More than two-thirds of North Carolina adults are overweight or obese, and our state has waged a war against fat with the Eat Smart Move More campaign and its obesity prevention plan. But not everyone agrees with this. "Fat-activism" - It’s a growing movement of fat people and "fat-supporters" who say It is possible to be both fat and healthy. Programs that target and shame obese people can lead to unfair discrimination in the workforce, the schoolyard, and even in the medical field. The American Medical Association listed obesity as a disease last month, but these activists say "weight" and "heath" are two separate things. Will the push for fat-acceptance help reduce discrimination and bullying, or could it lead to a society of overweight Americans? We’ll speak with two “fat-activists” as well as a kinesiologist to find out more when Charlotte Talks.
Guests
Ragen Chastain – Leading "fat-activist" blogger. Her blog is danceswithfat.com and Author of Fat: The Owner’s Manual – Navigating a Thin-Obsessed World with Your Health, Happiness, and Sense of Humor Intact
Scott Gordon – Chair of UNCC’s Department of Kinesiology
Michael Buchanan – Writer of the book and the adapted screenplay The Fat Boy Chronicles. His film has just been released on Netflix.