This month we are discussing various perspectives on the practice of Land Acknowledgements. Land acknowledgements are written or verbal statements recognizing and honoring those who are indigenous to the places we live and work.
Read More
Content warning: Use of language that may be triggering
The NAAFA Chronicles reflect a piece of fat acceptance/fat activist history.
Read More
…year-round, media coverage of “larger bodied people” is almost 120 more times likely to focus on diet and weight loss than on weight stigma, bias or discrimination, according to just-released research from the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance (NAAFA).
That statistic is so staggering that we decided to do our own small part toward evening the score.
Read More
CONTENT WARNING: Some articles featured in the Media & Research Roundup may refer to stigmatizing events or use stigmatizing language.
For the latest information and research on fatness, check out the Media & Research Roundup.
Read More
Content warning: Reviews of a documentary mention the "O" word and WLS, as well as discussion of guidelines put out by an organization for evaluating commercial IWL promotions
The NAAFA Chronicles reflect a piece of fat acceptance/fat activist history. In the June 1987 issue you will find: Discussion and commentary about: the documentary "Life in the Fat Lane"; guidelines for evaluating commercial weight loss promotions; NAAFA committee appointments and a message from the Newsletter editor; a review of a live show, "The Late Great Ladies of Blues and Jazz"!
Read More
CONTENT WARNING: Some articles featured in the Media & Research Roundup may refer to stigmatizing events or use stigmatizing language.
For the latest information and research on fatness, check out the Media & Research Roundup. This issue features: NAAFA's Chair, Tigress Osborn, responds to Kanye West's incorrect and anti-fat comments about Lizzo's weight; Was COVID's severity due to fat being a risk factor or was it poor medical treatment of fat folx?; Coverage of a fat-positive summer camp experience called Camp Roundup; and more!
Read More
Each month, we will be featuring educational resources on the NAAFA Community Voices Blog. Some resources will be historic information about systemic racism. Others will be resources on doing the internal work of understanding ourselves and how we play a part in that system. This month’s Anti-Racism Resources focus on Indigenous People in honor of Indigenous Heritage Month.
Read More
Content Warning: Some references to fat shaming in medical offices and discussion of weight loss drugs
For the latest information and research on fatness, check out the Media & Research Roundup. This issue features:
Read More
In 2016, Ash Nischuk expanded the concept of the “fat spectrum” by adding the category of “Infinifat,” a term which she coined to describe people of any gender who are larger than U.S. women’s clothing 34/36. (See Editor’s note for more on terminology). Identifying as Infinifat herself, she's been an example of what it means to fight against all fat oppression and marginalization, but especially as they're experienced by those on the fattest end of the spectrum (Superfats and Infinifats).
In this interview, Angel Austin (she/her) speaks with Ash about what life has been like for her, feelings she has about maneuvering online given the elusiveness of "safety" as an infinifat person, and her thoughts on the current state of the fat liberation movement.
Read More
This month we are looking at anti-discrimination and/or anti-rasicm legislation that has passed and those that are currently pending in the 117th Congress, which will end January 3, 2023. For the pending legislation, there is a link to information about who sponsored it, the actual text, and actions taken. It’s important to be aware of our rights and how legislation can support us in our work to end racism. If you have questions or comments about a specific resolution, bill or act, you can contact your representative via email.
Read More
Content warning: Discussion of cancer diagnosis and treatment
When I was initially diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005, I was thrust into a whirlwind. I found myself in a medical world where every tool in my toolbox, and some I didn't have yet, were going to be needed. I became an advocate, an expert, a researcher, and a journalist all at the same time. If each of these roles had an actual hat, picture a mile-high stack on my head. All these new roles were, of course, simultaneous with my daughter, mom, sister, friend, and other everyday roles. I was suddenly faced with so many medical decisions that were ultimately body and life altering decisions. I admit my initial choices were more based on saving my life more than being a cancer survivor and advocate. I was forced into one of the biggest strength tests of my life. You've probably heard the adage, "You don't know how strong you are until you have no other choice.” Well I was about to find out.
Read More
CW: Health concern trolling
The NAAFA Chronicles reflect a piece of fat acceptance/fat activist history. In the April 1987 issue you will find: 1987 Convention updates, Matrix Woman's Newsmagazine devotes an issue to fat liberation, outrage in activism, media and publicity information, health concern trolling, and more!
Read More
Content Warning: Some references to fat shaming in medical offices and movies
For the latest information and research on fatness, check out the Media & Research Roundup. This issue features: Comedian Sofie Hagen writes about her fat liberation journey, fat shaming by medical staff, research on fat’s connection to the brain, a new fat black-latino gay hero in the comic book series "Black Vans", the use of a fat suit in the movie, The Whale.
Read More
Content Warning: discussion of suicidal ideation.
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. In the past, I haven’t acknowledged the cause. In fact, I stayed as far away from any mention of the word “suicide” as possible. I felt like being in mere proximity to the word would cast a light on a part of me I tried to keep hidden. The part of me that not only has attempted it in the past, but still thinks about it more frequently than I would like.
I’ve always felt such shame about my attempted suicide when I was younger, and even more shame that I still live with suicidal ideations. I wish I could say that it’s all behind me and I never have those thoughts anymore, but that simply isn’t true. Unfortunately, thanks to the stigma that still exists around mental health and mental illness, some of the shame still lives on, too.
In a time when so many people are dealing with difficult things, why do we all still try to deny that we’re struggling? If we were all honest with ourselves and each other maybe we would see more empathy being practiced.
Read More
The NAAFA Chronicles reflect a piece of fat acceptance/fat activist history. In the March 1987 issue you will find: a prominent health writer taking a stand against dieting, activism letter writing campaign, an update on the 1987 Convention planning, and an invitation to volunteer with NAAFA.
Read More
Each month, we will be featuring educational resources in the NAAFA Newsletter and on the NAAFA Community Voices Blog. Some resources will be historic information about systemic racism. Others will be resources on doing the internal work of understanding ourselves and how we play a part in that system. There may also be actions that can be taken to directly oppose racism.
In honor of Latinx Heritage Month, we are looking at racism both against and amongst Latinx people.
Read More
For the latest information and research on fatness, check out the Media & Research Roundup. This issue features: disordered eating in children, socio-economic impact on weight and health, open comment period on FAA seat safety, and weight-bias in healthcare.
Read More
During #fatliberationmonth, NAAFA invited Anna Chapman (@iamannachapman) as a guest on the NAAFA Webinar Series. During Anna’s episode, Self Care for Fat Bodies (From Practical to Pampering), we promised to create a blog post compiling the resources, suggestions, and information crowd-sourced from Anna and webinar participants. This is that post!
Read More
Fatshion (the term currently being used for fat fashion) and fatshionistas (those that love fat fashion) are something we see on social media every day. But what do we know of the history of women’s fat fashion?
This is part 2 of a 2-part review of the history of fat fashion visibility.
Read More
For the latest information and research on fatness, check out the Media & Research Roundup. This issue features: looking at the credibility of studies, issues in getting accurate blood pressure reading for fat folx, and other medical issues.
Read More