Myths and Truths about Fat (borrowed/ paraphrased and plagarised from various sources) Myths Myth 1. All fat people eat too much and don't exercise enough.  There are people out there of every size, shape and colour that don't eat a healthy diet or exercise enough. It is not just fat people. Many fat people eat less and more healthy foods than those who are naturally thin, but have a different size due to their genetics and metabolism.    Myth 2. People don't realize they are fat or why. Fat people realize they are fat. In a fat phobic world it is difficult to miss. We are harassed everyday in verbal and non verbal ways pointing out our difference.  While for some fat folks it is a mystery why they are fat despite their lifestyle choices, for others it can be because of genetics or disease (Type II diabetes, PCOS etc.)    Myth 3. Fat people are lazy and slow. Fat people are often as active as their thinner counterparts. They play sports, work laborious jobs, care for their children and lead normal and active lives. Some fat people have their motion impaired because of their size, but slow does not always equal lazy.     Myth 4. Fat people eat because they're always hungry. While some fat people may overeat, they don't overeat from hunger. Overeating is an eating disorder that stems from greater emotional issues.  Also moving more bulk requires more energy, so some fat people eat larger than normal portions to fuel their daily activity.  Myth 5. Fat people are always unhappy being fat. Not all fat people are unhappy about their size. Size acceptance means accepting your body, and becoming happy with it Myth 6. Fat is unhealthy  There is no denying the statistics that obesity increases the risk of heart disease and diabetes, but both diseases also appear in those who are thin. Those who are fat have a decreased risk of getting some cancers (still trying to find the stats on t  hat one) and when you look at the results of dieting and weight loss surgery, being fat seems a whole lot healthier.  Myth 7. Fat people can laugh at themselves Fat people do have a sense of humour, but not all fat people appreciate seeing other fat people being used as  a cheap joke or easy laugh. It shows a lack of imagination on the part of a writer or producer to make a fat person a joke or a gluttonous stereotype.  Fat people can laugh at themselves, take Roseanne for example, but we don't like being made outrageous caricatures, for example Prime time Glick. Myth 8. Fat people don't have eating disorders A personal fave. Fat people can have eating disorder- overeating is one, there a also many fat bulimic who have not been able to get help because of their size. Size is not the issue with these disorders, but can be another symptom that feeds the disease.  Myth 9. Size Discrimination is insulting to those people who are discriminated against on the basis of religion, race, sexuality, gender or disability. This one has been trotted out in the media lately as we are looking to have size discrimination included in our state anti discrimination law.  Members of this group have been verbally harassed, in public and at work, have been denied work, clothing, medical treatment, safety equipment and support on the basis of size. Some of us are restricted in the public spaces we can occupy because of our size. This is different to discrimination based on ability, religion, race sexuality or gender in what way? Because we can supposed to be able to change our situation, I can no more change my body type than I can change my gender. I find it insulting to ask a homosexual to "play straight" - changing my body size is like asking them to change their sexuality, I can be in denial, it could be dangerous, but my true nature will win out in the end.  Myth 10. Fat people are just jealous of those people who work to be thin.  We are happy with who  we are. But we are human and while sometimes we fantasize about being thin and perky, we also fantasise about being younger, or blonder or smarter. Fantasizing is human nature. But we live with the truth. We want to be ourselves, not someone else.  Truths Truths are easier to prove- there are people in this group who are living evidence. Truth 1. Fat people are active.  There are people in this group who swim, walk, run, play netball and even go abseiling.  Truth 2. Fat people are sexy. The people in this group are living proof. Like all different groups of people, we have different levels of attractiveness and sexual preferences and mores. Fat people are sexy and sexual- check out Big Big love by Hanne Blank Truth 3. Fat people are intelligent Truth 4. Fat people are discriminated against AS stated before, people in this group have suffered discrimination  they have  been denied jobs been denied medical treatment had their size blamed for a non weight related medical condition denied safety equipment verbal harassed suffered discomfort in public places due to inadequate furniture.     Truth 5. Fat people can be healthy Health is not about size, but lifestyle choice. If you eat healthy food and exercise regularly, you will become healthy regardless of size.  Truth 6. Even those fat people who have accepted themselves and their bodies have "bad self" days. Everyone has an off day- even the kings and queens of self acceptance, but you put on your favorite outfit, give yourself a treat and you will feel better tomorrow. Truth 7. Fat people want to wear nice, well fitting clothes and enjoy social events like "normal sized" people.  Truth 8. Dieting is dangerous 80% of people who diet regain the weight they lose and some more. The more times you go through this yo yo cycle, the more likely you are to suffer heart disease and regain more. Seems safer not to diet.  Truth 9. Weight Loss Surgery is dangerous Link to come Truth 10. Size acceptance activism is about more than getting comfy seats or trendy clothes for fat folks.  It may seem that furniture and clothes are our big issue, it is beyond that. Size Activists want a world where fat kids are active in sport and don't fear verbal harassment, fat patients are treated for their disease, not their weight and participating in society is a positive experience for all sizes.