Why does America want us to be so thin? Options

[NYCin2009]

I think most it comes from Hollywood and our idolization of celebs. Most stars are often concerned about their weight, which makes us think that we should also be concernedd with our weight. I do agree that people should have some care about their weight, that doesn't mean we should all be thin, but it means that we should all want to be healthy.

Also, some of it probably comes from the us thinking that we need to me thinner since studies have shown that within the past few generations we are getting larger. America is also probably wanting to get ride of the recently increasingly popular stereotype that america is fat.

[nishikigoi]

I think it's annoying when people say skinny people are unattractive, or blah blah. Maybe the focus should be more on overall health and WHY someone is at the weight they're at. What is leading them to their consumption, or lack, of food.

[tilanguyenar]

Here, here they are:

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-mzkandi

[*MyMichelle*]

Because thin is beautiful and sexy and the only thing that tastes good. That's why.

[SenorClean]

America would love it if you are fat. That way you buy more fast food from big businesses. and Cha Ching, Mo money!

[USCavalry]

i don't have anything against fat girls, they just simply aren't as attractive as not fat girls. though you ask the question: "Why does America want us to be so thin?" why would you prefer being fat?

[elaboratedream]

America doesn't want us to be "so thin".
America wants us to be a healthy weight.
Most people don't find people who are freakishly thin attractive, and most people don't find people who are fat attractive.
That's how it is. You're not gonna change it.

So you have three options:
1. You can bitch about it and blame all your problems on modern society
2. You can exercise, eat less, maybe even try using a weight loss pill (alli is the only FDA aproved one, but there are plenty out there) or if non of those work, get some sort of surgery
OR
3. You can get over it and be happy with who you are.

[lorrytruck;]

maybe it's because we're sick of the sterotype, "americans are fat."

I completely agree. The first word that comes to mind as synonymous with America nowadays is FAT and OBESE. This may be a bit harsh to hear, but it's the truth. I was so appalled when I first arrived here (in Oregon) and noticed that only ONE person in my ENTIRE school was fat; contradictory to common belief that it's FULL of fat people. But then again, it's Oregon, right?

And according to statistics (USA):

• Eight out of 10 over 25's Overweight
• 58 Million Overweight; 40 Million Obese; 3 Million morbidly Obese
• 78% of American's not meeting basic activity level recommendations
• 70% of Cardiovascular disease related to obesity
• 30% of gall bladder surgery related to obesity

In the USA, for example (2005 statistics), only four states out of 50 have obesity rates below 20 percent, and 17 had obesity rates above 25 percent.
Be healthy!

[WaterMelon_Chick...]

OOOoook. Let me start by saying LOL @ retarded chopstick. Anyway,I think it's not so much America as it is the media. The image of beauty is so thin you can see your heart beating if your a women, and so ripped your veins are comin out of your head if your a guy. Thank GOD there are more people like Beyonce and Mariah Carey, who are embracing their curves. The thing that I do not see the media doing, is placing importance on being healty. THIN does not = HEALTHY. To me there is nothing wrong with having meat on your bones unless it begins to cause health concerns. I do not agree with people bashing and ridiculing people for being overweight, but overlooking the fact that there are all these high sugar, and processed foods that are clearly unhealthy but so obtainable because they dont cost much at all or within arms reach at a burger barn or a corner store. In America it cost money to be healthy, people who cannot afford to be healthy aren't, thin or meaty. People who can afford to be healty may not choose to because they have money to indulge.

As far as THIN=PRETTY and FAT=UGLY, thats where I draw the line. In the African-American community, we embrace curves. I am thick or solid w/e you want to call it :D. Thickness can range from Beyonce to Tocara. You can definately be meaty and be beautiful. Monique shits on most of the skinny hefas. She can dress her ass off and there is nothing ugly about her. There is pretty and ugly in all shapes big or small. I have seen some skinny people who look like night of the living dead and there is nothing pretty about that.

In the end its all buisness, money people fatten Americans with harful foods sold in markets and fast food chains across the country, then after they blow them up, they want them to go out and spend lots of money on diet products that promise to "get you to lose 10lbs in two days". And what do we as Americans do, we buy into it. >_< My mission is to save people from this vicious cycle, I am going to culinary school and I am going to open a resturant that serves fast and healty food in the heart of the inner-city where it is needed most.

And no matter what size you are strive to be healthy and not thin. THIN does not equal pretty.

[medic]

Why is automatically America that wants everyone to be thin? I am pretty sure the fashion industry and private corporations are the ones who started the "loose weight" campaigns, and not all of them are American based.

It is also funny that we are the most obese country in the world. So if we want everyone to be thin, we are not doing to well.

