Do you think obesity is glamorized in America?

[curiouskitten67]

According to most medical professionals, the vast majority of Americans are in denial about their weight. Obesity rates increase with every year. 2/3 of Americans are overweight. Now being a healthy weight is seen as "skinny" and being slightly overweight is seen as normal. Less than 1% of people are underweight. I watch Women complain about underweight women being glamorized but when only less than 1% of people in America are underweight, is it even an issue?

I understand having muscle but usually that shows up when your body fat is measured. Also muscle makes you look leaner and weigh more, not flabbier and weigh more.

I am 5ft8 and 134lbs. I have been told I am too skinny which baffles my mind because I am 20% body fat and definitely in a healthy weight range. I should be between 128 and 164lbs.

I don't know, it just seems like people are getting bigger and bigger with every passing year. I wouldn't care but it effects me because I get tired of being told I am too thin. I am not even skinny, I am a normal weight. I also get a little annoyed when people ask me to donate to diabetes. I kind of feel like if you choose to live a unhealthy life why should I waste my money on you. I thought being big was glamorous. Most cases of diabetes are weight related.

I would care but I just get tired of being told I need "curves" aka more fat. I am actually curvy 35, 23, 36. I have a big round butt and nice sized boobs. I just don't have all the extra fat.

It's not just women, men have high obesity rates too. I recall a friend complaining he failed weigh ins (military) . his body fat was measured using a Bodpod, the most accurate way. He was still in denial. Note this guy was very soft. I just didn't get why he refused to acknowledge he was overweight. He sweared to everyone it was muscle. Believe me He was in no way hard (muscular) anywhere on his body.

does anyone else feel the same?

Yes

No

Updates

+1 y

I get it. It is hard to keep fit in America where everything is supersized. I mean a meal from McDonald's is on average 1500 calories (most of your daily calories, most women only need about 2000). Everything is wrapped in bacon and with excessive calories. I get it! I just don't get being in denial.

[AdamThomas]

Glamorised isn't the right word I don't think, but it's definitely encouraged a lot more. In response to eating disorders and anorexia they've gone completely the other way and now encourage people to be happy with being fat. I could understand if more people were underweight but as you say the large majority are overweight, and that's doing more damage.

My girlfriend said she wanted to lose some weight (about 14lbs) but she didn't know much about diet so I gave her advice, we went shopping with her fat friend. She bought vegetables for a salad, and when she went to grab stuff like biscuits and pizza I told her not to. Her friend acted as if what I was doing was abusive and that I should just watch her eat crap despite her wanting to lose weight and become healthier.

And that's how it is nowadays. Encouraging people to become more healthy is wrong somehow, it makes you an asshole.

I see guys now doing the same thing. It used to be mostly women complaining about "unrealistic standards" in the media, now "men" are doing the same thing. I saw a fat guy on here the other day write a take that he wanted to see more average men (out of shape men) in the media basically because a lot of men don't want to go to the gym, instead they want to sit and watch TV. Expecting men to be active, to stay healthy and not be lazy is wrong?

It seems like in today's society we celebrate weakness and demonise strength.

[meatballs21]

A Big Mac Meal is about 900 calories (more if you get a big drink). Nobody is forcing you to supersize it, and nobody is forcing you to order that or to even eat there.

This is the crux of it: eating crap and becoming obese is, for the majority of people, a choice. There are societal issues at play here (the obsession with the bad food, the sedentary workplaces and lifestyle, over reliance on the car, obsession with sedentary hobbies) but again, these are all things you can do something about, if you choose to.

[nalaa]

I don't live in america but I'm gonna go with no. However I do think people are being mislead about what cause obesity and bad health

"Now being a healthy weight is seen as "skinny" and being slightly overweight is seen as normal" Actually I don't think that's true. Look at this plus size model that is in a healthy weight range
healthyceleb.com/.../...n-Lawley-swimwear-line.jpg
And then look at this regular model who is significantly underweight
latimesblogs.latimes.com/.../6a00d8341c630a53ef014e872c4e15970d-pi

And I'm willing to be most people would think the underweight is normal while the overweight needs work.
And I'm sure most people would say the underweight is more attractive than the healthy range.

And in fairness being underweight kills you a lot faster than being overweight.

People are not getting bigger because it's glorified, people are getting bigger because they're eating all this processed junk that is designed to literally get them addicted.

And I don't think it's true for men either, with the exception of the temporary dad bod fad. Well I suppose it's a bit more true for men

[Bandit74]

I think people like the faces of VS models significantly more than they like their bodies. I also think the fact they have those faces causes people to like their bodies more than they would if a more plain/average looking face was attached to it.

"And I'm sure most people would say the underweight is more attractive than the healthy range."

Hmm, maybe. But I think if you blurred out their faces and listed their heights (5'10-5'11) that the bigger girl would put up a decent fight.

However, something in the middle would probably have the most mass appeal.

