Isn't it dangerous that fat Americans view obesity as empowering?

[TruePaige]

bullshit

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/realitycheck/blog/more-to-love.jpg
http://www.limcollege.edu/images/realwomen.jpg

There are plenty of shows that celebrate obesity. The obesity rates in the US should show that this country is not an enemy of obesity.

So many women excuse their fat figure by saying that they are "real women". "Real women have curves". No, a real woman does not mean a unhealthily obese woman.

Even men excuse this behavior, saying that true women are chubby, and shrugging off skinnier, attractive women as "unappealing" simply because they are (most likely) unobtainable. Then they tell their overweight SOs "Oh no, she's way to skinny. It's gross."

As if he really prefers a 250 pound heifer.

None of those women were obese.

 

[Colt45]

None of those women were obese.

>200lbs and <6' sure as hell is obese.

 

[InflatableBuddha]

This point is always over exaggerated. Sure, pretty much every publication does touch ups, but rarely is the figure modified so much that it becomes a ridiculous example. Such an image would be cause a disconnect between the material and the reader.

I don't have a link for this at the moment, but I do recall reading that such touching up has been gradually increasing over time, so the changes year over year are imperceptible to most readers. However, I'm sure if you compare earlier photoshopped pics to current ones, there would be a startling difference.

Plus, where models truly thrive, the fashion world of runways and galleries, there is no photoshop.

Of course not, but you can't deny there's a problem in the industry. Models have died as a result of fashion designers' criteria (e.g. only allowing size 0). Some countries (e.g. Spain) have even banned underweight models http://eatingdisorders.suite101.com/article.cfm/anorexic_models

There is no anorexic epidemic in this country, but there is an obesity epidemic. Compare the obesity and anorexia related death rates and get back to me.

I didn't say there was an epidemic. I merely mentioned anorexic models to demonstrate a shift from one unhealthy extreme to the other.

What kind of children are we raising that the lack basic functions of common sense? I, as a child, was not incapable of separating fantasy and reality.

Body image is a complex issue, and thus children need help trying to understand the causes and effects. They can't necessarily tell that a skinny model on TV is unhealthy, or why. In fact they're so glamorized that children (especially young girls) can internalize that as the happy ideal.

Also, it's not "fantasy vs. reality" except for magazine pics. As you stated, skinny models do exist on tv.

Anyways, this comes down to good parenting, right? So I agree with you that there is a lack of good parenting today.

The body is the essence of true health, and is greatly underemphasized in today's world, when one is expected to sacrifice bodily health for financial, educational, or other measures of success.

It's actually overemphasized. Athletes, models, movie stars and porn stars use their physical capital to gain incredible financial capital. In contrast, people with high intellectual or creative capital are not rewarded to nearly the same degree.

As proof, look at the total income (salary and endorsements) of an NBA superstar vs. a Nobel Prize winning scientist (salary and awards). Not even close.

I agree, models should not be idolized. I can't see how anyone would want to be, or date, a model. But what I don't agree with is the angry perception the public holds the fashion world, or the world of all non-overweight people.. People are always upset at models for causing self-esteem issues, yet no one is mad at obese celebrities for putting a much less healthy image into the world.

The general public (especially the obese/overweight) is angry with the fashion industry for portraying a reality that is impossible to attain, and they use it as a scapegoat for their own condition (despite obesity being preventable in the vast majority of people).

Perhaps not as many people are angry at obese celebrites, but I sure as hell am. We're too politically correct to point out the health problems of obesity when we're dealing with celebrities, because our society is apologetic to celebrity, to a fault.

I see something like Dove's "Real Beauty" campaign as a more balanced ideal which avoids both of these extremes, even if it is overly commercialized.

 

[ShawnD1]

None of those women were obese.

Obesity starts at a fairly low weight. For example, this man is obese:

article

Healthy weight is now commonly defined by the body mass index (BMI), a score based on weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. On this scale, George Clooney is obese and Brad Pitt overweight.

This man is obese

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/6040156.stm

 

[TruePaige]

>200lbs and <6' sure as hell is obese.

No way, this guy is 200lbs.

Does NOT look Obese.

 

[TruePaige]

Obesity starts at a fairly low weight. For example, this man is obese:

article




This man is obese

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/6040156.stm

Well I don't think those people should be told to feel bad about themselves for their weight so...I don't know what this thread is about any more.

 

[ShawnD1]

Well I don't think those people should be told to feel bad about themselves for their weight so...I don't know what this thread is about any more.

It's about disgustingly fat people thinking it's ok. Using the term "obese" really confuses things.

We should say what we mean. Instead of saying "she looks obese" let's use the phrase "she probably smells like she was at the gym even though she wasn't"

 

[Mr. Pedantic]

For population metrics the BMI is a relatively easy and reasonably accurate way of defining obesity and overweight(ness), simply because many (I'm too tentative to say most) people don't work out enough to have the muscle mass to significantly affect the BMI scale. Obviously, on an individual scale, especially for athletes and well-motivated people who go to the gym, BMI breaks down; but as a population-wide metric, I would hazard a guess and say it's reasonably accurate.

 

[IGBT]

similar psychosis occurs among dopers who rationalize recreational drugs. Once you get there, excuses to stay there become the norm.

 

[SunSamurai]

The media's full of the Oprahs of the world shouting "love the body that you have!"

