FAT used to be a feminist issue, but these days it's everyone's problem.

Last week rock band The Magic Numbers stormed off stage during a recording of Top of the Pops when presenter Richard Bacon apparently made a dig at their weight by referring to them as "a big fat melting pot''.

The band members - who are admittedly larger than many of their more air-brushed contemporaries - were then criticised for being thin-skinned.

While figures show that Britons are getting heavier - 65 per cent of men and 55 per cent of women are considered overweight or obese - somehow it's still considered okay to make snide remarks about someone's weight.

Celebrities are particularly at risk, with tabloids and glossy mags ready to pounce on evidence of an extra ounce.

Reality TV star Abi Titmuss was savaged when she gained weight during a six-week stint on Celebrity Love Island earlier this year.

"When I saw that the papers had called me Flabby Titmuss, my self-esteem hit rock bottom," she said.

"Yes, I've put on a few pounds, but I'm not fat."

Even sports stars aren't immune - Australian cricket player Shane Warne is regularly referred to as "a fat slob", despite being an impressive sportsman.

Lisa Hopton, who runs classes for Slimming World in Broadstone and Corfe Mullen, says many of her members have experienced cruel remarks because of their size.

"People will always make comments and it's very hurtful.

"People often assume that if you're large you're stuffing yourself with junk food all the time, but I eat an awful lot of food and I'm not fat. We're a judgmental society."

She says people even treat you differently according to what size you are.

"I lost about five-and-a-half stone myself and people treat you very differently when you're slim to when you're big.

"For instance a man will open the door for you when you're slim but when you're big he won't."

Lynne Vaughan, who lives in Upton, joined Slimming World after a male colleague called her 'fat' at last year's office Christmas party.

"I went away really upset. I joined Slimming World and I've lost three-and-a-half stone already but my goal is to lose another three by Christmas so I can go up to him in that slinky little number and say 'look at me'.

"It does hurt and it's not very nice."

It's against the law to discriminate against someone because of their race, religion or age, but size seems to be the last bastion of prejudice.

Psychologist Dr Elizabeth Mapstone says human nature is to blame.

"It's human nature to draw attention to aspects of somebody else that make you feel better about yourself."

She says making unpleasant remarks about someone else's weight is a subtle form of aggression.

But Mapstone says the media must also take some of the blame for making 'size-ism' socially acceptable.

"The media has so much power now that it's considered quite acceptable to be as offensive as you like."

Fat people are obvious targets for criticism, according to Dominic Abrams, professor of social psychology at the University of Kent.

"With any physical thing that makes people look unusual, we seek an explanation for why.

"The obvious explanation we come to about the overweight is that they over-eat, they're self-indulgent - all these kinds of stereotypes."

Fat is the new black

Vicki Swinden, who at 24 stone describes herself as "obese and not in the least bit miserable", is so fed up with fattist stereotypes that she's created a website, www.fatisthenewblac

k.com, to encourage the overweight to fight back.

The key message is that self-acceptance is the best way to tackle obesity and challenge narrow views.

"I have no problem with the word fat, or the word obesity.

"What I have a problem with is the attitude that because I am both these things I can't do anything else,'' she says.

Swinden says she is not trying to encourage people to be overweight, but adds: "If people believe they are accepted, they stop worrying about themselves so much.

"They lose weight and their health improves."

Despite her feisty attitude, the mother-of-three says it still hurts to be singled out for her size.

"I've been spat at in the street and called a fat cow.''

Swinden says she wants the site to empower and educate visitors.

"I'm not saying, 'Leave us alone because we're fat', but there's fat-ism in the UK like there is racism."

For information about your nearest Slimming World class call Lisa Hopton on 01258 858645.