The deviant body : lived experiences of fat Singaporeans

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a growing body of research on fat stigma and discrimination that counter medically claimed warnings of a global “obesity epidemic”. These studies, however, are largely Western-centric and little remains to be known about the prevalence of stigma against fat individuals in Singapore, despite reportedly becoming a fat nation. This paper thus examines the lived experiences of fat Singaporeans to recognize the ways in which they encounter stigma and the accompanying strategies employed by them to cope with it. 14 in-depth interviews were conducted with Singaporeans who self- identified as being fat. Findings revealed that these fat individuals experience stigma and discrimination through the family, school and workplace, and are forced to engage in risky weight loss strategies to negotiate their stigmatized identities due to time and financial constraints.