Cat Pause, an academic whose research explored the impacts of “fat stigma”, has died.
A fat studies researcher, Pause's work focused on the wellbeing of overweight people and “the effects of spoiled identities” on their health.
Labour MP Deborah Russell shared news of Pause’s death on Saturday via her Twitter account.
“I know very few details except that our darling friend died in her sleep last night. I am so very sad, and I know that many in academic and union circles will be shocked and saddened too,” Russell wrote.
Pause spoke to Stuff in January about the discrimination fat people face in their everyday lives, especially in regard to healthcare. Moral panic over obesity levels perpetuate this.
“Everyone has anti-fat attitudes. We find them in kids as young as three. We’re not born hating fat people, we’re not born finding fat people disgusting, or that fat people are lazy or lacking discipline or willpower,” Pause said.
“We learned these attitudes, we can absolutely unlearn them.”
