Facebook has removed the “fat” option from its list of “feelings” available as part of its status feature, apparently in response to a Change.org petition which gathered almost 17,000 signatures.
Playwright Catherine Weingarten and a group campaigning against negative body image, Endangered Bodies, argued that “fat” is not, in fact, a feeling, and that the status option – along with an illustrative emoji face with a double-chin – was derisive to overweight people and damaging to those struggling with body image.
Weingarten’s petition statement read:
“As someone who has struggled with and overcome disordered eating, I know what it’s like to “feel” fat. I have spent years of my life consumed with negative thoughts about my body, and far too many days starving myself in an effort to lose weight.
“But even worse than the skipped meals and the hours spent obsessing in front of the mirror was the fear of what others thought about me and my body.
“Fat is not a feeling. Fat is a natural part of our bodies, no matter their weight. And all bodies deserve to be respected and cared for.”
Facebook has since contacted Weingarten to inform her that the status option and accompanying emoji have been removed, and replaced with the more neutral “feeling stuffed”.
The statement Facebook released is as follows:
“We’ve heard from our community that listing “feeling fat” as an option for status updates could reinforce negative body image, particularly for people struggling with eating disorders. So we’re going to remove “feeling fat” from the list of options.”
In response to the decision, Weingarten posted on the petition: “I’m thrilled that Facebook decided to remove the “feeling fat” emoji. This success shows us that people together can challenge the cultural messages that are so damaging to our ability to love ourselves and live comfortably in our bodies.”
Users of the social network are also given options to elaborate on their statuses with other drop-down menus, apart from to state how they are feeling. Options include: what people are listening to, reading, watching, looking for, eating drinking and where they are travelling to.
Rather worryingly, users are able to choose “a rifle” for something they are looking for. Or “feeling crazy” – with an exaggerated emoji featuring popping eyes. Users can also choose from Coca-Cola, McDonald’s and Vodka Redbull in the eating or drinking categories.
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