Why “Before And After” Photos Aren’t Okay
By: Sparklle Rainne
Tags: Fatphobia, Discrimination, Social Justice, Medical, Size

Photo by Florian Krumm on Unsplash

First, let me note that I am simply a person who has been involved in fat studies for 14 years. I will provide links to resources at the end of this article for further reading on the topic, including those from medical professionals and other professionals who are more qualified than I am.

First, let’s talk about weight stigma. One major example of weight stigma is that it’s very common, unnervingly common, for people to go to the doctor and have a medical issue passed off as something that is due to weight without adequate testing OR care being provided. Say that I, a thin person, goes to the doctor for a medical issue that I’m experiencing — pain or chronic sore throats, for example, since I have both chronic pain and chronic sore throats. I get adequate testing, referrals to specialists, cancer screenings (if applicable), and all of the possibilities of what could be going on with me are looked at. Someone without thin privilege goes to the doctor for the same issue, and they’re told to lose weight. No testing, no vetting to see if it could be something else, just “lose weight.”

Studies show that weight stigma and discrimination itself contributes to health problems, including early mortality. There are many publicized accounts of people dying from medical neglect as a result of weight stigma. Yes, research indicates that the problems that people who are uneducated on the topic tend to correlate with weight could all be attributed to oppression just as well. Oppression is a stressor. Not just on your mind, but on your body as well. This is also one potential reason that conditions and concerns such as diabetes and hypertension also impact people of color at a higher rate. It is also true that weight satisfaction (REGARDLESS OF BMI) leads to better health outcomes. This means that anyone engaged in concern trolling is…well, they’re dedicated to harming others. They’re dedicated to oppressing others. They’re definitely not dedicated to health and wellness, though.

This is why medical advocacy exists, but it is not readily available in many areas. Additionally, this is why there are doctors and other professionals who go the (necessary, not extra, but necessary and should-be-required) mile to receive training in health at every size (HAES). So, you may wonder, what does this have to do with before and after photos?

Size-related before and after photos are inherently damaging because they continue to uphold the idea that thin = better. When something upholds the flawed idea (that has been proven wrong many times — in fact, studies show that adults in the “overweight” category have BETTER health outcomes, which just goes to show that health can’t be determined by who exists within the tiny, tiny range that the BMI allows…and by the way, a mathematician created the BMI…it was never meant to be used as a marker of health) that thinner is better, it harms people. It leads to a continuation of the theme where:

Size discrimination in medical settings persists, leading to early death, fear of going to the doctor, not receiving important screenings such as cancer screenings that a thin person would be provided for the same issue, and lazy, negligent care from providers.

Size discrimination in the workplace is upheld and prevalent.

Size discrimination in social settings persists.

People are bullied and ridiculed for engaging in almost any activity, whether that’s eating, running, dancing, posting a photo of themselves online, or something else.

Size continues to be upheld as an instantaneous marker for health, when again, that is simply not true.

Let me also make the very important point that people of all sizes can be unhealthy — thin people, fat people, people who are right smack in the middle, you name it. Health is not, and never will be, a qualifier for basic human decency or respect.

So much of the pushback when people point out that it is wrong (and dare I say, personally, inhumane) to post and like before and after photos tends to include comments such as “but it’s about a person bettering themselves.” These comments alone say one thing, and that’s that your fatphobia is showing. Thinner isn’t inherently better, and it’s time to really challenge that until people are treated equally and assumptions aren’t made. Your assumptions are hurting people. Not only that, but people can see what you post and like. Before and after photos tend to imply that the after is better, which says “it’s a huge achievement not to look like you!” to people who look like the person in the before photo…regardless of their health status, which again, is not a qualifier for basic human respect. Basic human respect should include not having “before” photos of people who look like you posted on the internet with the implication that the “after” is better.

As a person with thin privilege, writing this is the bare minimum. If you’re not educated enough to fight against the use of before and after photos, simply help out by not posting them, sharing them, or liking them.

Here are some aforementioned resources for further reading:

“Fearing the Black Body: The Racial Origins of Fat Phobia” by Sabrina Strings, found here: https://nyupress.org/9781479886753/fearing-the-black-body/

https://haescommunity.com/search/ (Medical providers)

https://benourished.org/

Authors note: The O-words are medical slurs. Before and afters related to size are damaging in all contexts, including in the eating disorder recovery community.