Little And Large

[vernonk]

A few days ago, Victoria Beckham was widely condemned for using a super skinny model to promote her clothing range. I understand the concerns. But why is that worse than having obese people like Michele McManus (a panellist on Loose Women this week) and Alison Hammond on mainstream telly? Aren’t they all poor role models whether they’re too thin or too fat?

[hc4361]

Models sole purpose is to project a 'look' that is claimed to be fashionable and enviable so that women go out and buy that designer's clothes. They are telling the world that women should look like them.

Michelle and Alison are tv personalities that aren't promoting an 'ideal image'.

[NoMercy]

Anyone with an unhealthy body weight, whether they're scarily thin or corpulent, are potentially bad role models and shouldn't wear their unhealthy appearance like a badge of pride.

And before anyone accuses me of making personal digs (because they inevitably will), this has always been my opinion and always will be.

[Jackdaw33]

I'm old enough to remember Twiggy.

[ummmm]

Why can't you just say 'fat' though. It's not an offensive word. Why use a word I've never in my life heard anyone use?

[Jackdaw33]

Fat is fat. Obese is ginormous fat!

[hc4361]

That's right - fat can mean slightly overweight but obesity means you have a body mass index over 30. Over 40 a person is morbidly obese and is at a very high risk of serious illness.

[ummmm]

Why use 'corpulent'?

What purpose does that serve on this site.

[NoMercy]

Sorry... I meant "well upholstered."

[jennyjoan]

Corpulent, Chubby, chunky, Large, Meaty, Plump, Bulky - it's all fat.

[douglas9401]

"Why use 'corpulent'?

What purpose does that serve on this site."

For the improvement of vocabulary? It's not at all obscure.

[andy-hughes]

hc4361's first post sums it up.

For the two ladies mentioned - their size is not a part of the persona they are promoting on the basis that it is a desirable look.

[Mamyalynne]

Fashion models have been stick thin or almost that for a long time, it's never easy to judge if a garment would look as good on you - but that's the world of fashion.

Hc is right in his first reply about the difference between the two situations.

[zebo]

I think that the criticism of VB is that young girls will look at her models and think that they have to emulate them, risking their health. I doubt that any young girl would want to emulate obese models, there is a health point to be made though and I speak as one who would make Ms Malone look like a waif!

[murraymints]

Because ..as soon as the fat word is used...abuse and haranguing starts here !

[Coppit]

I prefer the word Jumbobum, provocative enough to make fat people do something about being overweight.

[ummmm]

Minty - we're not talking about people on here. It's about fat 'v' thin in the public eye. There is nothing wrong with the word 'fat'

If the word 'fat' has been bandied about on here it's usually a sly underhand dig at someone. Like I said...the thread isn't about people on here though.

[EcclesCake]

Having been morbidly obese and now underweight according to the BMI scale I can see both sides of the picture.

If you are happy in yourself that is what matters. Many, too many, models are on a ridiculous diet regime which some have spoken out about.

Weight is a horribly divisive issue which too many do not understand the varying scales. It is difficult for the perfect to acknowledge why the imperfect are the way they are.

[andy-hughes]

Our culture is opposed to obesity - it always has been.

Since the end of the war - rationing ensured that obesity was not an issue - we have seen ain increase in obesity across the western world.

Hand in hand with it is the cultural rejection of fat people who are routinely derided, scorned, assumed to be lazy, feckless, lacking in will power, lacking in self respect, and so on and so on.

I have always had issues with cultural 'role models', since the people saddled with such status rarely ask for it, or deserve it.

Interestingly, when we do find genuine role models, the media either ignores them, or takes a competely different tack altogether.

Amy Winehouse is a perfect example.

During her decline into death, she was routinely trampled on by the national press for her lifestyle, drug habbits, inability to perform, and so on.

What she should have been was a perfect 'role model' for young people.

Rarely have a have I seen a better template for the way in which drugs and alcohol can rob a young woman of her looks, her talent, and eventually her life.

So I do tend to side-step the notion of 'role models' as a media construct, which is what they actually are.

[Zacs-Master]

So, let me get this right, this is a debate about whether obese or anorexic looking celebs are worst?

I'd be sending a CV to the Daily Mail if I were you Vernon.

[melv16]

A large majority of the presenters on Loose Women have had face lifts/Botox/boob jobs. Is that a case for being 'role models'?