The University of New Mexico is making waves with its latest initiative: a “fat studies” program aimed at normalizing obesity and combating anti-fat bias.

Campus Reform broke the story on the university’s new program, which seeks to challenge societal perceptions of fatness as inherently negative and problematic.

According to the course syllabus, students will delve into the structural forces that perpetuate stereotypes of fat individuals as lazy, gluttonous, and diseased, thus reinforcing anti-fat attitudes.

But it doesn’t stop there. Students will also learn practical skills, such as creating plus-sized outfits, raising eyebrows with visions of 5-X t-shirts and dresses fashioned from king-sized bed sheets.

The curriculum delves into the intersectionality of anti-fat bias with other forms of oppression, including discussions on colonialism and capitalism. Even mundane tasks like fitting into a regular-sized airplane seat are framed as forms of oppression in this academic setting.

The syllabus encourages students to reflect on their own experiences and privileges, urging them to consider the accessibility of spaces for larger individuals and those with reduced mobility.

Additionally, professors will educate students on the fat liberationist movement, which likely views diet programs like Jenny Craig as adversaries.

While the university frames this as a step towards fat liberation, critics argue that promoting obesity as acceptable may lead to serious health consequences, including an increase in heart disease, diabetes, and other obesity-related ailments.

In the quest for “fat liberation,” perhaps the first step should be putting down the Ho-Hos and tightening the belt on unhealthy habits.