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Very Fit or Very Fat in Western Society?

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In 1600s, Rubens beauty was plump and provocative. In the 1700s, the wasp waist was (tucked) in. In the 1800s, Romanticism brought out the soft curves in a womans physique. In the 1900s, the hourglass corset with bustle was the mainstay of the female figure. In the 1920s, the flapper was born: waif-like and bobbed-haired. In the 1940s and 50s, the pinup was rosy-cheeked Monroes natural heavy curves. In the 60s, the shape went back to ultra-thin, pallid Twiggified notion of good looks. In the 1980s, women started exercising as well as dieting: almost every woman started working out to the words Lets get physical. At the same maybe coincidentally women of color started popping up on magazines and in movies with proud full figures and proud full lips.

Now, in the 2000s, two-thirds of American adults are overweight, doubled that of the 1980s (1). However, the fitness movement is growing by leaps and bounds as well: health club membership has doubled since 1987 and the spending of money on home exercise equipment has almost quintripled since 1990 (2). Plastic surgery has become a booming business as well: liposuction (tummy tucks) has increased thirty-four percent since 1998 and breast enlargement increased twenty-six percent in 1999 alone (3).

But is there an actual paradigm shift of the nature of the beast? Glamour and Vogue, to name two of the top magazines in the country, have started featuring large sized models. Mode and Radiance cater to large sized women. And just recently, in April 2004, Shape (a fitness magazine) did an article using one large sized model, not trying to lose weight but trying to simply be healthy instead. Clothes shopping for the larger populace has gotten much easier; instead of the typical muumuus, many brands of clothes have started expanding their size range. Clothing stores are opening up designed especially for the plus sized woman. Books and websites are now specifically designed for the person who has decided to give up dieting and focus on confidence and health instead.

Yes, this is marketing. After all, two-thirds of the country has been neglected. It's surprising that the demographics didnt show up sooner. But though the larger woman wants to look good, do people large or not so large think she looks good?

See for yourself. Websites nowadays are catering to single large people: BBPeopleMeet.com, LargeFriends.com, LargeandLovely.com, etc. Large women have their own lingerie websites. Fredricks of Hollywood and Victorias Secret now carry extra large, and even extra-extra large sizes. Somebody thinks shes attractive; the woman doesnt buy this for herself alone.

In the mainstream, models, actresses and pop-stars are now sporting more bountiful breasts and larger derrieres through a number of ways. Think of J. Lo. Think of Pamela Lee. Think of Drew Barrymore, Beyonce, Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, Catherine Zeta Jones and the list goes on. The folklore statistics state that the average cup ten years ago was a B. Now, the average cup is a C and most of the divas are sporting a D. Breast enhancement is no different, not surprisingly. In the 1980s, most women went for the conservative B. C was the next most popular choice. Nowadays, 80 to 85 percent choose C, with the D being the next most popular alternative (4).

Yet what about the well established diva, Queen Latifah (who actually had her breasts reduced because they were hurting her back)? Suffice to say that shes not a little girl yet she draws attention for more than her singing and her acting. Anna Nicole Smith (shes still a big girl even after she lost the weight)? Good and wholesome Oprah? Renee Zellweger (when she was voluptuous rather than her normal skinny self)? Missy Elliot (before she lost the weight and started teasing other large women in the Pass That Dutch video)?

Again, is it coincidental that plus sized women of color are more accepted then white women, both in diva status and the everyday woman? Maybe in a spin-off article

Of course beauty is in the eye of the beholder but what does that mean for the ideal itself in these decades? Are we going back, gradually, to the plump archetype of Baroques charm? The rising of overweight people plus the rising of the exercise industry, together with the rising of body plastic surgery combines into a strange phenomenon: we are evolving into a completely new prototype.

_____________________________________

(1) FDA Consumer magazine

(2) www.sportlink.com/press/2001/press999626482-31652.html.

(3) http://www.umm.edu/plassurg/stats.htm

(4) American Society of Plastic Surgeons: http://www.plasticsurgery.org/ news_room/ Women-Choose-Plastic-Surgery-Breast-Procedures-for-Themselves.cfm








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bahakinjo says on 2011-05-04 07:46:14 about fat pple
fat pple tend 2 be greedy luk at sean kingstone










flappyJoe says on 2011-02-21 11:09:59 about Fattys
I think that obese people should go to a strip club and get some fatty pussy










MedicalSpaMD says on 2010-04-25 23:09:43 about Results
I have to say that a very satisfying part of these procedures is the confidence and glow people get after they start feeling better about themselves.










