I think self-esteem IS a form of privilege. Obviously, a girl who thinks she deserves to live is better off than someone who doesn’t, just on that objective measure.

Indeed, my changing level of self esteem, as a fat woman has made such a difference to the way I feel that I no longer feel confident about assuming that thin people have more self esteem or are better off, which is what I just used to assume. In fact I was convinced, I saw evidence to the contrary, but I just felt like others that they were not realising the full gain out of the favouring of thinness.

Now, I even wonder whether that thinness; at least for women, is actually real, or just a theoretical thin state that they can never access, even when they are actually thin.

That might sound a bit strong, but things like this study are making me explore this thought.

I used to assume it was collateral damage as well, but there’s just seems to be so much of it, that I don’t know whether it’s less than that of fat (women) or just different .

I actually do feel better off compared to slim people who hate and loath their bodies. I know what it felt like to feel that way 24/7, the effects on me were physically as well as mentally debilitating in ways that I could not have understood previously.

I also suspect that’s the case with other’s too, although my case might have been due to the interaction between my mind and body.

Ironically it’s exposure to accepting myself that has given me more doubts.

I’m sure people who are much fatter than I am (BMI 40+) could make this list even longer.

I think this is in a way what I’m getting at, that differences in experience are as much about how fat you are, as they are between fat and thin. There is a difference between those who are less fat and those who are fatter, that might be greater than the former group and slim people.

A lot of the things listed don’t apply to me anymore than they do a slim or inbetween person to be honest. (Some of them are more specific to the US).

I know there are differences between the treatment and experiences of fat and thin, I’m very interested in fat people’s experiences, I’m just no longer convinced that thin does better than fat. Maybe they are just pinched in different places.

They need to know explicitly that the media and people they talk to are going to be trying to brainwash them (whether consciously or otherwise) into hating their bodies. Everything they see is going to be aimed at convincing them that a thinner body is better. They have to know that the healthy attitude is to be positive about your own body just like it is good to be patriotic about your own country, and they have to be taught to see the subtle body propaganda for what it is. How are they ever going to resist it if they don’t know that they are under attack? The persuasive brainwashing is subtle, relentless, and seems so REASONABLE when you first hear it because you’ve no idea the science is being misrepresented.

Once you’ve been exposed to the idea that this is going on, it is a lot easier to see it and a lot easier to prevent yourself getting influenced by it. Surely we owe it to our children to be as clear as possible to them about the (certain) dangers they face?

you can go to a hair salon and get the cut you want, and not their standard issue ‘fat woman hair cut’- I had murder with Toni &Guy as this was what happened to me.

you can do your weekly shop without other people peering into your trolley and raising their eyebrows if there is anything in there other than veg.

people won’t make the assumption that you are essentially asexual; or if they do accept your sexuality they won’t find it repulsive or humorous that you could experience sexual feelings.

you could reasonably expect to have those sexual feelings reciprocated and not laughed at.

But while self-loathing and the tyranny of diet culture can limit thin privilege, sometimes by a lot (particularly with interpersonal stuff), it doesn’t eliminate it entirely. Building off Caitlin’s list: also, you can apply to rent an apartment or get into college without worrying that your weight will keep you out; you can place a personal ad without worrying that the person who shows up will be angry that you turned out not to be thin (I had a friend this happened to despite her going out of her way to accurately portray her body size before meeting); you can be reasonably certain that any concert, reading, lecture, or sporting event will have seats big enough to fit you; you can get together with a group in a restaurant and not worry that you won’t be able to fit in the booth; you can accompany your children in public without them requesting not to be seen with your big fat ass. I’m sure people who are much fatter than I am (BMI 40+) could make this list even longer.

Having a HIGH STRESS LEVEL AND BOUTS WITH DEPRESSION ARE WORSE THAN BEING FAT when it comes to COSTS on the system.

Well, one reason why depression might increase one’s medical costs is that depressed people tend to live longer. But I’m glad to see that sensible people/medical professionals do acknowledge that fatness in itself doesn’t increase your health care costs all that much. It’s really the confluence of behaviors (poor diet plus the lack of exercise) and health outcomes (high blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides) — that most people associate with obesity — that makes the real difference.