A natural oily substance in the body and in food that stores energy and helps the body function; as an adjective, it means having more body fat than is considered average or healthy.
From Old English “fǣtt” meaning “well‑fed, plump,” related to “fǣtan” meaning “to cram, load.” It originally suggested being well nourished or rich.
For most of human history, fat was a sign of wealth and survival, not something to be ashamed of. The word’s older meaning reminds us that our bodies evolved to love stored energy because famine, not abundance, was the norm.
'Fat' has a long history as a stigmatizing descriptor, with strong gendered double standards: women and girls have been especially targeted by fatphobic language and beauty norms. Medical and popular discourse has often pathologized fat bodies, erasing agency and diversity.
Use 'fat' carefully and preferably as a neutral self-descriptor when people choose it; avoid using it as an insult or shorthand for health, and do not apply it differently across genders.
["higher-weight","larger-bodied","plus-size (for clothing contexts)"]
When discussing body size, include perspectives from fat activists, many of whom are women and gender minorities who have challenged discriminatory norms.
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