[curiouskitten67]

I am talking about in real life. Models aren't a representation of the population. Only less than 1% of the population is underweight

[curiouskitten67]

I have yet to see a woman as thin as a VS model walking the streets. Usually most people are overweight

[curiouskitten67]

Where are These underweight VS model looking women, I have yet to see 1 in real life.

[nalaa]

@Bandit74 I don't think you have a point. I mean sure most VS models great faces. Though as for the picture I never though alessandra ambrosio for example had a great face
1.bp.blogspot.com/.../...ra-ambrosio-no-makeup.jpg

The other two girl I think do have good faces
3.bp.blogspot.com/.../2i72r1x.jpg
s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/.../...150f4febfb.jpg

But I also think pus size model robyn lawley has a very attractive face as well that would easily compete with the other two, yet I'm still sure most people would vote her less attractive
img5.bdbphotos.com/.../8pnkrm8j2uy8yu8.jpg

And I also think would judge her face to be more attractive if she was underweight

[nalaa]

@ Asker "I have yet to see a woman as thin as a VS model walking the streets" that's not what you were asking though, was it? You already said more people are overweight than underweight. You asked if obesity is glorified and it's not. Being underweight is glorified.

And most girls might not be as thin as VS model, but I'm sure most strive to be, even if they're at a good weight, such as Robyn Lawly

[Bandit74]

Yeah, I never really liked Allesandra..

Your link for the plus sized model didn't work but I googled her and she does have a better face than most plus sized models. Im also surprised to find out she's 6'2 😮

If I was to post a "which body is most attractive question with their faces blurred out, what do you think would be the best way to do it...
Like just 2 options with A being Robyn and B being Candice?

[nalaa]

@Bandit74 is that a hypothetical question or are you thinking of doing that?

As for what pictures? Well no I'd def post an overweight model additionally to the underweight and healthy categories, just to be fair

Normally I'd say pic non photoshopped image, but in this case I'd say go for photoshopped, because the media lies to us a lot about how attractive skinny actually is. Being underweight comes with signs we don't find attractive so they just make it go away

Such has the ribs on this model
i.kinja-img.com/.../180fnz7s3mb63jpg.jpg
or the six pack and small boobs on candice swanepol

www.pinklipstv.com/.../...ictoria-secret-shoot.jpg
www4.pictures.zimbio.com/.../...h+aHgri3otA60x.jpg

[nalaa]

And those are the models people idolize, right? So it makes sense to ask about their photoshopped version, which inlcudes people's unrealistic ideas of what is attractive

Using non photoshopped image is def also interesting but it'd be a different question all together. So I guess depends on you what you would want.

Maybe I'd add a 4th option. For a girl that is at the upper end of healthy, such as ashley graham
i.dailymail.co.uk/.../...300000578-601_636x358.jpg

[Azara]

on gag of you display numbers guys say they are not attracted to sub normal weight. but with pictures without numbers guys go for the pictures who are 20 pounds below ideal weight. I don't know ion they are playing to a crowd with the numbers, or they just have a distorted view of what 5 foot 5 and 95 pounds means. aka most young women in spot light.

by the way, the plus size model, she must be at least on the far end of 'normal'. it also matters about her frame. she could be on the heavy side for her height with small bones, that makes her 20 pounds heavier at the same weight than a woman that height with large bones. thats partly why vmi doesn't work.

she looks pretty squishy to be an ideal weight. but she's not obese. I suppose.

[Azara]

why would they photoshop out abs.. thats a sign of health. i think she was just heavier in the picture.

[Azara]

she's out of shape and overweight... not upper end of healthy. women in modeling whether plus for minus site, display as if they are not supposed to have muck or be in shape. its an unhealthy message. being chunky doesn't make her healthy she should be in good condition. sign of virility and health.

[nalaa]

@Azara well what is and what isn't healthy depends on how you want to define it and the only objective measure available to us is BMI and according to BMI the regular models are quite significantly underweight some as low as, Robyn Lawly is around 21 or 22. So quite in the middle and ashley graham, if I recall correctly is at the upper end at around 24.

Abs are actually not always attractive in wome I suppose. A lot of men like some softness. But they also like delicate figures and you can't have both so that's where photoshop comes in. I it's not even abs really, she really scrawny. Her ribs are quite visible as well, as are other bones and the abs not really defined, they're just visible because of a lack of fat and those are all things photoshopped away, which makes her appear healthier overall

[nalaa]

I agree most men have no idea what a weight means on a woman. So they just say stuff they don't even mean, but most girls take it as face value.
But still, as I said, I bet most guys find the underweight VS models more attractive than the normal weight robyn lawley. And I do think she has a good and normal weight

lzimages.lazygirls.info/...m_august_5VqDuSG0.sized
i.kinja-img.com/.../181qzkrbbz7pzjpg.jpg

I'm not saying guys don't find her attractive, I'm saying most guys will think she's chubby or overweight and would be more attractive if she lost a few pounds. But she's not overweight.

