Given that 65% of Americans are overweight...

[HotPepper]

When might we see a return to the celebration of the female figure, with its curves and its softness, as compared to glorification of silicone, visible ribs, and women that resemble young men in an abstract fashion?

Just wondering...because our society is due for a wake-up call in terms of how it views beauty in the female form. Oh sure, most of us, including me on lit, can appreciate female beauty in all of its presentations. Yet the historic female figure is one of substance, not of emaciation...and physiologically speaking, we are stone-age bodies living in the communication/post atomic age. So what gives? Why the fascination with ultra-skinny women, which only 5% of the female population in the U.S. can attain, and then only through genetics or extreme dieting?

Pondering...

HotPepper

 

[Zmey]

Well If I like some body they going to see it

 

[Freya]

Personally, I don't believe men really do like the ultra skinny chicks. They like women that look like women - with hips, curves and some softness. But lots just really don't like the more overweight model either.

 

[Guest]

Personally, I don't believe men really do like the ultra skinny chicks. They like women that look like women - with hips, curves and some softness. But lots just really don't like the more overweight model either.

damn str8. I like BBW. Real women have curves.....wasnt that a movie?

 

[k¡tty]

I've had many men tell me that they love a curvy woman, something they can run their hands over and squeeze.

I think that it's primarily advertising, marketing and the industry that show's us mainly thinner woman.

 

[Thin Man]

Personally, I don't believe men really do like the ultra skinny chicks. They like women that look like women - with hips, curves and some softness. But lots just really don't like the more overweight model either.

What she said!

 

[RastaPope]

Some guys like fat chicks, some guys like skinny girls, some like their women in between.

Simple stuff.

 

[HotPepper]

I agree Freya2

Personally, I don't believe men really do like the ultra skinny chicks. They like women that look like women - with hips, curves and some softness. But lots just really don't like the more overweight model either.

Extremes are not in the general framework of most folks, although that is fine for those that relish it (ultra skinny or ultra fat). But our culture glamorizes thin women (see super bowl ads) and makes fun of those that do not fit the cultural ideal (see super bowl ads).

Obviously, this approach sells beer and other products. But when will people realize that the image they see on TV/*********/magazines are not the image they see in real time?

And...yes I know my avatar is of a beer commercial...it is meant as a commentary, not as a preference.

Best,
HotPepper

 

[Rubyfruit]

95% of men surveyed responded positively to my curves.

 

[RastaPope]

I like boobies.

/obvious

 

[Freya]

Young guys like the skinny girls - but men like the women. What society responds to in all those ads is the confidence shown by even the boniest of women. They're 110 pounds and look like they deserve to be admired for their size - well, I'm 175 pounds and when I go out, I act like I should be admired for mine, and men respond to that. Women aren't being led to believe that they should be skinnier due to the advertisements - it's the confidence that those models exude that women are constantly trying to live up to.

 

[Pyper]

Good God, haven't we had this conversation enough to last us for a gazillion years?

 

[Guest]

I think that it's primarily advertising, marketing and the industry that show's us mainly thinner woman.

Hollywood is about distorting images. Sex sells products so they want the public to believe that a certain look is sexy and healthy.
Exposed ribs and silicone doesnt turn me.
The more curves the better

 

[HotPepper]

OK...

Young guys like the skinny girls - but men like the women. What society responds to in all those ads is the confidence shown by even the boniest of women. They're 110 pounds and look like they deserve to be admired for their size - well, I'm 175 pounds and when I go out, I act like I should be admired for mine, and men respond to that. Women aren't being led to believe that they should be skinnier due to the advertisements - it's the confidence that those models exude that women are constantly trying to live up to.

I agree with the confidence statement and how men love 'real' women (although skinny women are real too), and believe me, I am just trying to have a friendly discourse here.

So tell me why is there a $50 billion weight loss industry in this country? It isn't because dudes are looking to shed the beer gut or the love handles. Advertisements...glorification of the 'skinny' female frame, are more than partially to blame.

And good for you and your confidence...I respect and admire women of your confidence and strength...I just wish more of your peers felt the same.

HP

 

[sufisaint]

65% of america is obese...not just overweight and that is not natural...there are all kinds of body types but most do not have to be obese...it a choice...no different than smoking...

 

[Pyper]

Re: OK...

