UK Fat Talk Free Week Launch
Posted by Anthony on 16 November 2025
Eating disorders charity The Succeed Foundation launches the UK's first FAT TALK FREE WEEK - an international, 5- day body activism campaign to highlight body image issues and the damaging impact of the ‘thin ideal’ on women in society.
When is Fat Talk Free Week?
Since its initial launch by Tri Delta in the United States in 2008, the campaign has become a national success and spread globally. Last year the Fat Talk Free Week Viral Campaign – posted on YouTube became one of the most viewed videos of the week in Education Category; viewed by over 100,000 people.
Following the campaign’s huge success in North America, this year The Succeed Foundation will be launching Fat Talk Free week for the FIRST time EVER in the UK – from the 16th to 22nd of October.. The first workshop is being held at Roehampton University this weekend.
What is Fat Talk?
Fat Talk describes all of the statements made in everyday conversation that reinforce the thin ideal and contribute to women’s dissatisfaction with their bodies and can be extremely damaging. Examples of fat talk may include: “I’m so fat,” “Do I look fat in this?” “I need to lose 10 pounds” and “She’s too fat to be wearing that swimsuit.”
The Dangers of Fat Talk:
Seemingly innocent comments like, "You look so good! Have you lost weight?" Or, "You look really thin in that outfit! I love it!" often fuel unhealthy body image and feed the notion that people only look good if they lose weight. Other forms of Fat Talk also include asking others how you look as well as analyzing your body ruthlessly in the mirror before you go out.
1.1 million people in the UK are affected by an eating disorder. Research shows that eating disorders and lack of a positive body image go hand in hand. Shockingly the results of our body image survey conducted in April 2011 revealed that 30% of women would trade at least one year of their life to achieve their ideal body weight and shape. Although people often believe that fat talk is useful for combating obesity, fat talk promotes body dissatisfaction which research connects with decreased exercise and lower levels of fruits and vegetable consumption. It is now clear that hating our bodies is not an effective path towards health.
Fat Talk Free Weeks Aims:
The Succeed Foundation along with our key partners Tri Delta (in the U.S) aim to raise the nation’s consciousness about the dangers of "fat talk" and the impact it has on women’s self-esteem and confidence. The goal of the Fat Talk Free Week initiative is to eliminate that kind of talk from our lives, regardless of the source. So whether you overhear someone else making a comment to someone about how they look, or your friend asks you to critique how she looks, or whether you're doing the critiquing on your own – step back and stop the fat talk. We can't have a healthy body image if we're engaging in fat talk. So the motto of the campaign is, "Friends don't let friends fat-talk."
Notes for Editors:
The Succeed Foundation was set up in 2010 with the aim of raising awareness and providing support for those affected by eating disorders. The charity has a wealth of sound scientific research behind it thanks to its association with a number of academic institutions; including The University of the West of England and their Centre for Appearance Research.
Millions of people in the UK suffer an eating disorder, with the 14 to 25 year age group most at risk. The proliferation of idealised images of ‘beautiful’ people, the air-brushing techniques that hide reality and the parade of slim models in the media has contributed to an increasing dissatisfaction with our weight and the way we look. Standards of beauty have in fact become harder and harder to attain, particularly for women. The current media ideal of thinness for women is achievable by less than 5% of the female population.
Contact:
The Succeed Foundation
7-8 Kendrick Mews, London SW7 3HG, UK
Telephone: +44 (0)207 052 9203
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.succeed-foundation.org
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSucceedFoundation