Americans Find Being Fat Not Unattractive

Yahoo/AP ^ | 01/11/06 | CANDICE CHOI, Associated Press Writer

[misterrob]

Thin is still in, but apparently fat is nowhere near as out as it used to be.

A survey finds America's attitudes toward overweight people are shifting from rejection toward acceptance. Over a 20-year period, the percentage of Americans who said they find overweight people less attractive steadily dropped from 55 percent to 24 percent, the market research firm NPD Group found.

With about two-thirds of U.S. adults overweight, Americans seem more accepting of heavier body types, researchers say. The NPD survey of 1,900 people representative of the U.S. population also found other more relaxed attitudes about weight and diet.

While body image remains a constant obsession, the national preoccupation with being thin has waned since the late 1980s and early 1990s, said the NPD's Harry Balzer.

Those were the days when fast food chains rushed to install salad bars. In 1989, salads as a main course peaked at 10 percent of all restaurant meals. Today, those salad bars have all but vanished and salads account for just 5 1/2 percent of main dishes.

"It turns out health is a wonderful topic to talk about," Balzer said. "But to live that way is a real effort."

Fewer people said they're trying to "avoid snacking entirely" — just 26 percent in 2005, down from 45 percent in 1985 — while 75 percent said they had low-fat, no-fat or reduced fat products in the last two weeks, down from 86 percent in 1999, according to the survey.

At 5-feet-6 and 230 pounds, Lara Frater likes her body just fine and turns up her nose at trendy diets.

[laney]

Suzanne Somers I think has one of the best ways of eating
for women over 40 pre and post menopausal and of course walking and moving around helps keep some of those unwanted pounds off.

[Freedom_no_exceptions]

At 5-feet-6 and 230 pounds, Lara Frater likes her body just fine and turns up her nose at trendy diets.

5'6" and 230?? If she keeps this up, she'll lose some of that weight anyway...one limb at a time. But not to worry...nothing "trendy" about being fed through a hospital feeding tube.

[Mordacious]

The ultimate in masculine beauty: Teddy Kennedy parades his lucious triple D cup man breasts,

I try not to be shallow when it comes to men and looks, but I do have one iron-clad rule: Never date a guy whose boobs are bigger than mine.

[rattrap]

Does this mean I can drink all the beer I want, grow a giant gut and still attract supermodels? I must've died and gone to heaven.

[timsbella]

Completely agree. I'm 40 next year and I have classic business suits I've worn for ten or more years that fit nicely thanks to a half hour walk a day.

Suspiciously though, my wardrobe has succumbed to the "vanity sizing" trend. My older suits are all 9/10, additions from a couple years ago were 7/8 and I just bought leather pants that are a six. They all fit the SAME way.

Fashion gives with one hand and takes away with the other.

[dinoparty]

I agree. I'll take a curvaceous blond over a skinny waif any day. It has something to do with the search for a healthy mate, I think. However, when the rolls are not well proportioned...that's another story.

[Calpernia]

>>>Americans seem more accepting of heavier body types

Actually, I don't think 'Americans' ever stopped accepting a heavier type of body. Homo designers introduced broom sticks with poofy lips. Woman that resembled more of a prepubescent boy style and that never really took off.

Larger body types are actually NORMAL body types. And much more attractive.

This is a size 14. A REAL size 14 and not today's creative sizing.

This is a size 12. A REAL size 12 and not today's vanity sizing.

So no, America is not accepting 'larger'. We just never bought into the skeleton look.

[areafiftyone]

Wooo Hooo Fat is Fun!

[mollynme]

And here are the guys who won't date anyone fatter than Anne Coulter! LOL

[Calpernia]

Oh that is so wrong!

[dawn53]

I struggled with the extra "menopause" weight, tried to lose it every which way, but finally got comfortable with it (husband doesn't seem to mind, it was just bugging me.)

I never had to diet my entire life, just ate when I was hungry and stayed the same weight. I did read that oftentimes the weight leaves just as quickly as it came once you get past the hormonal fluctuations, we'll see.

In the meantime, I eat healthy, exercise the best I can (I have MS, and it does limit my exercise sometimes), but I quit obsessing over the weight.

In my book, it's just as mentally destructive to obsess over losing weight as it is for a glutton to obsess over what their next meal will be.

[timsbella]

Sorry I've seen their measurements and purchased some neat vintage dresses from the 60's. A size 12 or 14 then is about an 8 now - American designers followed British sizing rules then, which, bless the Brits, have remained consistent.

[School of Rational Thought]

While there may be doubt that there has been an increase in chubby chasers, there is no doubt more fat people responded the survey.

[areafiftyone]

LOL That is one of my favorites. LOL

[wtc911]

First time my wife came along on one of my southern trips she was surprised at extra-large of all ages and colors that seemed to be everywhere. New Yorkers walk...I think that's the difference.

[laney]

That's great! I waver between a 6 and a 8 depending on how the clothes are made, and I definetly cannot eat what I like anymore, but I use my weekend day to indulge in anything I like which makes me always look forward to the weekends! Since doing Yoga I think that really helps your metabolsim strength and keeps the muscles limber...

[Brilliant]

That's because we're all fat.

[dinoparty]

Yes, living in a big city will keep you trim, because of the walking and the increased pressure to stay fit in order to fit in.

[Lazamataz]

Americans Find Being Fat Not Unattractive

Oh, SURRRRE....

Right when I'm closing in on my target weight (which is 100 lbs below my top weight ever).

It ain't fair, I tell ya, now they'll want me to gain it all back!

[Calpernia]

Sorry what?