Descriptions of four talks...
The Real F-Word — Fighting Weight Bias During the 'War on Obesity'
This talk begins with a discussion of words that are commonly used for fat people and their inherent messages. Marilyn's personal story about becoming a fat activist brings home the real-life impact of such popular terminology. Next, the audience spends a few minutes doing the Speed Anthropology exercise, a lively brainstorming session designed to map stereotypes related to fat and thin. We name this big picture and consider its impact on us and its connections to other forms of bias. Marilyn guides audiences gently through the two main options people have when faced with weight bias: a traditional focus on weight and weight-loss goals or a social justice model that celebrates weight diversity and aims for Health At Every Size®. She shares her extensive knowledge of data, research, and community resources that support a shift in attitudes about weight. Audiences learn about the hidden costs of weight-negative belief systems and consider the potential benefits to personal satisfaction, productivity, and health from rejecting such thinking. The closing is a simple interaction that shows the power of intention and the possibility of being motivated by joy rather than fear.
Participants report feeling relief that weight pressures can be addressed productively, hopefulness about adopting and maintaining healthy behaviors, and empowerment to address weight bias and discrimination that they encounter. Read their testimonials. For more information, contact Marilyn directly.
Pleasure or Punishment? — Health At Every Size vs. Weight Goals
In this talk, Marilyn reviews popular myths about weight, health, nutrition, and fitness. She invites people to use what they already know about what works in their lives to reconnect with health-enhancing habits in an enjoyable and sustainable way. Wann discusses current data and research to demonstrate the commonly overlooked failures and harm of a weight focus and weight-loss goals. Then she presents the four powerful motivators of a Health At Every Size® approach: self-acceptance, feel-good fitness, enjoyable and worry-free eating, and a weight-diverse worldview.
Participants report renewed hope for happiness and health, excitement to learn more about how they can implement Health At Every Size.
Read testimonials. For more information, contact Marilyn directly.
ThighDentity Politics: Fat Studies, Intersectionality & Weight Stigma
This talk raises audience awareness with a review of data about the prevalence of weight bias and discrimination and a discussion of their disproportionate impact on women, people of color, older people, people with disabilities, and other groups that already face systemic disadvantage. Marilyn discusses how weight stigma interacts with people's experience of gender, race, sexuality, and other identities and how the interdisciplinary field of fat studies offers a useful new angle on systems of oppression related to embodiment.
Participants report an increased consciousness of weight stigma that they find useful and meaningful, both personally and academically. Many express interest in the interdisciplinary field of fat studies. For more information, contact Marilyn directly.
What do you YAY? — Attitudes & info for young people of all sizes
Marilyn gave her first weight diversity talk to 7th graders in a Health Ed class. She feels strongly about offering children and teens of all sizes support for resisting pressures around weight, appearance, eating, and exercise, as well as awareness about body diversity. This talk is highly interactive and uses what young people already know to empower them in living well in their own, unique bodies. Marilyn raises awareness about how weight prejudice can be harmful to young people of all sizes. Children and teens suggest situations where people are likely to face weight pressures and brainstorm positive ways they can respond, in the future. Marilyn presents basic information about the Health At Every Size® approach and has participants try out experiences that demonstrate what it's like to reclaim food and fitness as fun, healthy endeavors that celebrate all bodies. Audiences for this talk especially enjoy trying out the Yay! Scale™, which gives (age-appropriate) compliments instead of numbers.
Participants have a good experience and reliably take away messages about body pride, self-esteem, healthy living, and social justice related to weight diversity. Read their testimonials. For more information, contact Marilyn.
Return to talks page.
This talk begins with a discussion of words that are commonly used for fat people and their inherent messages. Marilyn's personal story about becoming a fat activist brings home the real-life impact of such popular terminology. Next, the audience spends a few minutes doing the Speed Anthropology exercise, a lively brainstorming session designed to map stereotypes related to fat and thin. We name this big picture and consider its impact on us and its connections to other forms of bias. Marilyn guides audiences gently through the two main options people have when faced with weight bias: a traditional focus on weight and weight-loss goals or a social justice model that celebrates weight diversity and aims for Health At Every Size®. She shares her extensive knowledge of data, research, and community resources that support a shift in attitudes about weight. Audiences learn about the hidden costs of weight-negative belief systems and consider the potential benefits to personal satisfaction, productivity, and health from rejecting such thinking. The closing is a simple interaction that shows the power of intention and the possibility of being motivated by joy rather than fear.
Participants report feeling relief that weight pressures can be addressed productively, hopefulness about adopting and maintaining healthy behaviors, and empowerment to address weight bias and discrimination that they encounter. Read their testimonials. For more information, contact Marilyn directly.
Pleasure or Punishment? — Health At Every Size vs. Weight Goals
In this talk, Marilyn reviews popular myths about weight, health, nutrition, and fitness. She invites people to use what they already know about what works in their lives to reconnect with health-enhancing habits in an enjoyable and sustainable way. Wann discusses current data and research to demonstrate the commonly overlooked failures and harm of a weight focus and weight-loss goals. Then she presents the four powerful motivators of a Health At Every Size® approach: self-acceptance, feel-good fitness, enjoyable and worry-free eating, and a weight-diverse worldview.
Participants report renewed hope for happiness and health, excitement to learn more about how they can implement Health At Every Size.
Read testimonials. For more information, contact Marilyn directly.
ThighDentity Politics: Fat Studies, Intersectionality & Weight Stigma
This talk raises audience awareness with a review of data about the prevalence of weight bias and discrimination and a discussion of their disproportionate impact on women, people of color, older people, people with disabilities, and other groups that already face systemic disadvantage. Marilyn discusses how weight stigma interacts with people's experience of gender, race, sexuality, and other identities and how the interdisciplinary field of fat studies offers a useful new angle on systems of oppression related to embodiment.
Participants report an increased consciousness of weight stigma that they find useful and meaningful, both personally and academically. Many express interest in the interdisciplinary field of fat studies. For more information, contact Marilyn directly.
What do you YAY? — Attitudes & info for young people of all sizes
Marilyn gave her first weight diversity talk to 7th graders in a Health Ed class. She feels strongly about offering children and teens of all sizes support for resisting pressures around weight, appearance, eating, and exercise, as well as awareness about body diversity. This talk is highly interactive and uses what young people already know to empower them in living well in their own, unique bodies. Marilyn raises awareness about how weight prejudice can be harmful to young people of all sizes. Children and teens suggest situations where people are likely to face weight pressures and brainstorm positive ways they can respond, in the future. Marilyn presents basic information about the Health At Every Size® approach and has participants try out experiences that demonstrate what it's like to reclaim food and fitness as fun, healthy endeavors that celebrate all bodies. Audiences for this talk especially enjoy trying out the Yay! Scale™, which gives (age-appropriate) compliments instead of numbers.
Participants have a good experience and reliably take away messages about body pride, self-esteem, healthy living, and social justice related to weight diversity. Read their testimonials. For more information, contact Marilyn.
Return to talks page.