J.K. Rowling said it best when she said, “is fat really the worst thing a human being can be? Is fat worse than vindictive, jealous, shallow, vain, boring, or cruel?”

It seems as though in today’s society we so eagerly judge the people around us from their outward appearance instead of getting to know the person for who they really are.

Fat shaming has become a nationwide issue causing today’s youth and young adult age groups to show an increase in eating disorders.

In early September, comedian Nicola Arbour’s made a YouTube video exhorting fat people.

Near the middle of her six-minute rant in “Dear Fat People,” Arbour went so far as to say, “that means you’re too fat, you should stop eating.”

The video received major attention on social media and soon it spread to the news media as well.

The YouTube video received responses from many people such as comedian Shawn Halpin.

Halpin replied with a video that said, “Fat shaming isn’t a thing? Why don’t you tell that to the kids who killed themselves because people were fat shaming?”

Another response came from Whitney Way Thore, Star of TLC’s “My Big Fat Fabulous Life,” who brought up the unseen side of things.

Thore brought to light that there are some medical circumstances that do not allow people to lose their weight.

Outside of the video people are beginning to come together in attempts to end fat shaming all together.

In an interview done by “Showbiz Tonight,” Jennifer Lawrence said that calling someone fat on television should be illegal because it teaches young girls that it is OK to call another person fat.

I believe that a person who is overweight is simply going to feel discouraged instead of inspired to change their lifestyle if someone were to put them down because of their weight.

In teens especially the risk factor for fat shaming is high.

The rates of suicides and depression among youth are alarming.

Not only is there fat shaming in today’s society, but people who are thinner than a socially accepted “standard” are victims of scrutiny as well.

Dana Oliver wrote an article for Huffington Post about her constantly being made aware of her smaller than average figure.

Some people believe that they are complimenting Oliver when the way it comes out sounds more insulting.

Many people get lost trying to portray the message that accepting your size is great and end up going towards the polar opposite by saying things such as people are attracted to curves over bones.

Oliver then goes on to point out that on an episode of the reality show “House of Curves,” public relations assistant Kelli Flournoy was referred to as a “skinny little stick figure.”

The name of the show being “House of Curves” made people on the show questioned how she could possibly be helping the brand.

People are always influenced by society and media to strive for average.

We are made to believe that if we do not meet the standard “normal” then we are far from beautiful.

Both men and women in today’s world should not be afraid to be simply who they are, no matter what shape or size that happens to be.

Before any shaming occurs people should think how the old saying goes “What Susie says of Sally says more of Susie than Sally.”

Cheyenne Fitzgerald  is a senior journalism and  psychology major. She can be reached at 581-2812 or cmfitzgerald@eiu.edu.