chocoMan says on 2010-02-27 16:16:19 about fat people
Why don't you people shutup and pass me another brownie while your up.










ass says on 2010-01-26 17:40:40 about xcsd
jackass fat people.fuck










angell girl says on 2010-01-02 01:41:52 about Lupi's comment
You must be just as board as the rest of us.You have been doing some reading too.you commented .Whats up with that?










angell girl says on 2010-01-02 01:15:22 about fat people
I absolutly love everyone,but some people make it very dificult because they are so judgementle.I i really think they need a psycologist.they are so so imperfect.beauty is found deep in the heart,not on the surface of the skin.I am 5'8 and weigh 195.but i look like 150 lbs.I really dislike you know it all type of people.you judge people for how they look ,instead of the kind heart they have.give them a fkn chance you schwinehoots.










AndiMae says on 2010-01-02 00:57:41 about Disrespectful ppl
There are alot of ppl the evidentily need a reality check. You should check yourself before you sit and defy ppl for who they are. They wher all made perfect no matter the shape color anf ethinicity. Get your shit together and get sum mental help if you think you are better then everyone. Im one that believes everyones the same. Screw your negatitivity. sit back and ponder how your gonna live your life giving ppl hell but do it with your damn mouth shut idiots.










angell girl says on 2010-01-02 00:42:19 about fat people
Those people out there that think that you are so perfect,I got news for you.you are not perfect,in saying this,god created us all equal.If you want to be such bitches ,take it up with god when you lie on your death bed.He is the real judge.explane to him that you dissed people for the way they looked.That will not go over with him.In short ,you are not god.you are just an other person.please be kind.not such a little prick.










lupi says on 2009-10-31 20:42:16 about fat people
Firstly I am quite supprised that the majority of you "people" have actually read this article as you clearly need to get an education because you seem to be illiterate and secondly: WHO GIVES A DAMN what you think about fat people. If disrespecting others makes you feel better about your selves then go ahead but I hope that one day you will become fat because right now you sure as hell are ugly!!










hippichick says on 2009-10-30 08:58:17 about fat people
well people if you know that if you eat to much you can kill your self i oused to weight 199 and im 11 so i went on a diet and know im 103 and i still get asked out and stuff just do it for your selfs no one wants to see you die










keijuan says on 2009-10-26 17:05:32 about
shiitt i love fat guys dickss(:










stephany and devin says on 2009-10-26 17:02:52 about ppl
i just love when fat people run an their sweat flys everywhere and there rolls are clapping










fuckwhore says on 2009-10-26 16:58:37 about about what i want
i love more coushin for the pushin i love the rolls when it flops up and down it gives me a tinGLE htere sweaty bodies turn mi black ass on(:










wowza says on 2009-10-22 09:47:52 about fat people
you peopel are all mean okay some people have a hard time so f. u










lilly says on 2009-10-18 11:36:32 about FAT PEOPLE
THIS MAKES ME LAUGH I USE TO BE FAT AND I COULD NOT HELP IT. AND YOU KNOW ONE DAY YOU COULD GAIN WEIGHT THEN YOU WILL SEE HOW IT FEELS TO BE CONSTANTLY PUT DOWN GOD I CANT WAIT TO PUT YOU SKINNY ASS FUCKERS DOWN WHO PICKED ON ME FOR BEEN FAT TABLES WILL FUCKING TURN!










am too cool says on 2009-09-25 08:43:11 about fat bastards
yo fat people lose somefucking weight or the fu cking aeroplane will fucking blow up you get me lose lose lose fat fat fat meat meat meat am i making you hungry you fat bastard like shannon todd education village and samit choudhry i love fat fat fat meat meat meat chocolate i am hungry cnt afford food give me ome fat fat fat meat meat hello bye










am too cool says on 2009-09-25 08:42:50 about fat bastards
yo fat people lose somefucking weight or the fu cking aeroplane will fucking blow up you get me lose lose lose fat fat fat meat meat meat am i making you hungry you fat bastard like shannon todd education village and samit choudhry i love fat fat fat meat meat meat chocolate i am hugt










ew says on 2009-09-13 13:15:57 about fattys
loose some weightt!!










