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Are you skinny? Are you fat? People automatically assume, based on your weight, what your life is like--which results in photos like this. | Source: Shutterstock
Glamour recently reported that weight stereotyping is very real–and very rampant. And it’s most common for women to judge other women. What the heck, girls? We’re in this together!
Are you fat? If so, you’re being judged on your weight, and probably more openly. In any case, what are the inaccurate assumptions being made about you? People in Glamour’s study were six times more likely to label an overweight woman as “slow”–wtf?!–and 10 times more likely to call her “lazy”–even BIGGER wtf?! What does your weight have to do with how hard you work or how smart or speedy you are?
Are you skinny? You’re far from exempt from judging. You’re eight times more likely to be seen as “vain” and twice as likely to be labeled as “bitchy.” Uh, what in the world?
Not only are these stereotypes often completely unfounded, but they’re also damaging not only to our personal lives, but to our professional ones. The study noted that overweight women were more likely to be overlooked for jobs, even if they were more qualified for them than a thinner person. That sucks not only for the overweight person who’s out of work, but also for everyone cleaning up after the underqualified thin person who got the position–and for the thin person who may be in over her head at work. Not good for any of us!
Additionally, while it’s awesome that there are movements now for body acceptance of all shapes and sizes, Glamour brought up a point that irked us, too: By insisting that “real women have curves”–and they do!–it’s also sort of enforcing the idea that thinner women aren’t, well, real, and reinforcing the stereotype that thin women are mean.
Miley Cyrus went through similar issues recently when she lost weight. First she was too chunky for Hollywood (or is it Hollyweird)’s standards. When she lost weight from Pilates and cutting out gluten and lactose for her allergies, she was blasted for being anorexic. What the heck?
Which is mean? Which is a slob? You don't know, so stop acting like you do! | Source: Shutterstock
No matter what size you are, you’re being judged for your weight–and admit it: you may be judging others on theirs, too. The best way to stop this phenomenon is with yourself. If you see an overweight person and automatically assume they’re lazy and sloppy, think of it this way: You don’t know her life. She may be working three jobs and have a thyroid problem. You don’t know. If you roll your eyes at a thin person and by default think she’s cruel and stand offish, why don’t you try smiling at her and starting a conversation?
Are you fat? Are you skinny? It shouldn’t matter. And it won’t if you change your attitudes and habits not just about your weight, but about everyone else’s.
Have you ever been openly judged on your weight? Do you judge others on their weight? How do you think we can change weight stereotyping? Tell us in the comments!
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Supplies For The Dumped 
I agree with Jane. I have to prove , over and over that just because I’m bigger than all the other girls doesn’t mean I’m slow or lazy! Unfortunately I’m 5ft 4, and a little over 300 pounds. It causes me problems, and I am starting to exercise & eat healthier because I don’t want to have problems in the future. My one weakness, I love food! It comes in so many different flavors, and I want to try them all! I constantly have to ask myself “Am I really hungry?” So often the answer is no! I am getting a little closer everyday to controlling my eating habits. It is hard, but I’m determined! Where there’s a will, there’s a way!
I find it very mean for anyone to call anyone fat or skinny. No one knows what that person has gone through in his/her life.
I’m 60 lbs. overweight, and I’ve been called through in disgust. Everyone tells me to change myself, and that I’m a pig. WTF! Just because I am bigger than anyone, it doesn’t mean that this person has the right to call out names for everyone who may be bigger.
Besides, whenever I go to a doctor, they measure my height and weight. I’m 5’7” and 215 lbs. I’m supposed to be maybe 175 – 180 lbs. I exercise and hardly eat every day, and I enjoy it! I lost maybe 2 lbs. in 3 weeks! But I do have another question: When liking someone (i.e. your crush), does weight really matter?
I’m super skinny. My mom says I’m built like my grandmother who has a eating disorder!!!!!!!!! I’m perfectly healthy, no eating disorders on me!!!! What’s creepy is you can easily feel my arm bone, my hip bone is easily seen kinda and bulgy, and I’m weakish. I eat tons but stay the same. I’m healthy, but it’s still there!!! Nobody comments on it and i feel good. It creeps me out but, ya.
People love yo weight!! If yo fat, then yo fat!! If yo skinny, then yo skinny. Love yo self!!!! If others don’t then, f them!!!!!! LOL
-.-
Weight is such a huge issue for girls in our society today. I’ve always been very thin; people would always tell me that I was perfectly skinny. Last year, however, I went through a lot of tough times with my family, friends, and my boyfriend. I started to starve myself and became anorexic. Over about 8 months I lost 35 lbs. I went from 115 lbs to 80 lbs, and I am 5′ 4”. This is extremely underweight. I had to go through massive treatment, but I am finally recovered more than a year later. I still have major issues with eating and weight, but things are so much better now. I cannot even tell you how much happier I am now, 35 lbs heavier. Just because you’re skinny does not make you happy. And just because you gain weight does not make you sad. I am happier than I have ever been, and I’m heavier than I’ve ever been. Love yourself no matter how much you weigh. You’re beautiful just the way you are and don’t let other people’s opinions change your opinion of yourself.
