How FAT Turned Negative

Embracing our bodies, no matter what.

Seda A.
5 min readAug 7, 2023
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Culture, media, and opinions of “experts” have an effect on changing perceptions, feelings, and attitude of the masses.

And a single word can carry multiple meanings, connotations, and emotions. “Fat” is one of those words that is controversial at times.

The history of “fat” is surprising as it had a positive meaning back then before it became a weapon in the 20th century.

This adjective has undergone a remarkable transformation, shifting from a symbol of prosperity to a hurtful and stigmatizing label. Let’s dive deep into how that shift happened and stay till the end for a motivational boost. ❤

History of FAT.

Let’s define “fat,” shall we?

fat (adjective)

The first two definitions that come up on Merriam-Webster is “notable for having an unusual amount of fat” and “having excessive body fat.

But what’s the perception of “fat?”

In history, fat has been a positive word since being fat was associated with wealth and prosperity. It’s because in times when food scarcity was a genuine concern, having excess body fat was a sign of abundance and luxury.

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Seda A.
Seda A.

Written by Seda A.

Screenwriter & Storyteller, coming from Chemical & Biological Engineering and Music background ✍🏼👩🏽‍🔬⚗️🎹🎻🎤🔮

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