This is a harmful stereotyping of fat people as good or bad depending on a number of factors. Often “good fat” people have increased privilege in society as they are seen as more palatable, bad fatties being the opposite.

When someone doesn’t fit into the "bad fatty" archetypes then that is given as a reason why they deserve abuse, lack of healthcare, bigotry, etc. Often GFBF behaviors are unintentional or include unearned privileges. It doesn't mean that you’re doing something wrong or right if you engage in one thing or another.

Understanding how we perceive fat people can help us unlearn fatphobia and examine our biases.

What is the "good fatty" stereotype?

A "good fatty" is more acceptable to society and oftentimes is a safer role to inhabit as a fat person. Frequently pitied, encouraged, and celebrated for the weight they've lost or the journey they're on to lose weight. Good fatties are seen as more productive members of society and excellent tools for capitalism. Seen as morally superior to "bad fat" people. Can be looked down upon by others for still investing in diet culture and fatphobia.

Diets. Is actively trying to lose weight

• Eats "healthy" food in public or eats small amounts of food

• Works out, can be an athlete and able-bodied

• Is fashion-forward and adhere’s to gender norms

• The 1st to make jokes about their body size, the "funny fat friend"

• Is outwardly fatphobic and dislikes fat bodies, especially their own

• Says “I’m fat, but I’m healthy!”

• Has a “reason” for being fat that is seemingly "not their fault”

• Hourglass shaped

What is the "bad fatty" stereotype?

A “bad fatty" is way less acceptable to society and is often an unsafe role to inhabit as a fat person.

Met with anger, disgust, disdain, and ridiculed by many. Bad fatties are seen as less productive members of society and therefore less valuable. Judged as morally inferior. Celebrated by others for being “brave.”

Eats food perceived as “unhealthy,” potentially in public and on social media

• Wears clothes that have been deemed “unflattering” and show their body

• Likes being fat and celebrates size diversity

• Is not trying to lose weight

• Doesn’t discuss an “acceptable reason” for being fat

• Disabled, unhealthy

• Not adhering to gender norms of femininity or masculinity in appearance

• Doesn’t talk about their health status as a reason why they have more/less value

• Not an hourglass shape

It’s absolutely ok to do or be any of the items on the lists intentionally or unintentionally. Neither makes you better or worse. The GFBF dichotomy is made of stereotypes. No one fat person's experience is the same.

Where it becomes problematic is when we use the "good fatty" trope as a reason to discriminate against people who don’t adhere to it.

In understanding the good fatty, bad fatty dichotomy we also need to examine the factors that other systems of oppression play.

Racism, transphobia, ageism, ableism, healthism, and sexism to name a few.

The reality is that all fat people deserve basic human respect, equal access, and acceptance no matter what.

Sources:

Kate Harding, Stacy Bias, Ragen Chastain, Kitty Stryker

Further reading Gemma Gibson (2021) Health(ism) at every size: The duties of the “good fatty”, Fat Studies, DOI: 10.1080/21604851.2021.1906526