Why is fat ugly?

Question

Is there a biological reason that the vast majority of people--including fat people--are not attracted to fat people? Or is it a cultural value, ingrained in us by media? What about the days when fat was consider attractive (in the Victorian days)?

I'm referring to westernized countries.

Answer 1

Someone studying psychology from the biological view would probably be able to answer this question better, i'm sure there is a way... however, to me the biggest factor in what people of western societies deem attractive stems from the media.. today the body type covetted by so many teenagers of both sexes are extremely hard to attain, its the stars JOBS to look that good. they have people feeding them and coming to their houses to force them to follow strict workout/maintainence plans. What i'm getting at is that media shoves ideals in our faces, ideals that aren't realized by the average american. they connect feeling sexy, being wanted, having friends with being attractive. We have roaring WeightLoss industries that have the money to back up these ideals because it keeps them in business. They brainwash people into thinking that losing those ten pounds will change your life, will take away your problems and will make you happy. But thats not the case. Over the past ten years the changes in attitudes towards weight can be tracked easily throughout shows and movies everyones seen. Cameron Diaz's role in the "Mask" shows her as being volumptous, Jennifer Aniston has lost a significant amount of weight from the earilest "Friends" episodes. This just goes to show that in order to 'make it' in Hollywood you have to 'fit' the part. There is simply no escaping the media and the messages the media sends. There's no escaping it at home, even the internet ads find ways of squeezing a few half naked 'venus's' on each page....

Answer 2

I think the reason that many people consider "fat" to be ugly is that it represents laziness to us. Even though it may not be true, we've been trained by Hollywood and the media that in order to be successful and attractive we must be thin - even skinny. In the past, when a little heavy was considered attractive, it was because only those who were wealthy and could afford extra food and not working laborious jobs were heavy. It was more of a symbol of being upper class.

Answer 3

In my personal opinion I feel people are too hooked on physical aspects rather than on inner beauty. And that will only get worse and so will the suicide rate because they are too stupid to figure out they are chasing mates with no heart and no intentions of having feelings for the idiots in the first place. But live and learn.

Answer 4

I think it's cultural idea that fat is unattractive. Maybe people would be attracted to heavier people if they weren't afraid that others would there was something wrong with them for doing so.

Not every culture, even in the U.S., views overweight as being unattractive.

Answer 5

Because it's disgusting. Back in Victorian days, fat was only considered good because their family may be rich.

Answer 6

u know its got everything to do with the media. i think monique is one of the biggest sexiest woman out there and so was mae west its just the way the media portrays them that makes the majority look bad dont believe the hype...

Answer 7

The strange thing is tho- even tho nobody wants to admit it there are ALOT of BBW admirers and BHM admirers out there, go into any chat area and check out the BBW rooms they are busy, type in BBW dating and there are thousands of sites. Nobody likes the fatties but I'll be darned there are sites out there devoted to admirers of them. Society is too caught up on physical appearance-

Answer 8

it's cultural. there are some places in the world that view fat people as beautiful.

Answer 9

most of the stars these days are extremely skinny, and everyone looks up to them and wants to look like them. so...since most of them are in shape, being overweight isnt attractive... its really stupid tho