So tell me why is there a $50 billion weight loss industry in this country? It isn't because dudes are looking to shed the beer gut or the love handles. Advertisements...glorification of the 'skinny' female frame, are more than partially to blame.

Someone kick me for entering this conversation...

You yourself said that 65% of Americans are overweight. That might have something to do with it.

 

[k¡tty]

Hollywood is about distorting images. Sex sells products so they want the public to believe that a certain look is sexy and healthy.
Exposed ribs and silicone doesnt turn me.
The more curves the better

I tend to agree with you there, they have one body image that they perceive to be sexier than another.


Freya sugar your so tall that you carry that weight well. I mean I think you'd look *funny* if you were even 160lbs.


I also agree that it's how a woman carries herself, if she's confidante with how she looks and who she is.. men will notice them quickly no matter their size.

 

[Freya]

Again, the weight loss business is a farce based on the ideal that being thinner will give you the confidence to succeed in every aspect of your life - if you're skinnier, you'll be happier, stronger, healthier, more active, make more money and meet that man of your dreams. And as long as women can't figure out that all those things come from a heightened sense of what's inside them, rather than what's on the outside, the industry will continue to prosper.

But, on the flip side of that, I do have to admit that much of my confidence has happened since I lost a bunch of weight, and began to feel good about how I looked. So I'm probably answering this based on faulty reasoning. But, with me, losing that weight allowed me to be freer and devleop my personality with some confidence - and I believe that if I gained the weight again, I'd still be as confident about myself as I am now.

 

[Rooster]

Well ...

"They" ... are also classifing more people as over weight ..... I'm 5' 11" and 182 pounds ... and I was told I'm overweight

The disclaimer is BMI doesn't distinguish between fat mass and fat-free or "lean" mass

 

[HotPepper]

Re: Re: OK...

Someone kick me for entering this conversation...

You yourself said that 65% of Americans are overweight. That might have something to do with it.

Yes and 95% of persons who try to lose weight fail...and regain all of the weigh within six months. These are not men trying to lose weight, they are women. Read the scientific literature. 75% of those dieting at any point are women. And 90% of those buying diet products are women.

So yes, the preponderance of overweight persons is a cofactor for diet product purchases. But the proportion of women to men who buy these products (in relation to overall overweight trends being relatively equal), is off the scale towards female purchases.

Best,
HP

 

[Thin Man]

Many men

Are proud of their gut hanging out. Butt cheeks showing the crack.

Oh well, different strokes.

I can see my belt buckle and am proud of it.

 

[Guest]

 

[HotPepper]

And...

65% of america is obese...not just overweight and that is not natural...there are all kinds of body types but most do not have to be obese...it a choice...no different than smoking...

It is precisely that belief that propigates the stereotypical prejudice against persons of size.

And by the way, I am considered 15 pounds overweight for my height (6'0"), so do not think that I am a 'fat sympathizer' due to my weight.

Best,

HP

 

[ExtacyCouple]

65% of america is obese...not just overweight and that is not natural...there are all kinds of body types but most do not have to be obese...it a choice...no different than smoking...

I was going to point out the same thing. There is nothing wrong with a woman being curvy but whats really wrong when 65% of our countries population is overweight. Let's quit worrying about Super Bowl commercials and start worrying how to get people healthy.

 

[Pyper]

Re: Re: Re: OK...

Yes and 95% of persons who try to lose weight fail...and regain all of the weigh within six months. These are not men trying to lose weight, they are women. Read the scientific literature. 75% of those dieting at any point are women. And 90% of those buying diet products are women.

So yes, the preponderance of overweight persons is a cofactor for diet product purchases. But the proportion of women to men who buy these products (in relation to overall overweight trends being relatively equal), is off the scale towards female purchases.

Best,
HP

I agree with you. I'm an anthropology student, and I've studied gender differences in self-image. Men who are overweight will most often say they are perfect. Women who are the correct weight will most often say they are overweight. I also agree that the media has a lot to do with this.

BUT! Most Americans are overweight and this is a problem. The dieting industry is mostly a scam, and what people (women AND men) need to do is talk to their doctor about serious plans for losing weight in a healthy manner.

Also, Rooster brings up a good point. Who is "they"? Who decides what is healthy and what is overweight? Do these standards change with time? Do they apply differently to different groups of people?