Abstract

A content analysis was conducted to examine how fatness is represented in adolescent fiction through the explicit and implicit themes. Results of analysis indicate that (a) one issue in these novels is the debate about whether fatness is genetic or a choice. (b) The social and emotional development of fat characters is effected in three ways: their friends, their desire to fit in, and the kinds of ridicule they must endure. Friends of the fat characters are often social victims as well. In 15 of the 18 novels (78%) the fat character experiences humiliation as a result of their interactions at school or at school related-functions. (c) The fat character's identity is defined by their weight. In 14 of the 18 texts (78%) the fat character is referred to as "the fat kid", "the fat girl", or "the fat boy" rather than by their name. (d) The personality of the fat character is also grounded in their engagement in the seven deadly sins. Gluttony and sloth appeared most often in these texts. All nine female fat characters (100%) expressed envy. (e) Fatophobia is demonstrated in various ways throughout these 18 texts. Most significant from the results is that fat characters themselves demonstrate fatophobic behaviors. (f) Only two texts with the fat character on the cover present an accurate picture of the body descriptions from the text. Other texts presented distorted images of the fat character that establishes a mismatch between text and illustration. (g) No texts in this study met all the criteria to carry a positive message about large body types.