[curiouskitten67]

She is not a 24 bmi. She is my height And 200lbs. That's more like a BMI of 29. 1 percent from obese.

[nalaa]

Robyn Lawly is 6'2 and 164 lbs, which equates to a BMI of 20.9

Ashley graham is 5'9 and weight 165lbs, which equates to a BMI of 24.4

[Anonymous]

Yes it is and the thing is, it's considered body shaming if people bring it up. I know there are people out there who do shame people for their weight, and they shouldn't do it. However, the reality is, people are getting bigger and bigger. I actually go through the same thing you're going through. I am 5'4 and 120 pounds and I get called too skinny when I am in no way too skinny. I am average for my height. I'm also muscular because I work out every day. I get people telling me to eat a sandwich all the time, and it's annoying.

With people getting bigger, average weight starts to look too thin. As long as a person is healthy, people should leave them alone. Skinny doesn't equal being healthy either but being obese definitely isn't either. I know there are people out there with health issues that make them gain weight, but that's not every obese person. If people just watched what they ate, and exercised it wouldn't be a big deal. You don't even have to go to the gym. Weight loss is usually more your diet than exercise anyway.

[Azara]

100,000s of people die every year from obesity related illness. not so for underweight. people get hysterical if a person is 20 pounds underweight even if they are otherwise healthy. but when people are 20 pounds overweight they are just 'chubby;. no one gets sucked into medication bc they are chubby.

I dont think fat is sold as attractive but its treated as if its an inevitable fierce that we might as well accept and try to make becoming... possibly conspiracy with mcdonalds and weight watchers ;)

[BertMacklinFBI]

fuck no obesity is not being glamorized. its not a good look, even obese people know that.

who cares what other people think. its your body, keep it as you will, do with it as you will.

there's really not much to say, from me anyways.

[BellePepper]

Maybe instead of getting upset and perpetuating body shaming you could think for a bit on how you dislike people shaming you so maybe you shouldn't do that to them.

[curiouskitten67]

There is a difference between body shaming and being aware of your health status. Stating a fact is not body shaming. My frustration and confusion comes from people being in denial.

[BellePepper]

Are you their doctor?

[curiouskitten67]

Nope. I am glad I am not. It would be frustrating arguing with a 210lb person trying to tell them they need to lose a little weight for their health. And that's why I refuse to donate a dime to American diabetes association. It's annoying hearing all this "curves" mess and then these same people are asking for donations for their illnesses brought on by their fascination with being thick.

[BellePepper]

So you're not their doctor so you don't know if they're healthy or not. You don't like people assuming you're unhealthy based only on the way you look so why do you think it's okay to assume other people are unhealthy based only on the way they look?

The American Diabetes Association also contributes not only to helping people with type 2 diabetes but also to researching Type 1 Diabetes. So if your complaint with obesity is that it's "unhealthy" why wouldn't you want to contribute to an organization that helps people get healthy?

[curiouskitten67]

Because it's preventable. You choose a lifestyle that leads to diabetes. Again most cases are weight related

[BellePepper]

You understand that Type 1 diabetes is not preventable correct?

[WhaChaChaKing]

I feel the same. I don't mind people treating overweight people like everyone else but we are flat out glorifying it. How about we stop glorifying unhealthy shit, like underweight or overweight, and start appreciating people that are in good shape? I just find this all ridiculous.

[Waffles731]

No, you do realize that a whole lot of those models are literally on drugs like ritalin because it decreases appetite.
I had to take ritalin and I got so underweight that it was seriously considered to have me hospitalized and force-fed

[curiouskitten67]

No one looks like the models. Only less than 1% are underweight in America.

[Waffles731]

But when people talk about those who are glamourized you think models and most models are dangerously underweight

[YoloKitten]

Yeah I'm a healthy weight anf people tell me I'm too skinny. I'm a healthy weight, but I used to have anorexic behaviors in the past so I used to weigh less than what I am now. I'm Definitely a healthy wieght currently though

[SakuraChii]

I don't understand how 500 or 600 pounds is glammorized, no one wants to be in that state. Overweight on the other hand may be different.

[Humping_Tornadoes]

Yes. Obesity ia being taken for granted. But what are you going to do when junk food companies just want to sell big time. They're targetting at people's weaknesses, which is food and laziness.

[LittleSally]

Not really...
O. o
If you mean in the media - not really there either... o. O

So... no.

[rjroy3]

Only in the PC crowd.
Go anywhere in person and no one gives a shit lol.

[ConsultantIsBack]

Fat acceptance is decaying the importance and emphasis of personal health, ya

[genericname85]

lol 20% body fat is "normal" not skinny at all. i don´t think it´s glamorized. it´s still looked down upon but it´s just more usual in amerika.

[Anonymous]

It's not glamorized but it's becoming normalized. Like people don't even seem to think of it as unhealthy anymore.