Activism, Media, Medical, From the Newsletter, Health At Every Size Terri and Bill Weitze Activism, Media, Medical, From the Newsletter, Health At Every Size Terri and Bill Weitze

Media and Research Roundup - October 2021

For the latest information and research on fatness, check out the Media and Research Roundup. This issue features: debunking the science of the cause of fatness (or are they?), the real stats about COVID-19 risks to fat folx, Fat Studies focuses on fat activism and more!

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Media and Research Roundup

Media and Research Roundup

For the latest information and research on fatness, check out the Media and Research Roundup. This issue features: studies around weight loss surgery complications, discussion on the body positivity vs fat liberation, Lizzo’s statement that body positivity is leaving out black and brown folx, new regulations from the FAA and more.

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Media and Research Roundup
Medical, From the Newsletter, Healthcare, Activism, Media Terri and Bill Weitze Medical, From the Newsletter, Healthcare, Activism, Media Terri and Bill Weitze

Media and Research Roundup

For the latest information and research on fatness, check out the Media and Research Roundup. This issue features: studies around weight loss surgery complications, discussion on the body positive movement, NAAFA's FLARE (Fat Legal Advocacy, Rights & Education) Project provides a COVID-19 Vaccine Access , Fat Fact Sheet and more.

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Media and Research Roundup
Medical, From the Newsletter, Healthcare, Activism, Media Terri and Bill Weitze Medical, From the Newsletter, Healthcare, Activism, Media Terri and Bill Weitze

Media and Research Roundup

For the latest information and research on fatness, check out the Media and Research Roundup. This issue features: studies around weight loss surgery complications, discussion on the body positive movement, NAAFA's FLARE (Fat Legal Advocacy, Rights & Education) Project provides a COVID-19 Vaccine Access ,Fat Fact Sheet and more.

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Diets Really Don’t Work
Guest Posts, Medical, Fat Liberation Month Peggy Howell Guest Posts, Medical, Fat Liberation Month Peggy Howell

Diets Really Don’t Work

Stop believing the diet industry’s marketing. Stop believing the hype and the lies. We are not all meant to be the same. We come in all sizes; short, tall, thin, fat and everything in between. Learn to accept and celebrate our differences.

Stop buying into the lies that you are not fine just the way you are. Don’t believe the diet and healthcare industry when they tell you they are only concerned about your health. It’s not your health, it's your money that concerns them!

Take the time to consider what you are hungry for and enjoy the best possible food you can. Find an activity that you enjoy, whether it’s walking, swimming, dancing, working out...include that in your life on a regular basis. Focus on the things that matter like family, friends and helping others. The rest will take care of itself!

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