who is already feeling marginalized or stigmatized due to their size.”
Bond echoes this concern, noting that the impact of this trend on young children is particularly troubling. “I think it’s really hard for them to understand that it’s a joke, because kids are so literal,” she says. “And it’s really hard when they’re getting mixed messages from adults, too.”
So, what can be done to combat this harmful trend? Experts agree that open communication and education are key. “I think the best way to address it is to have open conversations with young people about the impact of their words and actions,” Hansen says. “Help them understand that even if they don’t mean harm, their words can still hurt others.”
Bond plans to continue talking to her daughter about body positivity and self-acceptance, and hopes to spread awareness about the harmful effects of this kind of language. “It’s important to have these conversations, because if we don’t, it’s just going to continue,” she says.
Ultimately, the rise of “big back” and other fatphobic slang serves as a reminder of the ongoing work needed to combat weight stigma and promote body positivity. As Greenberg puts it, “We need to do better as a society in terms of the language we use, the way we talk about bodies, and the way we treat each other.”