ABSTRACT
This essay covers the intersection of Fat Studies and public health. Generally, public health takes a traditional medical perspective on fat bodies and approaches them as bodies with a disease (obesity) in need of treatment and at increased risk of several chronic illnesses. This fundamental paradigm difference between public health and fat politics writ large (Fat Studies and Fat Activism) has often resulted in clashes between the two. For example, fat activism has often targeted public health in its actions, specifically public health campaigns that increase weight stigma or negative treatment of fat people through body or fat shaming. Health at Every Size is briefly highlighted as a movement from within public health and by health practitioners to pursue improved health for individuals regardless of body size. This work is also closely aligned with a rise in critical obesity studies that challenge public health traditions about obesity and its relationship to other health problems. Finally, the recent public health literature on weight stigma and its negative mental and physical health effects is reviewed.
