Author: Julian Tang
Why is the world suddenly lavishing love on larger ladies given that they have received so much flak for so long?
Are heavy models really better examples for young girls than super-skinny models? In what is hailed as a breakthrough for "normal" females, big women are the latest fashion craze. Indeed, fashion shows around the world have slotted in size 14-18 models to walk the runway. There is no doubt it is a big step forward to sending out the message of loving one’s body, but is it really a breakthrough for good health?
While these women might make many feel better about the own bulges and extra flab, the truth is, few women over a size 14 are in a healthy weight range. Many actually need encouragement to lose weight instead of being told to feel good about being overweight. Seeing bigger models might promote healthier self-esteem, but it might not encourage many to get off the couch and lead healthier lives.
Don't get me wrong, I don't think all models should look like stick insects crawling down the runway, but there is a limit to everything. Some of the women being embraced as positive role models and ambassadors for larger people are obese and should lose weight for health reasons. With the emergence of TV shows with a “newly-tuned mindset”, like Drop Dead Diva, which follows the life of a larger lawyer who is a skinny model reincarnated, more and more retailers are jumping on the bandwagon by offering larger sizes.
In Canada, there was even a plus-size model search to create a nation-wide 'buzz' that focuses on women size 14+, to help get the message across that “plus” could be beautiful. The competition concluded in March this year with the winner walking away with a modelling contract and thousands of dollars worth of shopping vouchers. Sure, such moves reflect the reality of a rapidly growing population of larger body sizes, but they also serve to normalize a size that is not healthy for most young people. In recent weeks, the debate has been spurred on further by the larger thighs and flabby tummy of 20-year-old model Lizzie Miller in Glamour magazine. Readers in the millions embraced the image of the gorgeous, naked young woman letting it all hang out for the cameras. But at 5’9 and 167 pounds, she is hardly considered plus-sized, really. Like Miller, there are many people who are big-boned, or naturally curvy, and are perfectly healthy and I for one am all for seeing them in the media. But there are just as many, if not more, larger people who are just plain obese and unhealthy, and who would be better off being encouraged to lose weight rather than always be told it is okay to be overweight.
Losing weight is hard work. It takes sacrifice and effort. As a person hitting the big 3-0 with a new gym membership (and rapidly decreasing metabolism rate), I know this first-hand. It is, of course, much easier to accept the pro-fat manifesto than hit the treadmill. But let's face it, as most of us are inherently lazy creatures, the last thing we need is encouragement from so-called role models to accept an unhealthy weight. At the end of the day, overweight people may be happier because of all the “love yourself” hype in the media, but they are also digging their graves with a fork, and we are all paying for it.
© Copyright, peoplemenders.com Inc., 2009. All Rights Reserved.
About the Author
Julian holds a Degree in Pathology and is currently undertaking his postdoctoral studies in the field of Protein X-ray Crystallography and Structural Biology. He has written and published book chapters on bacterial pore-forming toxins. When he is not a careless scientist with an oversized labcoat by day, Julian has a particular interest in prevalent consumer trends and country pulses and writes freelance for a market intelligence company. He cites Salinger and Hemingway as his greatest influence and cooking and traveling as his greatest joy.
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All blog comments are strictly opinions of the writers and do not reflect the views of peoplemenders.com.
FOXIELADY
I speak from experience, during my youth, in voicing that there is very little "self-esteem" when you are overweight. I do not understand the comment above. Being overweight is an extreme health concern. As a youth you are seeking acceptance, and are often violated by cruel words, and no matter what image you see in the mirror, the words from others are so very hurtful that "self-esteem", at the time seems unobtainable.
Posted by FOXIELADY |
Jan 1-10 12:48 PM
lj
Julian mentions higher self esteem twice in his article. Does it not make sense that if one has a sense of self worth she would be more motivated to think about other health concerns other than weight? Poor body image is the bane of many women, better self esteem helps to combat the negative image in the mirror.
Posted by lj |
Dec 4-09 7:11 AM
corrineweir
Great article. For those people who are obese by simply overeating, it is not a good example for the youth to watch this and have it glorified. Look forward to more of your articles.
Posted by corrineweir |
Nov 3-09 6:29 AM
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