In a move that has raised eyebrows, the San Francisco Department of Public Health has reportedly hired a self-proclaimed "anti-weight-based discrimination" expert to consult on issues of "weight stigma and weight neutrality.
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This comes at a time when the city is grappling with a myriad of pressing issues, including rampant homelessness, crime, and a declining population. The new hire, Virgie Tovar, is an author and advocate of "fat positivity and body acceptance," a stance that has sparked a debate on the role of public health authorities in addressing obesity.
Tovar, known for her books "You Have the Right to Remain Fat" and "The Self-Love Revolution: Radical Body Positivity for Girls of Color," announced her new role on Instagram, expressing her pride and hope that "weight neutrality will be the future of public health." According to Fox News, Tovar's website describes her as a "plus-size Latina author, lecturer, and leading expert on weight-based discrimination and body positivity with over a decade of experience."
However, the specifics of Tovar's role within the department remain unclear. As reported by Fox News, the San Francisco Department of Public Health did not provide details about Tovar's consultancy when asked. This lack of transparency has led to speculation about the city's priorities, particularly given the pressing issues it currently faces.
Tovar's advocacy for body positivity extends beyond mere acceptance. In a video, she shared her personal experience with weight loss, stating, "I really believed that this was about my health. I really believed my doctor was right and so I was using the language of getting 'better' but I was actually deeply in the throes of anorexia." This statement raises questions about the balance between promoting body acceptance and addressing the health risks associated with obesity.
In addition to her personal experiences, Tovar has also conducted seminars for government employees on the "stigma around food and bodies at work." Her advice includes discouraging discussions about eating habits, body size, and exercise at work, arguing that these are not "safe or comfortable topics to discuss at work for everyone."
This approach, however, has been met with skepticism. Critics argue that it overlooks the undeniable link between food consumption, body size, and health. They contend that promoting a "sustenance-agnostic" attitude could potentially undermine efforts to address obesity, a significant public health issue.
John Loftus, editor at large for the Daily Caller, drew parallels between Tovar's appointment and Tom Wolfe's 1970 essay "Mau-Mauing the Flak Catchers." The essay describes how militant San Francisco residents manipulated liberal bureaucrats to divert funds to their preferred ethnic groups. Loftus imagines Tovar "thundering into the Department of Health Office, crashing down some doors, demanding they throw her some cash so she can make PowerPoints about fat-shaming."
While Loftus's depiction may be hyperbolic, it underscores the controversy surrounding Tovar's appointment. The debate is not about Tovar's qualifications or her advocacy for body positivity. Rather, it is about the role of public health authorities in addressing obesity and whether promoting "weight neutrality" is the best approach.
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