[*steve330*]

because god said so

[medic]

because god said so

This coming from a Texan, I trust your judgment.

[WHOngos144]

I agree with sakaitone

[*steve330*]

This coming from a Texan, I trust your judgment.

and rightfully so

[Aerjae]

McDonalds doesnt want to hold responsibility for your fatness. America doen't want you to be skinny. Why? Did she ask you to loose weight?

[Trinie]

im chubby but im not looked down on. :)
i love me. and plus big girls have sexy curves :-P

but i dont think america looks down on fat people. there are plenty of plus sized women who are smart, sexy and are even models too. :)

[*steve330*]

America doesn't look down on fat people because half the people are fat.

[austinoutloud]

i think it's wierd that we have a problem with people being too thin AND too fat at the same time.

[*steve330*]

I don't. Both are unhealthy. Gotta get justttttt right.

[*Mercy*]

because god said so

Silly texan,dosnt your state only have 5 thin people and a bunch of my peoples living there?


As for I,I embrace thickness and curves as im latina and along with the afican americans,we arent biased towards plus size or curvy people.

There are truely some gorgeous BBW's out there,and its a shame that America TRIES to overlook them.

[illriginal]

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.?

Uhm.. Global Warming?


I don't know, maybe because it's better for their health. Plus do you know how uncomfortable it is just to be overweight? I do bulking and cutting phases in my diets and gym routine. So changing from thin/rip to fat/soft back and forth at least 1 a year, you'll easily notice a difference.

Prior to becoming a health freak, I used to be overweight. Was 245lbs and my blood pressure was actually high lol.

After the doc told me my vitals, I decided to join the gym, and hit the gym hard :D
I did cardio twice a day everyday except for sundays.
I would wake up at 5:45 AM and be at gym by 6:00AM. Start my cardio (treadmill) and run for a minimum of 30 minutes. Unless I do HIIT, which is something to do for at max 15 minutes, unless you're an athlete. Go home and take a shower, eat breakfast, and go to work.

Then after work (which was random hours of the day, most of the time past 5) I would go straight to the gym, change out, and hit the treadmill. For another 30 minutes. Thank God MP3 players existed back then :D

I love being thin, having huge bursts of energy, waking up feeling fresh and energetic etc...

So getting on a diet, isn't anything to be ashamed about. It's basically your responsibility to take care of your own body/health. If not, you'll just let yourself go and die from your own poisoning.

[queen]

^ that's true, but i think the topic hints about the shallow aspect of being overweight. it's just in the general consensus (at least in america) that thin people are "more attractive". you could be a healthy thick person(which, granted, are pretty rare), and you'd still be looked down upon.

[illriginal]

^ that's true, but i think the topic hints about the shallow aspect of being overweight. it's just in the general consensus (at least in america) that thin people are "more attractive". you could be a healthy thick person(which, granted, are pretty rare), and you'd still be looked down upon.

Oh well in that case... hell yeah Americans are shallow. And I'll admit, I'm just as shallow. But the reason being is.. the first attraction is physical, second is personality, third is intelligence, and finally forth is her (and do not get offended ladies) womanly duties.

On top of that I have standards for a dime chick that turns me on just lookin at her sexy self while listening to her intellectual opinion(s) :D

[xKatt]

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

Um. How can she not take offense to that, honestly? And it looks like you need to step out of the debate forum if you're going to type up a post with the merit of a 1st grader.

I read an article once that said that people who are "fat" are not necessarily unhealthy. In fact some larger people are much healthier than some slimmer people. Seriously! I'm 5'5 and 99 pounds. Does that make me any healthier than a girl who's 5'5 and 130 pounds? Not at all!!

Believe me. I am the biggest pig you'll ever meet and I don't play any sports. I'm lazy and I eat candy and cake and brownies like no other.

It's something called heredity, my friend. And it works both ways. I know someone who's the complete opposite of me. She's athletic, is always involved in sports, eats just as much as she needs to and on a strictly healthy diet. But ... she's what you might call "fat". But she's lightyears more healthy than I am!

And America's not the only country that wants people to be thin. It's really hard to explain it. Sometimes people create a stereotype about fat people, like they're lazy or eat too much and those traits are unattractive.

If you're fat, be fat and proud damnit! Don't starve yourself or go on crash diets or anything that strays from a regular, healthy lifestyle. I know this is going to sound as cliche as anything, but having confidence will matter a hell of a lot more than a slim figure.

[*SinfullySweet*]

You guys can't hold fast food restaraunts for america's obesity. They're not shoving food in our faces. We choose to eat it. Sure, Mc Donalds is unhealthy, but the person that decides to eat it is their own fault, you can go around pointing fingers "MC DONALDS MADE US FAT" No idiot. You ate their food.