Fat Shame to Fat Pride: Fat Women's Sexual and Dating Experiences

Abstract

The fat female body is typically not considered attractive or sexual in Western culture. Not surprisingly, the scholarship about fat women's dating and sexual histories is deficient. To address this gap, 36 fat-identified women were interviewed about their body image, involvement in the size acceptance movement, and their dating and sexual histories. Results indicated that most participants felt intense body shame and had unsatisfying sex lives until they began to embody fat pride. Embodiment of fat pride has reportedly diminished feelings of body shame, helped most develop confidence and appreciation of their bodies, and has positively affected their sex lives.