The first section of the module is an Introduction to Fat Activism, which provides a critical overview of fat and anti-fatness informed by fat studies and fat activism.

The next section, Useful Frameworks of Fat Activism, introduces important concepts in fat activism, including the “Good Fatty/Bad Fatty” dichotomy, the fat spectrum, and weight-inclusive health frameworks.

Fat Activism Through Digital Storytelling presents examples of how fat activist artists have used digital storytelling—short digital videos—to share their experiences and challenge mainstream perspectives on fat.

The final section, The Real Epidemic: Anti-Fatness in Health Care, questions the construction of fat as a health problem and highlights activist responses supporting the well-being of fat people.

Throughout, the module incorporates learning activities, resources, and questions for reflection, while showcasing fat activist art that underlines the joy and vitality of fat life and speaks back to anti-fatness.  

Learning Objectives

By the end of this module, you will

• Be aware of diverse understandings of fat and fatness, including fat activist, fat studies, and medicalized conceptions.
• Understand the liberatory goals of fat activism movements and the liberatory potential of fat activist art.
• Develop your capacity to critically engage with representations of fatness.
• Be familiar with frameworks for understanding fat and fatness, including the concepts of “good fatty/bad fatty” archetypes, the fat spectrum, and weight inclusive health frameworks.
• Understand criticisms of the “obesity epidemic” and normative weight science.
• Recognize the impacts of anti-fatness in health care, including in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Module Sections