Fat-shaming refers to belittling or ridiculing people because of a body perceived as too fat or too heavy. It is a form of body shaming and can manifest itself through comments, jokes, unsolicited weight-loss tips, or exclusion. Statements such as “Do you really want to eat that too?” or “You urgently need to lose weight” can be part of it, as can implying laziness or a lack of discipline on the basis of body weight.

Even supposedly caring or joking remarks can be hurtful and undermine self-esteem. Neither a person’s state of health nor their eating and exercise habits can be reliably inferred from body shape alone.

In the modeling business, respectful treatment of different body shapes is therefore particularly important. Factual discussions about measurements, fits, or specific job requirements should be conducted professionally and without personal disparagement. Body weight says nothing about a person’s talent, professionalism, or worth – every model deserves to be treated with respect.

As a model, you may face demeaning remarks about your weight or figure at castings, fittings or on set. You don't have to accept such remarks, so raise them with your agency, which should protect you and stand up for respectful treatment with clients. As an influencer, you often experience fat shaming in comments or messages, and you don't have to accept that either. Use the options to moderate, hide and report, and make sure your own content doesn't send demeaning messages about bodies, because your community takes its cues from you. If experiences like this weigh on you, get support from people you trust. You can also get free, confidential advice on the German helpline of the Federal Institute for Public Health at 0221 892031, available Monday to Thursday from 10 am to 10 pm and Friday to Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm.