Student Project Spreads Body Positivity Awareness

The participants wrote positive and negative affirmations they have heard about weight stigma on the chalkboard. Source: Kirsten Mattern ‘24

Kayla Maguire ‘22 and Kirsten Mattern ‘24 transformed an interest in promoting body positivity into a community project that encouraged Marist College students to discuss weight stigma. As members of Marist’s Honors Program, they enrolled in an honors seminar about stigma and health disparities. For the civic aspect of the course, they hosted a discussion on May 5 to foster open dialogue and expression through chalk art.

In the seminar, titled “Stigma and Health Disparities” taught by psychology professor Dr. Emma Fredrick, the class discusses stigmas such as racial identity, sexuality, and womanhood. Intergroup dialogue shapes the discussions, as students are encouraged to express their opinions to understand one another’s perspectives.

“We talk about how people refrain from stating their opinions because they are afraid of being politically incorrect, or that they are going to be wrong or they are going to offend someone,” Mattern said. “But we need to have that discussion in order to jump over those obstacles, so we can address what is wrong and what is not.” 

At the event, held in a Hancock Center classroom, Maguire and Mattern divided up a chalkboard. On the left, participants were invited to write or draw inspiring affirmations about body positivity. Everything from compliments to quotes were written, including one comment that said, “You have amazing freckles.” The right side of the chalkboard was left for participants to convey difficult experiences or societal expectations that have contributed to the integration of weight stigma into society. One comment said, “I wish I would eat as little as you.”

Attendees at the body positivity event watch an informative video about weight stigma. Source: Kirsten Mattern ‘24

Using chalk art was a reference to the @catcallsofnyc Instagram page. The page spreads awareness about street harassment and catcalling by asking women to direct message the page, writing about what happened to them and where. The founders of the Instagram page then go to the spot where catcall occurred and write in chalk what was said. This helps women know that they are not alone in being harassed because of their bodies. One of the milder quotes on the @catcallsofnyc Instagram stated, “You need to smile more.”

Once everyone at the Marist event felt they had expressed their feelings about body positivity through chalk art, Mattern and Maguire played a few videos so participants could further understand what weight stigma is from a research perspective. Then began an open discussion moderated by Celeste Gigliotti ‘21 from Red Fox Real Talk. 

“Weight stigma is something that we’ve so deeply internalized—not just as girls and not just as college students, but socially across the board,” Gigliotti said. “I think college is a breeding ground for unhealthy approaches for weight and for body image.” Events like this one are important because so many college students struggle with internalized body dysmorphia, but everyone thinks they’re battling it alone. Gigliotti noted that this event reminded students of the detrimental effects that weight stigma can have on mental health, not only at Marist, but for society as a whole.

Body positivity discussions have become less common, as the reality of weight stigma has become ingrained in societal values. Through their project, Mattern and Maguire hope Marist students realize that they are not alone in their struggles with body positivity, and that weight stigma is a societal problem. 

“I’m really involved in LGBTQ student advocacy. I’ve seen a lot of improvements during my time on campus. I’ve seen improvements with racial justice on campus, or at least attempted improvements, and so many talks around that stigma,” Maguire said. “This is something that is so prevalent, but never discussed.”