Why does America want us to be so thin? Options

[glorwen]

I mean, seriously. I, myself am not thin and I never will be. I have a large family, and I have a really bad metabolism.
Besides, back in medevil (sp?) times, women who were heavier-set were viewed as healthier, and ble to bear better sons... not that I want that last part... XD

So, this raises the question; why do Americans feel the need to look down upon us larger girls, and think that we aren't pretty, aren't as smart, can't do as many things, etc.?

[oXMuhNirvanaXo]

They are just pissed off.. and unhappy with them selfs so they have to take it out on other people.

[lalalaLANUH]

Personally, I don't view larger girls in any of those terms and I don't see how America looks down upon larger girls. I feel like the hip-hop culture that surrounds young people today looks down upon skinny girls with no boobs or butt. But then again maybe we each feel America has some personal vendetta against our individual insecurities.

[xo_lovalicious_x...]

well america wants people to not be overweight because there's too much going on. and yes, if you have a large family, you're likly to be big too thats not your fault. i guess,, i don't konw, somehow skinny people are always thinking they're better or something, i would suggest excersizing? but don't get offended, i mean its not your fault after all.

[vn_cuti3]

well america wants people to not be overweight because there's too much going on. and yes, if you have a large family, you're likly to be big too thats not your fault. i guess,, i don't konw, somehow skinny people are always thinking they're better or something, i would suggest excersizing? but don't get offended, i mean its not your fault after all.

i agree and also i think america just got caught up with the music world and those advertising stuff with those skinny girls in them.

[Dreamers]

I'm looked down upon cause of my size, i don't get why some people don't like overweight people.

[femmefatale4160]

That's a good question. It's stupid to think that the anorexic look is attractive.

I'm not fat, but I'm definitely not super thin. I'm curvy, and I'm damn proud of it. A lot of my friends are overweight, but they have BEAUTIFUL faces and they are some of the greatest girls you'll ever meet.

[*mzkandi*]

It's not so much Americans as it is the media and making you think that way makes them money. Lets be prefectly honest, they dont give a damn about you, it's all about what they can get out of you. Think about it, don't you want to be beautiful, thin, and live forever? Don't you wanna look like you just walked off the pages of Vogue or be even more glamorous than your favorite actress? OK, maybe you don't think that way but it's benefial to the media that you do. Do you know how much it spent buying diet pills in just one year? Billions. Not mention things like comestics, you can even throw in comestic surgery for that matter. Yes, beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, and colors but the media can't make money if EVERYONE can be beautiful.

[femmefatale4160]

^The lady makes a good point.

[Chad_man]

well...fat girls look...ugly(no offence). Also being fat/not fit isn't good for you.

[femmefatale4160]

We're not just talking about being fat, we're talking about the difference between healthy and abnormally thin.

[sakaitone]

well...fat girls look...ugly(no offence). Also being fat/not fit isn't good for you.

Being fat and not fit are somewhat different. You can be fat and unfit but you can also be unfit and not fat. We view skinny as being healthier thought it may not always be true. Some girls can be stick thin and still be at risk of a heart attack.

Not all fat girls are ugly, though American media seems to center on SKINNY=PRETTY. This can create low self esteem. Low self esteem can stem from various things, some being not "pretty enough". Some girls with low self esteem can use food for emotional comfort. They start delevoping a eating disorder called Compulsive overeating. (is characterized by uncontrollable eating dispite lack of hunger)

"That is, as a compulsive overeater, you use food to cope with stress, upset, emotional distress, and other problems (i.e., depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem)."

Maybe America is applying pressure to get us thin but sometimes it causes us to have low self-esteem that might cause compulsive overeating. An obvious sign of compulsive eating is weight gain. Obesity is a big problem in America now, maybe all this pressure to be thin is making some of us gain weight.

[femmefatale4160]

^ I love you and everything you just said.

[lalalaLANUH]

The media/America/whatever zeros in on our insecurities and tries to make a profit out of it.
That's why you just shouldn't give.

[PrincessAda]

I think they want to be thin because being large or over weight means your not healthy and they probably think being unhealthy is ugly.

[sakaitone]

^ I love you and everything you just said.

Ummmm, Thank you! I love you too, I think.....( that is if you're talking to me but if you're not forget it.)

I think they want to be thin because being large or over weight means your not healthy and they probably think being unhealthy is ugly.

Ugh, I just said, "Being fat and not fit are somewhat different. You can be fat and unfit but you can also be unfit and not fat. We view skinny as being healthier thought it may not always be true. Some girls can be stick thin and still be at risk of a heart attack."

[SarahxJoy]

Besides, back in medevil (sp?) times, women who were heavier-set were viewed as healthier, and ble to bear better sons... not that I want that last part... XD

They were also viewed as rich because if you were heavyset, it shows that you have enough money for bountiful amounts of food. Or so said my teacher during freshman year.

And I concur with sakaitone.

[timeflies51]

My Bio teacher told us a story (he likes to tell stories...) about when he went to Hawaii. He had a tour guide who was the tiniest, skinniest little thing ever. She told him that when she was growing up, her parents would literally stuff her face with food to fatten her up. They thought that the heavier, the prettier.

America has just decided that skinny is pretty. Because of that, girls in Hollywood have tried to be "all-American girls" and set a bad example, saying that if you're not skinny, you're not pretty.

Always remember: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

[misoshiru]

I think this now applies to both males and females, at least for good physique.

So, Moved>>Debate

[clarity]

IMO, if they wanted us to be thin they wouldn't alow mcdonalds and all that crap.

We're not just talking about being fat, we're talking about the difference between healthy and abnormally thin.

way to bring me down, hun.
i'm a bit overweight, so i'm ugly.
but my friends are jealous that i'm pretty?
how does that work, my friend?

[LiLaZnGirL122]

its not jus america? welll duhh they want ppl to lose weight so they wont die! all they want is you to be not to heavy and not too thin. i mean i kno it isnt your fault but they care about your weight and so thats why cus you can get a bunch of diesies so yeahh i dont think i jus made any sence

[*kryogenix*]

Because 60% of America's adults are overweight or obese. It's not just a beauty issue. America needs to slim down. It doesn't mean go anorexic or be bulimic, but it does mean people need to watch what they eat, exercise more and stop making excuses.

[AngelinaTaylor]

^ You make a good point. I watched this Oprah show, and she was talking about some diet book which works for everyone, as long as you have the will to do it. I got convinced that it's not impossible to be healthy-looking. I mean, my brother lost about 20 pounds in a few weeks JUST by exercising and watching what he eats. And trust me, he is the worst when it comes to craving food.

However, there's nothing wrong with not being super-skinny, like all those abnormal models you see on ads everywhere. I think there's pressure coming from the media, big time. Everyone wants to look like a Calvin Klein model, and everyone wants to have the perfect-looking face (most of which isn't even real beauty). I think it's stupid, and I think people should make the best of what they've been born with.

[glorwen]

wow... my self esteem has been lifted a couple points. ^__^

Personally, I agree with sakaitone <-- her... opinions (?) really make the most sense. ^__^

[*ECD & C0*]

i dn it annyoys me as well