The weight of a person is almost always under scrutiny and conventional judgement. Think back and try to recall a moment anyone (even yourself), uttered the phrase, “Have you gained weight?” without a derogatory connotation attached to it. Why does this simple observation have to contain undertones of hostile mockery? Are we that dissatisfied with our own lives that we must entertain ourselves with someone else’s flab?
The idea of a perfect body image, propagated by the use of extensive Photoshop and commercialization of the physical form, has seeped so deep into our perceptions of reality that it has started affecting men and women in all spheres of their lives. I once overheard a floor mate of mine tell her friend that she needed to throw up. Being a lover of all things at the cafeteria, my thoughts immediately knew who to blame. But, as it turns out, she actually wanted to throw up because she had just gained two pounds.
Two pounds.
The “National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders” published a statistical analysis of data, taken from several well renowned psychological publications, stating that "91 percent of women surveyed on a college campus had attempted to control their weight through dieting."
Another study titled "When it comes to pay, do the thin win? The effect of weight on pay for men and women," conducted by the Journal of Applied Psychology in 2010, found that a woman of average weight makes approximately $389,300 less than a woman who is 25 pounds underweight over a 25-year period in the U.S. This statistic shows that your income is inversely related to the number of pounds you weigh. In return, what’s the price many will pay? Anorexia, bulimia, malnutrition...and they’re just the first few names on a very, very long hospital bill.
It’s a vicious circle. Body shaming and self-loathing practiced by men and women lead to an increase in the occurrence of these disorders. Now these individuals, so used to relying on eating disorders in order to obtain their perfect body, influence the upcoming generation.
Since when did a little flab become a reason for psychological trauma and self-harm? Why does the topic of weight make you cower in fear or embarrassment? The thought of gaining a dress size seems to be a common worst nightmare nowadays. But it won’t matter if you’re a size two or an eight if you’re mentally and physically unhealthy. None of these disorders sounds like fun and neither does obesity.
And you, what are you starving yourself for? More attention? A job? Approval of all the people you probably shouldn’t give a damn about? It’s not worth it. Opportunities and people come and go—it’s inevitable—but your body is something you can’t get rid of. The sooner you love it, the faster it’ll love you back.
That condemnatory nature in people isn’t going to change, but you certainly can. All you need is a little bit of sass and whole lot of confidence to show those people their place. So, the next time someone asks if you’ve gained weight, flash them a bright smile and say, “Hell yeah I’ve gained weight! As for you … err, seems like you’ve shed some character."
