subjected to either verbal or even physical attacks based purely on their size

We’ve all heard of laws to protect people from racial, religious and ethnic bias but there is very little that can be done for people who suffer the brunt of ‘fattism’. Fattism which is described as discriminating against people based on their weight is not a legal term and therefore you can’t be prosecuted for being a ‘Fattist’, however things could change after growing numbers of obese individuals in the UK have decided that enough is enough and that it is time to start campaigning for proper laws to protect them from what they say is unfair discrimination and bias.

They say that they don’t enjoy being shouted at, spat at, or even set upon by bullies and thugs purely because of their weight and that legal changes need to be made so that ‘Fattist’ attacks will be prosecuted with the full force of the law. Practically every single obese individual can recall an incident where they were subjected to either verbal or even physical attacks based purely on their size. These attacks which often leave the victim humiliated and distraught can cause psychological damage and depression.

When somebody calls you fat even if you are only slightly overweight it can be extremely insulting and demeaning because it implies that you have a lack of self control.  Common unjustified prejudices imply that overweight and obese people are both lazy and stupid and they are the causes of their weight problem. Ms. Susie Orbach the author of the book ‘Fat is a Feminist Issue’ believes that the problem of fat prejudice is deeply ingrained into society and is being highlighted by the media obsession with being thin and also by the growing numbers of obese individuals in wealthy nations.

Dr Ian Campbell from the Overweight Clinic based at the University Hospital in Nottingham said that there is a ‘huge social stigma’ towards obesity and that even young children sometimes show a bias towards their overweight peers.