PETA Is Fat-Shaming Women Into Going Vegan

Last week, news broke that certain types of emergency contraception don’t prevent pregnancy in women who weigh more than 176 pounds. PETA’s response? Telling women to lose weight (by going vegan, of course).

"If extra pounds are thwarting a woman's ability to use Plan B, PETA's 'Plan V' could be the prescription they need," says PETA executive vice president Tracy Reiman. "Going vegan is a great way to lose weight and get healthy—and it could help women regain control over their reproductive lives."

While going vegan may help some people shed pounds and get healthy, PETA’s Plan V campaign isn’t exactly doing women any favors.

First, let’s get something straight: Not all women who weigh more than 176 pounds need to slim down. A 6-foot-tall woman who weighs 176 pounds is sitting pretty at a healthy body mass index (BMI)—and that’s before you even factor in the possibility of her having greater-than-average muscle mass (muscle weighs more than fat, which is one of the many reasons your BMI can sometimes be misleading).

What’s more, making anyone—whatever their weight—feel bad about their body isn’t just wrong, it’s ineffective. In fact, a recent study from the Florida State University College of Medicine found that overweight people who are fat-shamed are about 2.5 times more likely to become obese. So whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, or like your lean meats, shake off those haters. If you love your body and make healthy practices a habit, wellness should follow. 

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