ShutTheFuckUp says on 2009-09-01 16:31:23 about all these fucking comments
Just because someone is fat doesnt mean that they can help it. Theres a thing called a "metabolism". Theres many diseases that can cause you to be overweight. You all should be ashamed to talk like this. I find it disgraceful that your even a human being, you all need to stop being rude because someone looks a certain way and go be nice. I could name a million overweight people who have done wonders with the world, im pretty upset that people talk like this. Like someone said to me "If someone is fat, they dont need to be told it, they know. It will just send them into a deeper depression." I hope you all feel horrible about what you said.










lovelylady says on 2009-08-16 18:55:32 about fat people
I'm not a big woman but I love big papa's as well as the little papa's. Skinny people are no better than anyone.they have hearts and feelings too.










anon. says on 2009-08-07 04:51:15 about
lallalala u suck










Piper says on 2009-07-22 15:48:54 about Fat bastárds
I don't like fat ugly people, being fat is not attractive i weigh 7st 12 pounds, and i'm not anorexic, all you fat people should get off your ass and wobble till you can actually walk and then take a walk in the park and then start jogging, maybe you should just start to settle off your big mac meal and go with your happy meals, then eventually start eating salads, hey guess what!? you can put practically any meat in a salad you fat piece of shĂ­ts so do something about it.










Chellyceeee says on 2009-07-13 05:07:24 about
Theres Noot Rang Wiv Fat People But They Neeed Too Gan On A Diet!










Chels& Cat says on 2009-06-11 21:54:53 about Cheese
Fat people like Chelsea are sexy.










flower says on 2009-05-16 13:19:09 about fat people
STOP being nasty to fat people I KNOW im rrealy skinny i dont eat nufin cause got smthing wrong with my mouth SOO at least tey are eating well im only 12 bye fat ass










MrsV says on 2009-05-13 01:11:29 about All u pieces of shit
A lot of u guys out there talking shit about fat people need to get a life and worry about your own shit stupid motherfuckers it's not like they are asking you for shit go worry about your own fucken self bulimic pieces of shit










Coody Insurence says on 2009-05-05 00:46:14 about Coody Insurencs
PURPLE CHEESE MONKEY DISHWASHERS !!!!










cherry cake says on 2009-05-04 14:06:35 about fat people
if u are fat get the hell up and do somthing about it.










greg says on 2009-04-30 20:40:28 about fat
these are very fat people










fuckin\'a says on 2009-04-25 16:29:52 about you
Fat bitch go go on a skatew board woo hooo mamamanaajnlsdjh skluhdrjihbk.bkjhblubzfusbujhawgvq35y










nini says on 2009-04-22 10:10:00 about fat people
okay so fat people are not fat nd if dey r they probly cant help it nd yall little skinny ppl that keep takn bout fat ppl need to stop cause yall look ike your mother dont feed you nd so you need to stop hurtn our feelings cause we do have feelings to nd ive been asked if i was amodel jus cause ppl is fat dont mean nuffn WE STILL GET NIGGAS nd keep dem warm in da winter nd give dem shade in da summer










nini says on 2009-04-22 10:06:43 about fat people
okay so fat people are not fat nd if dey r they probly cant help it nd yall little skinny ppl that keep takn bout fat ppl need to stop cause yall look ike your mother dont feed you nd so you need to stop hurtn our feelings cause we do have feelings to nd ive been asked if i was amodel jus cause ppl is fat dont mean nuffn










jabolie longe says on 2009-04-06 16:07:51 about everybody on here
fat ppl ugly yall ugly skinny ppl ugly nd yall mammas sum hoes and i b pimpin them nd yall keep fuckin doin this shit i will cum to ur fuckin house nd slaughter u nd ur family.
ps.ur bitches










yo mama says on 2009-04-03 08:01:48 about fat poeple
yo mama
fat people roks
exsept little boring duds like
micheal










Jewloo says on 2009-03-30 21:28:18 about Fat
Well all of you immature children...im sure that most people posting comments are about 10 years old looking to entertain their mates by using the word "Fuck me juicy dick"...probably dont realise that, the bigger you are the smaller the penis. The taller and skinnier you are, the bigger the dick.
Grow up children ^^










tonia says on 2009-03-25 11:33:37 about candy
candy is very good I think we should eat more candy then food










crazy says on 2009-03-22 18:38:49 about fat
im not fat im skinny but stop being mean to fat people thats not right. wat if one of u guys were fat and u were being picked on by your wieght or something? how will u feel? DNT BE MEAN TO FAT PPL!










white boy says on 2009-03-20 15:49:40 about
ha ha fat people suck b@ll$










lil kirst kirst says on 2009-03-17 20:16:00 about people
fat fat you look like a rat because you really fat you ugly bitch you look like a witch










lil kirst kirst says on 2009-03-17 20:15:41 about people
fat fat you look like a rat because you really fat you ugly bitch you look like a ...........










