I’ve been seeing terms like “mid-size” and “superfat” being used on Instagram. What do they mean? — Anne K., 24
These are designations on the spectrum of fatness, a set of terms created by and for the fat community to self-identify one’s size. These size categories aren’t universally agreed upon — folks can identify however they please — but serve as a general outline for where one falls on the spectrum of fat privilege.
Those who fall on the smaller end of the size spectrum are afforded more privileges than those on the opposite end. The further you go on the larger side of the spectrum, the more likely a person is to face discrimination, institutional sizeism, be denied medical care, face trouble accessing public spaces, and more.
Within the fat community, these designations allow for a shorthand when sharing information. For instance, if I’m in need of a new pair of jeans, I can ask a Facebook group, “I’m a mid fat looking for some new wide leg jeans. Any suggestions?” That way, those who respond know what general category of store I would be able to fit in.
You may find yourself identifying with one or more of these “fategories,” or decline to use them altogether. Please note that because this scale uses women’s clothing sizes as a rough outline, it isn’t as inclusive of men, trans, and non-binary folks as it could to be. Here’s a general rundown:
Inbetweenie or Mid Size — sizes 12-14
Someone who falls between straight sizes (00-14) and plus sizes (14+) and most often presents as straight size. They are able to shop in-store at mainstream brands and experience little to no anti-fat bias in daily life. Not typically considered plus size or fat.
Small Fat — sizes 14-18
Someone who wears the smaller end of plus sizes and may be able to fit into some straight size clothing. They have the most privilege of the fat spectrum and do not typically have trouble with size-based accessibility.
Mid Fat — sizes 20-24
As the name implies, folks that land somewhere in the middle of the size spectrum. They experience institutionalized sizeism but not as much as those on the larger side of the size spectrum.
Lane Bryant Fat — sizes 24-28
Also known as Large Fat, “Lane Bryant Fat” is a term coined by writer Roxane Gay. It refers to people who can still shop at Lane Bryant, which up until recently, offered clothing up to a size 28. (Lane Bryant now offers sizes 10-40.)
Superfat — sizes 26-32+
Popularized from the 2008 NOLOSE Supersize Caucus, the term was created as a “term of power for the fattest of the fat.” Those in this category consistently face size discrimination such as denial of healthcare, being unable to shop in-store for clothing, the inability to access public spaces, etc.
Infinifat — sizes 34+
A complementary term to superfat, infinifat was coined by Ash of The Fat Lip podcast to describe those whose “size is greater than any assignable size number.” “Too fat for commercially-available clothing,” they are sized out of brick and mortar plus size stores and must order clothing online. In some cases, they may not know their size. In order to fly, they must purchase two seats. They experience acute institutionalized sizeism daily.
Death Fat — sizes 36+
A cheeky version of infinifat, the term was created by Lesley Kinzel as a way to point out “ridiculousness of ‘morbid obesity’ as determined by the BMI scale” and poke fun at strangers concerned with the perceived health dangers of her size.
These size distinctions highlight different types of life experiences of those in smaller bodies versus larger ones. Activists underscore that those on the smaller end of this scale (small fats and mid fats) have an obligation to use their size privilege to uplift the voices and experiences of superfats and infinifats. This scale is a tool to facilitate honest discussions about size, privilege, and access, and understand how fat people of different sizes have distinctly different life experiences.
Can you share a reading list for someone who’d like to educate themselves on the history of fatness and anti-fat bias? — Jenny M
Here are some books I recommend to folks of any size wanting to educate themselves on sizeism, the origins of anti-fat bias, and diet culture:
Fearing The Black Body: The Racial Origins of Fat Phobia by Sabrina Strings
In this riveting exploration of the intersectionbetween race and size, Sabrina Strings examines how modern society’s anti-fat bias originates with the fear and hatred of Black women. Strings argues “that fatphobia, as it relates to Black women, did not originate with medical findings, but with the Enlightenment era belief that fatness was evidence of ‘savagery’ and racial inferiority.” A vital work on the genesis of fatphobia.
Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body by Roxane Gay
A memoir of being fat in an aggressively anti-fat world, Roxane Gay’s book weaves together the story of her body through deeply personal vignettes. A compelling — and at times gut wrenching — exploration of her life as a fat bisexual Haitian-American woman.
Health At Every Size: The Surprising Truth About Your Weight by Lindo Bacon, PhD
Considered the seminal work on the Health At Any Size (HAES) movement, Lindo Bacon argues that health exists on a continuum and is available to all — whatever the size of your body. HAES principles include embracing size diversity, trusting the body’s natural signals of hunger and satiety, practicing joyful movement, and treating oneself with love and respect. Recommended for those looking to embrace a holistic definition of health — one that doesn’t decree weight loss as required.
(credit to Strorberry in The Fat Amy thread)
