Facebook removes ‘feeling fat’ emoticon after protest

No more "feeling fat" on Facebook.

The social network this week removed "Feeling Fat" from its list of emoji in the wake of an online petition against the emoticon.

"We’ve heard from our community that listing 'feeling fat' as an option for status updates could reinforce negative body image, particularly for people struggling with eating disorders. So we’re going to remove 'feeling fat' from the list of options," it said.

"We’ll continue to listen to feedback as we think about ways to help people express themselves on Facebook," it added.

Catherine Weingarten, who started the petition with global movement Endangered Bodies last March 10, said more than 16,000 people signed the Change.org campaign.

She said the petition got a response from Facebook. "In other words, we won!" she said.

"I'm thrilled that FB decided to remove the ‘feeling fat’ emoji. This success shows us that people together can challenge the cultural messages that are so damaging to our ability to love ourselves and live comfortably in our bodies. As someone who struggled with body image, I feel so happy that I’ve helped eliminate one form of body shaming hatred on the internet," she added.

For its part, Endangered Bodies welcomed Facebook's response with the removal of the "I feel fat" emoticon.

"We extend special thanks to the thousands of people around the world who have signed our petition, showing that each and every one of your voices can be heard and has made a positive difference. We look forward to continuing a dialogue with Facebook to support their efforts in being a body-positive platform, leading the way for other social media sites to follow suit," it said.

Earlier, Weingarten and Endangered Bodies said she chanced on a friend’s status set to “feeling fat,” accompanied by an emoji with chubby cheeks and a double chin.

She said that while the emoji was supposed to be funny, "seeing this status made me feel angry."

"As someone who has struggled with and overcome disordered eating, I know what it’s like to 'feel' fat. I have spent years of my life consumed with negative thoughts about my body, and far too many days starving myself in an effort to lose weight. But even worse than the skipped meals and the hours spent obsessing in front of the mirror was the fear of what others thought about me and my body," she said.

Thus, she said users who set statuses to “feeling fat” are in effect "making fun of people who consider themselves to be overweight, which can include many people with eating disorders."

"Fat is not a feeling. Fat is a natural part of our bodies, no matter their weight. And all bodies deserve to be respected and cared for," she said.

Feeling stuffed, feeling ugly

But a separate article on The Verge said that while "feeling fat" has been banished, there is still a similar "rosy-cheeked, bloated" emoticon as the "feeling stuffed" status.

Also, it noted there is still an emoticon called "feeling ugly." — Joel Locsin/LBG, GMA News