A body-image activist group called Endangered Bodies has launched a Change.org petition urging Facebook to remove the "feeling fat" status update and accompanying emoji. As of early this morning, the online petition had more than 15,000 signatures.
The Endangered Bodies activists believe that the "Feeling fat" choice, which is one of the preset options on Facebook's dropdown list of status updates, encourages body-shaming and self-destructive thoughts.
The petition reads:
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Facebook said in statement, "People use Facebook to share their feelings with friends and support each other. One option we give people to express themselves is to add a feeling to their posts. You can choose from over 100 feelings we offer based on people’s input or create your own."
The social network also said that it's working with the National Eating Disorders Association to provide resources for those struggling with eating disorders and that it encourages people to seek help for a friend who might have an eating disorder.
- As someone who overcame an eating disorder, I too find this offensive.
- Feeling fat emoticon fosters bullying...
- I have an eating disorder (for the past 40 years). I don't think it's funny or fun and is targeted toward women, who often "feel fat" when they are not.
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