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Meet The Pol Who Wants To Ban 'Fat Talk'

by Nathalie O'Neill

U.K. Liberal Democrat Minister for Equalities Jo Swinson wants to ban "fat talk," claiming (rightly) that terms like "muffin top" and "love handles" hurt women's self-esteem.

“It is commonplace to hear women and even young girls insulting their own bodies," said Swinson. "Muffin tops, thunder thighs, cankles (fat ankles) – fat talk and body shaming too easily become a habit and an expectation.”

Campaigns against fat talk seem to be all the rage these days. Special K just released a new ad calling for an end to the derogatory language, and our own Bustle team hashed out the details of fat talk.

"Muffin tops, thunder thighs, cankles (fat ankles) – fat talk and body shaming too easily become a habit and an expectation.”

Celebrities are also dabbling in the body positivity talk. Jennifer Lawrence said fat talk should be "illegal to use" on TV and Tyra Banks said she uses the term "fiercely real" instead of "plus size."

A government source said: "Fatshaming, trying to motivate weight loss through self-disgust, is unlikely to produce sustained benefit." Swinson might channel this approach by helping to push for health campaigns that embrace body positivity.

"The images we see in the world of fashion are all pretty much the same – it's as if there's only one way of being beautiful."

The minister also wants to get some plus-size mannequins in shop windows. "Many customers want to see more realistic images in magazines, TV, and on the high street, and having mannequins that reflect and celebrate our diverse society is one way of helping to achieve this," said Swinson.

"The images we see in the world of fashion are all pretty much the same — it's as if there's only one way of being beautiful," she said. "Yet nine in ten people say they would like to see a broader range of body shapes shown in advertising and the media." Amen.