Despite these historical and cross-cultural values, Western society promotes widespread hatred and fear of fat. From an early age, children learn that fat people are to be stigmatized. Numerous studies suggest children of both sexes develop clear preferences for thin bodies. Studies show that children as young as four and five have already developed extremely negative stereotypes about fat. Top Hatred of fat is a socially acceptable form of prejudice.
Fat people are still the butt of jokes by many professional comics and cartoonists.
Strong economic, psychological and social sanctions against fat are imposed on women and men. However, studies suggest these sanctions are more severe for women. Fat women have greater difficulty getting accepted into college and are paid proportionately less than thin women or fat men in comparable jobs. It is frightening to note that the ideal of physical beauty is one that is becoming increasingly standardized throughout the world. While thinness is an important component of the beauty ideal, it is not the only one.