Take time to think first. People like Oprah are popular because they went down in weight, making people fatties know its possible. The rest of us are telling them to put the fucking burger down.

 

[ConstipatedVigilante]

The media's full of the Oprahs of the world shouting "love the body that you have!"

That's because it pays extremely well from fat housewives to say that. Oprah's extremely good at marketing. And she smokes crack.

 

[SlitheryDee]

Every bit of it is a defense mechanism. If these people were truly satisfied with their appearance there would be no need to loudly point out how satisfied they are. They know that they aren't attractive, but they think they can at least avoid pity by putting on a show of confidence. Furthermore, they want to be told by other people that how they look is ok. Fortunately there are other people, who just so happen to sell stuff, who are more than willing to tell them that.

It's human nature to bluster and show a level of confidence that isn't warranted by the situation. In order to do that convincingly one might also tell themselves that they actually believe it, although they rarely do in truth. Overweight people try to sell their misshapen bodies as preferable to healthy bodies because, as much effort as that takes, they still deem it easier than losing weight.

 

[jhu]

Every bit of it is a defense mechanism. If these people were truly satisfied with their appearance there would be no need to loudly point out how satisfied they are. They know that they aren't attractive, but they think they can at least avoid pity by putting on a show of confidence. Furthermore, they want to be told by other people that how they look is ok. Fortunately there are other people, who just so happen to sell stuff, who are more than willing to tell them that.

It's human nature to bluster and show a level of confidence that isn't warranted by the situation. In order to do that convincingly one might also tell themselves that they actually believe it, although they rarely do in truth. Overweight people try to sell their misshapen bodies as preferable to healthy bodies because, as much effort as that takes, they still deem it easier than losing weight.

Or maybe all the skinnies are just jealous. Ever think of that???

 

[Mr. Pedantic]

Or maybe all the skinnies are just jealous. Ever think of that???

They're (or you're) not. Trust me. According to BMI I'm very slightly overweight, so you could say I'm kind of sitting on the fence a bit. And I would much rather be skinny than fat.

 

[Andrew1990]

It makes it easier for us skinny guys to get the heavier women if they feel bad bout themselves.

 

[sindows]

BMI can't be a good indicator, according to a calculator I found, at 6'1", I can be 140 pounds and be considered "normal" weight. I don't know anyone in the 6' range that weights less than 160 and 140 must be the point where ribs and bones are showing...

And it also doesn't seem to be linear at all...

 

[Squisher]

Obesity should not be seen as a disease, or a disablilty; instead it should be seen as failure. Failure to be a productive and worthy human. Failure to reach even the lowest levels of mediocrity

All fat people are unproductive and have no worth?

 

[gaidensensei]

BMI can't be a good indicator, according to a calculator I found, at 6'1", I can be 140 pounds and be considered "normal" weight. I don't know anyone in the 6' range that weights less than 160 and 140 must be the point where ribs and bones are showing...

And it also doesn't seem to be linear at all...

They need to look at BMI by ethnicity.. since every culture/race has different eating habits. I think there is something like this but I forgot how to check it.

 

[InflatableBuddha]

BMI can't be a good indicator, according to a calculator I found, at 6'1", I can be 140 pounds and be considered "normal" weight. I don't know anyone in the 6' range that weights less than 160 and 140 must be the point where ribs and bones are showing...

And it also doesn't seem to be linear at all...

What you described is a good weight range for a long distance runner of that height. Certainly thin, but not underweight.

But anyways, BMI is shit for athletes. Body fat % is the better indicator.

 

[yhelothar]

I agree with you, we should have realistic goals, but shouldn't the message be more complex then these catch phrases like "real women ?" I don't think America's #1 problem, health wise, is a rash of anorexic people.

HAH it's quite true both ways. Anorexia has a higher percentage of mortality than schizophrenia and depression.

 

[Dumac]

BMI can't be a good indicator, according to a calculator I found, at 6'1", I can be 140 pounds and be considered "normal" weight. I don't know anyone in the 6' range that weights less than 160 and 140 must be the point where ribs and bones are showing...

And it also doesn't seem to be linear at all...

That is the bare minimum for normal. I.E. hanging on the verge of underweight. It is not as if BMI is saying all 6'1" tall people should be 140 pounds.

 

[Dumac]

HAH it's quite true both ways. Anorexia has a higher percentage of mortality than schizophrenia and depression.

Why the hell would you compare anorexia to schizophrenia or depression?

Anyway, the percentage of mortality amongst those who suffer from anorexia may be higher than those who suffer from obesity, but since obesity is a much, much more widespread problem in the US, I don't see anorexia as a very large cause for concern.

 

[BarkingGhostar]

Being fat means you don't have the time and the will to take care of your body. Being fat is also a bodies self-defense mechanism telling you "hey fat ass, i'm getting so big because you eat too much and don't do enough"

BS. Nice blanket statement you got there.:thumbsdown::thumbsdown:

 

[Dumac]

BS. Nice blanket statement you got there.:thumbsdown::thumbsdown:

The majority of the time, it's true.

Of course there are always special exemption cases.

 

[theflyingpig]

All fat people are unproductive and have no worth?

Basically. This can be represented mathematically:

(1) Fatties + health problems caused by obesity + overall disgusting lifestyle = unproductive garbage.

See how that works out?
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