Book Review - Fat Talk: Parenting in the Age of Diet Culture by Virginia Sole-Smith

Fat Talk: Parenting in the Age of Diet Culture by Virginia Sole-Smith is about parenting young children at an age when the word “fat” is considered a sinful trait and an insult. In the current landscape, kids and adults learned that being thin is in. They have learned to equate body size with value. Parents worry about the size of their children and the consequences of them being fat. 

The multibillion-dollar industry thrives on our fear of being fat. There have been countless wars on obesity for the past forty years, but research has shown that Americans haven’t gotten any thinner or happier with their bodies. Perhaps what needs to change is our biases.

I thought the book was an okay read. It addresses the biases that people have about being fat. I will admit it was hard coming to terms with a few things as an obese person myself. I found some of the information helpful and the author does provide parenting strategies to start a dialogue with their children about weight, health, and self-worth. I was conflicted on some parts of the book, as while the book is quick to point out biases and fatphobia, I feel like I was just as stuck on what to do as when I first started reading the book. I feel like at times the author was discouraging eating in moderation, being active, and other “healthy” behaviors. It was almost like I had permission to continue eating unhealthily and not exercising, and that the world should rather change its view of physical size. Personally, as a person who struggles with their weight, I do like the “body positivity” or not tying my worth with my size but continuing to have unhealthy eating habits and patterns doesn’t seem like a wise way to go either.