Fat And Happy In Defense Of Fat Acceptance By Mary Worley

In the article “Fat and Happy: In Defense of Fat Acceptance” by Mary Ray Worley the idea of accepting one’s body for what it was is encouraged. Worley addresses the societal view on “fat” which is that those who are fat are inferior and ignored. Then Worley explains how she had attended a convention. The convention Worley had attend was the NAAFA convention in San Diego. Worley then says “I never knew how deeply my body shame affected my life until I spent a glorious week without it. I’ll never be the same again” (Worley, 163) At the convention Worley recalls attending a pool party where people wore swim suits without feeling embarrassed, meeting vendors who sold clothes that not only fit her but looked good, performing a number in a talent show, watching belly dancers and watching a featured speaker.

Diane Budd who spoke of the scientific view on fatness. She explained how “the data gathered for most current studies indicate that body size is primarily determined by one’s genetic makeup”(Worley, 164). Although body size is determined by genetics Dr. Budd still recommended attempting to lose weight. Dr. Budd’s speech was what really shifted the mindset of Mary Ray Worley. That is when Worley realized that “it’s best to get on with the business of learning to live in the body you have, whatever its size” (Worley, 164).
The convention completely changed her view on how she saw herself; instead of seeing herself as something inferior she now knows she should see herself as a natural beautiful human.
Worley describes the convention as if she were from another planet. Another planet where being overweight is accepted not shunned. Worley emphasizes the significant difference of the experience between on the“different planet“, the convention, and her “home planet”, reality. She felt accepted and acknowledged at the convention unlike everywhere