Physical Activity for Every Body: A Model for Managing Weight Stigma and Creating Body-Inclusive Spaces

ABSTRACT

Modern cultural idealizations of thin bodies have created a climate in which fat individuals are stigmatized in physical activity spaces. Given the unwelcoming climate of these spaces, many individuals are unlikely to engage in and benefit from regular physical activity. As such, a new model for physical activity spaces is needed to engage and retain a largely marginalized population. In the current article, the authors give a brief review of the complex relationships among body weight, stigma, health, and physical activity, arguing that the current model underserves larger individuals. Using a Health at Every Size paradigm, the authors then argue for the creation of body-inclusive spaces as a means of encouraging greater participation and outline a model that encourages greater access to the benefits of physical activity to all bodies. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Body weight
• health
• health behavior
• motivation
• physical activity
• sport management
• sport sociology
• stigma

Notes

¹ Use of the term “fat” in this manuscript is designed to emphasize its inherent descriptive neutrality. This term is not meant to be (nor is it) offensive. Earlier literature suggests a return to the neutral use of the term, similar to dichotomous descriptors such as “tall” and “short” used to describe relative height. Positive euphemisms (“hefty,” “plump,” etc.) imply a forced positivity on an individual’s body type and are, therefore, not suggested. For a more complete explanation of fat terminology, see Wann (2009, p. xii).