Why do we ridicule thin people more than fat people?

Question

It struck me while flicking through one of those celeb mags that there were pages of articles about how such and such celebrity is underweight etc, and very unhealthy, but very little about how overweight celebrities are also unhealthy. I wondered why this was? Is it fair to talk about banning so called size 0 models but not plus size 22 ones?

I would like to add that I don't agree with either, a healthy balance is the answer. I was just curious as to what you thought the reason was for this. It is very evident if you pick up any celeb magazine. Whether you like it or not is not relevant, I'm afraid!

Answer 1

It has become very "taboo" to ridicule over weight people. With so many overweight celebs making it a point to embrace their weight issues and taking a stand to end the public's eye on obesity, many people are afraid to say anything anymore.

Because of the re-newed trend of drug use being "put out there" by celebs, the focus has shifted to the "drama" of young, beautiful girls wasting away to drugs.

It's all media and how we as a public look at what's happining in Hollywood..... the trend of skinny bashing will fade soon enough and we will be forced to read about some other "hollywood drama" infultrating the young and beautiful.

I don't agree with any of it..... there are skinny people, there are fat people and there is everybody inbetween. As long as we keep buying the magazines with Nicole's ribs showing and Julia's cellulite then they will keep printing it

Answer 2

is there such thing as a size 22 model? Most plus size models are a 14-16 but aren't used in big mainstream adverts etc because they are aimed at a specialized market. Those who are thin get more media coverage and when they lose weight, they get more! in the celebrity world, the only way is down when it comes to weight. Fat people aren't of any interest to the media which is why fattie boom-booms are never seen as much as skinny minnies.

Answer 3

Probably because there isn't many over-weight celebrities!! I also think that it is somehow more socially acceptable to criticise people for being underweight than it is to criticise over-weight people, which is wrong I suppose. What makes me mad is when in one issue they are saying someone is too thin and then a few weeks later they say 'so-and-so has put on weight!' - surely if the celeb in question saw this it would make them want to loose weight again! I have never actually seen a plus size 22 model - do they exist? My opinon on the whole size 0 model banning debate is that designers should be responsible enough to hire only healthy models as it discriminates against the models who actually are that naturally thin - it does happen!

Answer 4

well, the plus size models are normally a size 16, which is the average size of a normal woman. There's a belief Marilyn Monroe was a size 16.

I think the size 0 or UK size 4, is being criticised because it's seen as an aspiration for young girls.
So the very magazines who have been criticising anyone above a size 8, is getting on a band wagon now, and saying oh, so so and so is too thin.

Answer 5

Why do we ridicule thin people more than fat people? Since when?! Overweight people have been ridiculed more (Norbit, anyone???) In Hollywood I think it's probably because most celebrities are a size 6 or less and overweight celebrities are underrepresented in the celeb magazines. (Quick! How many overweight celebs can you name??? )

And for those who mentioned plus size models, a size 12 is considered a plus size model, whereas the average woman in the US is a size 12-14.

Answer 6

Fat people (me being one) have been picked on and bullied for years. Thiness and anerexia is fast becoming a new epidemic.

Plus sizes are becoming the norm.

What these magazines should teach people is to be happy with what they have. I am not saying being size 20+ is good or healthy but neither is brainwashing kids from the age of 6 to be stick thin.

We should be teaching people that leading a healthy, clean lifestyle. Teach them about how their bodies work, how to cook, and make it fashionable. Schools do not always have the resources to do this, but magazines such as Bliss, Cosmo and Glamour do!

Answer 7

Where have you been? For years the jokes were all about the overweight and obese, and now FINALLY people are wising up about how bad it is to be the opposite. Actually, BOTH extremes are UNHEALTHY and no one in their right mind really wants to emulate either one. I've never heard of a Plus Size 22 model before but I suppose it's possible.

Answer 8

Being either overweight or underweight are both serious health problems. People let mags., tv, movies, etc... infuence their daily lifes and constantly seeing thin people makes them think "I should look like that to." but the truth is being happy with the body type that you have is the key to everything. I have never been a "skinny" girl. i wouldnt even dare go near a size 0 (it might fit my thigh!)!!! most people think that i am a smaller size than i really am (a size 9) but im not. its just the way that others precieve you.

Answer 9

Yeah, i have noticed this a lot too. It does set an unhealthy example to have ONLY thin girls modeling, but it is reverse discrimination to say they should not be models because they are thin. I am very thin... always has been... it runs in my family. I am also very healthy. I have always eatin healthy and worked out. My doctor is amazed at how healthy i am for a 42 year old. We as a society blame people for their weight. I agree... most often people do choose their weight by there eating and exercise habits, but we do need to remember that some people are the way they are simply because God made them that way. (It is in their Gene Pool.)

Answer 10

I dont know which magazines you are reading, but i encounter far more ridicule in the media (regarding both magazines movies, and television...) about people being too overweight, regardless of what is in, people shouldnt be ridiculed at all, I would much rather people look at me for my abilities and what i can do for others, than how much i weigh. Being a size 22 doesnt stop you from being a good mother/father any more than being a six 6 does, it also wont stop you being a good teacher, nurse, doctor or councellor, if you are any of these sizes, what matters is that you are happy and healthy and good to those that care about you, and that you care for.