Sociologist Tressie McMillan Cottom on the “Obesity Penalty” & Weight Stigma

Celebrated author/sociologist/author Tressie McMcMillan Cottom says that to reframe the conversation about weight, you have to change the language in which we talk about it:
“There's a word I think I would love to introduce to our conversation. We've been talking about how to name and label things, and that word is stigma. So there's the shame we feel, and then there's the stigma that we label other people with. And I l have wanted all my life to move into a place of acceptance. But the thing is, I can accept myself and other people can still stigmatize me… and real joy is moving into a space of yes, I accept myself and my body reflects the best version of myself.”
In her conversation with Oprah, Tressie explains what the “obesity penalty” is, how it impacts men and women differently, and what it means to step into a place of self-love and acceptance.
The segment was part of “Making the Shift,” which aired on May 9 to a live studio audience. The 3-hour program unpacks the multifaceted, preconceived notions we have about weight, from the profound impact diet culture has had on our society to how we can reframe harmful narratives surrounding our weight and our bodies. The conversation - featuring Rebel Wilson, Busy Philipps, Amber Riley, and many other - brought together individuals, communities and medical experts to bridge the science of “weight” with a new outlook that brings the health and wellbeing of our bodies into focus.
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Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be regarded as a substitute for guidance from your healthcare provider.
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[@Dariam_M71]

Tressie McMillan Cottom is a dream and so dang smart. Thank you for your insights, seeing people, and offering your perspectives. My only pushback is that larger men suffer career wise as well. We suffer with relationships, navigating the world (outside of being a professional football player), and being taken seriously when we are vulnerable.

[@Lovelyone1]

They were talking relative to women. When it comes to appearance women will always be judged exponentially harsher. Plus, it’s usually men who are doing the promoting and selecting and they want to surround themselves with the most attractive women they can both professionally and privately Please don’t #metoo women. You know the truth.

[@Lovelyone1]

BEST SEGMENT OF THE SHOW!

[@immersiveexperiences4799]

Yes, that was an amazing segment! Please include Dr. Cottom in more conversations! She was on point!

[@TheTrinijane]

Dr Cottom is so smart and sensitive and articulates these issues so well. What a gem

[@Dr.PrettyProfessor]

Dr. Cottom was PHENOMENAL!

[@pattydyer09]

She was my favourite speaker by far! Intelligent, articulate and insightful.

[@gisselle7672]

Love Dr. Cottom's work. Typically don't watch these types of specials but her Instagram showed the clip was up and I had to watch. Well worth the view!

[@getsomebodyelsetodoit1]

It’s the quote that can be universal to all stigma, “I can accept myself and other people can still stigmatize me”! Says a lot.

[@marioncunningham8999]

The term “over weight” suggests that there is an optimal weight. Our language reinforces our biases.

[@wizardofahhhhhhz]

There is definitely an optimal weight range for our bones, joints, and organs to be able to function as efficiently as possible.

[@Lovelyone1]

@@wizardofahhhhhhzyes, thank you. I don’t like people always trying to play with words. It is what it is.

[@ChelseaDust-wg6pf]

beneath that judgement and negative emotions lies fear - fear and anxiety ♡ wise words - lets focus on access, opportunity, equality - lets end stigma

[@franceskaschaeuffele64]

To Oprah: it was never about Willpower. But about UNDERSTANDING: biology, chemistry, neurologie,... It's about knowing the human being in it's whole. As humans and as a singular, unique being we all & each and everyone of us is. Women and men. Let's not reduce it being about only women and obesity.

[@Lovelyone1]

And don’t reduce it to being equal when you know it’s not! Women will always be held to a double standard.

[@loripickering6700]

This was soooo good!! I laughed and mostly cried!!! Thank you!!!

[@ebvisionnetwork8758]

I am so happy Tressie to hear your comments/ I am a huge advocate for myself. I had to tell my doctor to respect me, and give me the treatment I need. I have been on Ozempic for 5 months and lost over 30 pounds. I am happy! And healthier…❤

[@marilynpelc5900]

She is phenomenal! !

[@Miss-Sunshines9431]

Listening to this viewpoint on this topic is magnificent and excellent. Having this dialogue allows for more open conversations 👌👌🔊👀👏💃💯🤝

[@paulawhite5699]

This is a reductive conversation for the special at large and also for what Ms. Cottom - as brilliant as she is - has to say here. Mentioning pay differential of people living with obesity without mentioning the fact that they use more healthcare dollars at work than non-obese people and that they are more likely to take time off work due to health issues is a dishonest way to have this conversation. Furthermore, the reality is that as long as this conversation is about obesity as a disease and about democratizing access to Ozempic, we are ignoring the elephant in the room which is that the “food pushers” who peddle highly processed foods to the American public have created this problem of widespread obesity. This conversation leaves them unscathed and locates the solution in big pharma when it should be about disordered eating spurred by addictive additives to food, and people not eating enough whole, unprocessed foods. The solution to obesity is not swelling the ranks of lifetime pharmaceutical customers to make them feel happier; it is disrupting the food system altogether and educating people on how their biology has been upended by the manufacturers of ultra-processed food.

[@Ruby-kr6fh]

I was very surprised that no part of the conversation in this video aimed to indict American food systems

[@dmystfy]

Exactly!!🎯

[@nowwhat1434]

Where did you get data on fat people missing work

[@Fiterq]

A couple of things - fat ppl using more healthcare dollars at work is a dubious assumption. Like Dr Cottom said if we focus on the working class and working poor many of their jobs don’t even offer insurance or they have subsidized government insurance if they’re lucky. I would also posit that fat ppl are more likely to take more time off work for health reasons because they are routinely denied screenings, procedures and medications on the basis of “you just need to lose weight” so obviously what was once an outpatient problem will devolve into a medical emergency that requires inpatient care . Also many large employers are utilizing algorithmic health insurance premiums based on weight ,blood pressure and glucose and other biometrics so fat ppl are actually paying more into health coverage and receiving less then their slim counterparts. Plus it isn’t just about the pay but : hiring, promotions, evaluations , workload etc Now I definitely agree that the big food manufacturers need to be accountable and that ultimately we must reimagine our food systems But let’s be real the ppl at the top of the food chain (pardon the pun) Nestle , Mars family, Cargill foods, Kraft etc. are ultra wealthy AND often descend from , or marry the heirs of the old elites such as the plantation owners and magnates/industrialists So if you’re asking why a billionaire is not challenging the aristocracy, you answered your own question. My guess is that because the stock value of weight watchers and other diet fraudsters was plummeting (because the drugs inadvertently expose the dishonesty of diet hustlers) the blue bloods sent the clean up woman to make it all right. The power-players of pharmaceuticals, food,energy ,military etc. , are all golf buddies or in-laws. The power players in media take direction from them. So there’s a possibility Dr. Cottom did address it and it was simply edited out. I do agree the food system must be redone totally but that also requires challenging the global power structure which is heavily armed and financed

[@allisontweedie5385]

I'm considered overweight. And the only "Health issues" I've used my health insurance for is therapy.

[@smoss3523]

brilliant. we need to change that people are mistreated for the choices they make about their body.

[@danalockerby9372]

I think this is upsetting. Taking about a new way of being kind and not being shamed and apologetic for the way things have been done in the past and the focus being different. I feel all of this is just another type of diet fad it’s like a joke to me I am sorry but it’s self serving trying another way of getting more customers. It’s just so much fluff . Every diet thing we have done in the past was wrong but this is not . So sorry just really turned me off .