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Skinny Obsession or Fat Acceptance?

Piggybacking on my colleague Tonya's blog on the Jennifer Love Hewitt pictures, I agree too much emphasis is placed on young girls these days based on appearances in Hollywood.
However, with that said, I did cock my head this morning in question as I watched the Today show discussion on the topic. Natalie Morales was talking to Jessica Weiner, author of “Do I look fat in this?”. The discussion centered around women accepting their bodies and appearances and not allowing Hollywood to dictate how their size makes them feel. The topic is one I first must say I completely agree with and one, which is crucial for young women to grab a hold of early. But I was a little surprised to see a large woman; I would say obese, telling women to love their bodies.
The obesity rate in the US is astonishing and we all know the health problems associated with obesity. So is it okay to love your body if you’re obese? Or instead of loving your body people should be taught to love their LIVES, and take responsibility to make them healthier?
Which is more important; living with an unhealthy goal of perfection or loving an obese body with potential health concerns.
Both are big problems, the question is which problem is bigger?

Posted on December 5, 2007 6:55 PM | Permalink

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Comments (3)

Ruthie:

The woman was not obese. She said she is and always has been a size 12-14. She is very tall as well. She claims she eats right and is physically active. I'm appalled that you would label her an obese woman. That in an of itself is part of the problem.

Ruthie..
Actually author Jessica Weiner has long talked about her struggles with eating disorders and obesity. Obesity can be as little as 20 pounds overweight depending on a person's BMI. If a person's BMI is 30.0-39.9, they are considered obese. She may very well be physically active but all of her books have focused on how unhealthy she has eaten most of her life.
Even if I don't necessarily agree with a portion of her message, she is actually a fantastic motivational speaker and has great experiences to share. If you'd like more information on her. Here's here website.

http://www.jessicaweiner.com

Amy

Posted by Ruthie | January 9, 2008 9:33 AM

Posted on January 9, 2008 09:33

Paul:

I see the larger of the two problems being, loving an obese body with potential health concerns.

If a woman allows herself to settle and say I can't change, how does this influence others in her life?

The issue itself isn't about her, it's about the stress it causes within the workplace (higher premiums), at home (allowing unhealthy food and leading by example if kids are present) and within relationships (does the man in her life see less positive coming from her) by settling knowing she can change but doesn't?

Society should stop worrying about what is happening out on both coasts and start applying on how they, as individuals can improve themselves by firstly being true to who they are, then seeking out those who can move them forward instead of backwards.

For me, it comes down to one thing; Positive attitude

Posted by Paul | January 4, 2008 7:50 AM

Posted on January 4, 2008 07:50

Hitman:

Well, with my observation of obese people, either on television or in real life, when they say they love their bodies, THEY'RE LYING!!!!! That's the PERFECT excuse for them not to do something to lose that weight. "Fat Advocate" Monique always tell obese women to love their biggness, but she lost weight! If it's killing you, don't fool yourself! Lose It! Most give up so fast that they accept ridicule and even get to the point of giving up on life. You'll know when they start saying things like, "we all have to die from something,right"? Recognizing that you have a problem is half the battle, doing something about it is the other half. However, if one is in denial, they not only lost the battle, they lost the war!!!

Posted by Hitman | December 22, 2007 7:53 AM

Posted on December 22, 2007 07:53

Skinny Obsession or Fat Acceptance?

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