At the Intersection of Public Health and Fat Studies: Critical Perspectives on the Measurement of Body Size

Public health and fat studies intersect around documenting varied body sizes, and both disciplines claim that body size is relevant to their research. However, current body size measures are problematic, and nonstigmatizing measures of body size are needed. In particular, means of documenting lived body size that are decoupled from health are desirable for both disciplines. This commentary aims to begin conversations about social justice–oriented means of documenting body diversity, to critically discuss how these measures are used, and potential next steps for body size measurement.