Yeah, i ever judged by my weight. Not very often. But these people often says about my feet. They said i have a big feet. I don’t know why because my feet are bigger than normal since i was born. Not too big. But sometimes it made me shy
did anyone hear about that gene out there that supposedly come ppl have that makes them prone to being overweight? it is something like your body needs you to eat 200 cals less than an average weight person, but your body signals you to eat 200 cals more. that makes a lot of sence!!!!
I have always been naturally underweight and because of that I grew up with whispers behind my back about how I have an eating disorder. I’ve never had an eating disorder. I’ve had doctors even ask me about my eating habits! I’m 25 and I had(I’m pregnant now) weigh 100lbs from the time I was 13. I still can fit into a size 1 (using hairbands because of the baby bump now).
The thing is that health wise when they check my vitals, my blood pressure, my chlorestoral, iron and thyroid I’m 100% healthy. I’m actually praised on how great my results are!
I’ve never discriminated against a person’s weight. I know what it felt like since I got picked on the way the a heavier person would in high school. I always have friends of all shapes and sizes. I also used to run into the problem where guys my heavier friends thought were cute would hit on me and so they would stop inviting me places even though I never went over to the guy he ALWAYS stopped me when I was on my way to or from the bathroom.
Judgment def comes from both sides.. big girls do pick on us small girls and vice versa. I say why worry so much about size and learn to love healthy bodies. Healthy doesn’t always mean skinny..every body is different
You rule!!!!!!!!!! You sooooooooo right!!!!!! High Five!!!!!!
All of my friends are those naturally skinny people who weigh like 105 lbs and eat like there’s tomorrow. I was bouncing around the 150′s for a couple of years, which wasn’t fun while my friends were no more than 110 lbs. Two years later and 40 pounds down, I was forced into treatment for bulimia.
I went from 115 to 126 (now) in a matter of a month and am really struggling to stop purging due to my horrid self esteem.
There’s so much pressure for girls to be sticks, it’s sickening. Everyone should be able to feel comfortable in their own body, but it’s damn near impossible when every model, actress and singer is racking a size 0.
You NEVER really know what someone is going through. Just because they’re packing a few extra pounds doesn’t mean they are lazy or don’t care about their body, for all you know they may not have eaten in a week, they could have health issues, maybe they can’t afford healthy foods or a gym membership.
I hate when people walk up to me and say “Um, ew, are you anorexic? You should get help or something!” You would not believe how many people have actually walked up to me and said that! Just because I am skinny doesn’t mean I have an ED!!! I am 14 years old, 4’8″ and weigh 70 pounds. Yes, I realize that I am really skinny, but I am trying to gain weight and I do not and never have had any eating disorder! I actually eat a lot more than all my friends! People should get a life and not judge people by their size.
I’m super fat ! I weigh 40 more pounds than other peeps of my age..! gwad helpp meee :’(
It’s OK. Your not “fat”. If yo have a medical problem with yo weight then you could be a bit “overweight” Don’t worry about yo weight unless it got doctor worried!! K? If somebody calls yo fat, then they feel so bad about themselves that they need to insult people. So be glad ’bout yo weight!!! It who yo are!!!!!!!!
I’m overweight, and I have a good comback for all my other overweight girls [power!!!]
If a guy is being a jackass and calling you mean names, say this without smiling, and use direct eye contact -
“You know what they say about guys with big mouths.. They’re small everywhere else”
I tried that, and that guy shut up the rest of the time I knew him
First of all curvy women r thin for the most part. TINY waist. Fat doesn’t mean curvy. I’m a size 2 and a CURVY hourglass. 36-24-26. I’m not overweight but aim curvy. Get ur facts right!!!!!
I love this article!
@amanda get up and start working out?
I’m skinny and people think I go on diets to be skinny even though I’m not dieting. They don’t think of me as vain or anything, they don’t treat me that way..because I can see most people have respect for me like they do for any normal person.
I have a guy friend who is always saying that I’m fat, just because I’m not a stick insect like he is. And I’m not even overweight!
thats life. lose weight.
Not everyone is “fat” or “skinny” some of us are considered average weight or a little bit overweight, etc. Plus I’m sure people who are simply overweight don’t like being labeled fat. If someone called me fat I would be offended no matter what size I was. I understand what you’re trying to say about not judging others base on their weight, however if you want to get the message across better try not to come off as being so offensive. Thank you.
I find the picture at the top very offensive. I’m am overweight but I HATE fast food. I eat a salad about 5 times a week. I eat healthier than most of my skinny friends. My overweight is mot do to me being lazy or stocking up on fast food. It’s in my genes. 70% of my family are overweight. Both of my parents are. Just because I am overweight doesn’t mean that I love to eat junk. People should be judged on their ability to work hard, their inteligence, and what’s on the inside. THANK YOU!
i am overweight. people call me lazy and fat and say that i smell. they call me a tomato.
OMG!!!!!!!!!!!! thats sooo mean!!! I know where your coming from Im overweight too and the kids at my school dont call me names but they just look at with with disgust. I feel your pain and its so not fair!!!
honey youre a beautiful person, don’t ever let anyone tell you otherwise.
That happens to a kid in my class!!!!! Ignore them!!! I do that, I ignore people who r super mean. I’m super skinny, and hate it!!! I think people look at me funny ’bout my weight!!! I pretty much try to ignore it!! One last thing those kids are freakin’ mean!!!!!