In Italy, the government has recently recognised obesity as a disease, giving it the same medical and social weight as other chronic health conditions. For many, this decision might not be surprising, obesity can lead to serious issues such as heart disease and physical debilitation. Yet historically, obesity has been perceived not as a medical issue but as the result of laziness or poor lifestyle choices. This perception often made individuals living with obesity the target of ridicule and shame, rather than compassion or care.
Depictions of Obesity in the media
For most of the 20th century, and still today in some cases, being “thin” was equated with being “good,” while being “fat” was seen as “bad.” This binary was deeply ingrained in popular media, particularly film and television. Thin actors typically played the heroes or love interests, while overweight characters were relegated to roles of comic relief, with humor often derived at their expense.
A clear example is the 2001 film Shallow Hal, starring Jack Black and Gwyneth Paltrow. The movie centers on a superficial man who is cursed to see people’s inner beauty. He falls for an overweight woman, played by Paltrow in a fat suit, whom he perceives as slim and conventionally attractive. The film’s comedic foundation relies on visual gags and stereotypes about weight, reinforcing the idea that obesity is a personal failing, rather than a complex condition with many contributing factors, many of which are outside the individual’s control.
A change in public opinion
Shallow Hal is just one of many examples where overweight individuals have been the butt of the joke. For decades, TV and film consistently portrayed larger bodies as sources of ridicule rather than as fully developed characters. But in the past decade, public opinion has started to shift, thanks in part to the rise of body positivity and inclusion movements. These efforts challenge narrow beauty standards and advocate for fairer, more empathetic representation of all body types.
In 2016, for instance, Mattel introduced its Barbie Fashionistas line, which included dolls with diverse body shapes, skin tones, and features. This marked a significant departure from the traditional ultra-thin Barbie and acknowledged that beauty is not one-size-fits-all.
The stigma surrounding larger bodies is not just about appearance, it has roots in class and access. Before the Industrial Revolution, fatness was often associated with wealth and health. Ancient statues and artworks reflect beauty ideals that valued fuller figures, contrasting sharply with today’s often unattainable social media standards.
In the modern world, thinness has increasingly become a luxury. Access to gym memberships, fresh food, and time for self-care is often limited to the privileged. Working-class individuals are more likely to experience barriers to maintaining what society deems a “healthy” body. Blaming those with obesity for being “lazy” ignores the many socioeconomic and environmental factors that contribute to weight gain, such as food deserts, stress, and lack of healthcare access.
Italy’s decision to classify obesity as a disease acknowledges these complexities and represents a shift away from blaming individuals. Recognising obesity as a medical condition means better access to treatment, support, and a reduction in stigma, particularly for those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
If this policy change is accompanied by broader efforts in media and public discourse to portray diverse body types with dignity and realism, it could lead to meaningful change, not just in healthcare, but in how we view and treat one another.