lil kirst kirst says on 2009-03-17 20:13:24 about fat peeps
i know some fat people my brothers friend is really fat like REALLY BIG HUGE he is the size of the world










tt says on 2009-03-06 12:57:05 about you
you so ugly yo moma dont want yo ass










Rylie :P says on 2009-02-26 18:05:18 about fat people
I MAY NOT BE THAT FAT BUT DON'T BE MEAN TO FAT PEOPLE BITCH! THATS SO MEAN! FAT PEOPLE HAVE FEELINGS! SOME PEOPLE ARE FAT BECAUSE THERE BORN THAT WAY! COSOMO SAYS UR FAT!? WTF ITS NOT COOL! SO WHAT IF SOME PEOPLE R FAT!? SO WHAT!? IT DOESN'T MATTER! WHAT IF SOME PEOPLE WANNA BE OVER WEIGHT!? BITCH!










anon. says on 2009-02-21 18:19:26 about
GO LOOSE SOME WEIGHT ASS HOLES. (:










anon. says on 2009-02-21 08:15:48 about fat people
stop being mean to fat people i think u are the fat bitch and evreone is difrent and i would never wont to be fat but some people can not help it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!










nicolebabyxx says on 2009-02-13 07:25:11 about fat people
not everyone can just go on a diet meat spin you shit head go to a gym eat healthy foods and cut down but dont just chuck all the fatty foods out thats not giving you a balence diet and thats what you need not a total eat nothing like meat spin says dont liston to the shit head x










betty boop says on 2009-02-10 14:16:25 about
okay that's good










meat spin says on 2009-02-08 13:53:28 about
take a diet you stupid thick fuck










darion says on 2009-01-29 19:44:56 about cherrfleading
i want to be a lifter in high school










marsbars says on 2009-01-24 09:03:24 about
YOU GUYS ARE ALL SO MEAN, FAT PEOPLE ARE LOVELY. WE ARE HUMAN BEINGS WE HAVE FEELINGS TO. 'WE'RE BEATUIFUL NO MATTER WHAT YOU SAY', (QUOTE BY CHRISTINA A). JUST BECASUE FAT PEOPLE LIKE A BIT OF CAKE AND MARS BARS DOESN MEAN THAT WE ARE NOT HUMNA BEINGS.










anon. says on 2009-01-15 18:00:20 about
some people are very ugly but at the same time they can be rich becuase pics for 10 bucs lol










XimthafattesttX says on 2009-01-07 14:20:28 about fat people
okay dude. i seriously weigh 685 pounds. and im a whoolllee lotta lady and mahh mann loves it so if you people gotta problem with fat people then suck my dick bitch










bitch says on 2008-12-16 16:28:33 about sex
i would rape a fat guy up the butt so hard his virginity would pop like a baloon










kitat says on 2008-12-06 13:29:56 about people
you should not make fun of fat people










mello says on 2008-11-26 20:01:52 about fat
why do they evan bother having a boyfriend










fattylove says on 2008-11-25 07:07:11 about fat people
fat people smell like "body odour" and they should all spit on my pussy because they look lik fat apes that need ot be tranquilised cuse they are but ugly!! WHY SHOULD WE PUT UP WITH FAT PEOPLE, THWEY TAKE UP TOO MUCH SPACE, much love bitchesxxxxxxxxxxx










fattylove says on 2008-11-25 06:55:19 about
all fat yanks should run infront of a bus.










skitsletther says on 2008-11-16 19:39:53 about fat person
omg u fat ppl gotto cut off the eating or u die haha alll u do is fart poo sleep and watch tv PLAY comp etc










adam says on 2008-11-10 09:26:08 about fat people
fuck all fat people they gonna die by exploding










ken says on 2008-11-04 09:14:33 about very large woman need
i am 200pound sweet guy buti love 500plus woman can uhelp me to hook up very large cwoman










hairyfat and horney says on 2008-10-29 16:37:49 about fat people
im a fat black hairy horney bastard


Who wants sum fat loving!!!!!!!!.










hairyfat and horney says on 2008-10-29 16:36:49 about fat people
im a fat black hairy horney bastard


Who wants sum fat loving!!!!!!!!










hildA says on 2008-10-29 13:30:49 about dno
you are all sad i am 63 and i dont have a problem at all with fat bastards haaa










hildA says on 2008-10-29 13:30:33 about dno
you areall sad i am 63 and i dont have a problem at all with fat bastards haaa










stu says on 2008-10-21 06:52:55 about 25
Fat People Suck!










Poom says on 2008-10-20 15:09:45 about YOU