Size 14 Miss England Contestant

[Rissask]

Originally Posted by roni

Obesity has been more precisely defined by the National Institutes of Health (the NIH) as a BMI of 30 and above.

Given the contestant's height (5'10") and weight (176), she has a BMI of ~ 25 and is not, by definition, obese.

In case anyone was wondering

yeah, I said the same thing:

Did I say she was obese? No, she would have to gain some to be considered obese, sure. 209 pounds she would to be.

in fact, I don't think anyone said she was obese.

I also said she is a beautiful girl. But I think she is pretty in spite of her weight, not because of it. I don't think being overweight is something we should be applauding and holding up as the new 'normal', is all, being that the US is the number one, UK #2 and Canada is third in the world in terms of percentages of overweight citizens as it is. That's all.
If I had a daughter who was 17 and her shape/weight, I would, like Sylvia, be concerned about it.

I would be very wary about how I broached the subject with her, I know it's tricky, you don't want to hurt their self esteem or confidence, or instigate an eating disorder- but I think we should be promoting health body weights and images, not unhealthy ones- that is, both underweight AND overweight girls and boys, men and women.

[farmgirl]

Originally Posted by catnhat

The young lady Marshall is pretty but she is overweight and although she may have not have problems with that at the young age of 17 she could be heading for problems later in life..

This young lady is probably going to have babies..Average weight gain during pregnancy is 25 to 35 lbs.
add this weight to her already 176 1lbs..
She may experience severe back pain..swollen legs and ankles..The extra weight will put strain on her heart.. This young ladies boobies are going to get bigger heavier and droopier which will add strain to her shoulders and also not be so attractive..... This young lady is high risk to contract Gestational diabetes... She could have a very large baby..
She has a good chance of having high blood pressure during pregnancy or sometime down the road..

For some gals taking off the extra pregnancy weight is hard..even if only 10 lbs stay put and she then has her second child and another 10 lbs stays put..
Then as she gets older she gains another 10 lbs that she just cannot take off...
Now is she still just oveweight or is she heading to obese..

I hope this young lady does win the contest she has entered but if she were my Granddaughter I would sit down with her and tell her what challenges she may have face in the futute...

Catnhat, have you ever had a weight problem? The absolute worst thing you could do is to sit someone down and tell them that. Especially a teenager. They know they are but don't want anyone to tell them that. They need to made to feel pretty and special which I think this girl is doing for all the young girls by entering this pageant. Boost their self esteem the weight will come off easier then telling them about all the problems they will have.
It is the same as trying to tell the way to skinny girls about all the health problems they will encounter down the road. I think there are just as many for them as there is for heavier people. I've never been for a bone density test but my girlfriend who is a twig goes routinely as it is a huge concern for her at the age of only 42. There is problems either way!! You are right about this young girl probably gaining more weight down the road BUT maybe getting some positive feedback will help her to get better fit. If she hears all negative, she just might go home and hit the fridge!!

[roni]

Originally Posted by Daddy B

What??!! A whole thread about Roni?!

I think you are the better candidate

At my age, breathing and walking is darn near perfect

[Mogley]

Being as how this is a beauty contestant and she is putting herself out there to be judged. I would have to say that she is not that attractive. She has no muscle tone. She is also not unattractive and probably a great person and all that. Good luck to her she has guts (no pun)

[farmgirl]

Originally Posted by Rissask

yeah, I said the same thing:



in fact, I don't think anyone said she was obese.

I also said she is a beautiful girl. But I think she is pretty in spite of her weight, not because of it. I don't think being overweight is something we should be applauding and holding up as the new 'normal', is all, being that the US is the number one, UK #2 and Canada is third in the world in terms of percentages of overweight citizens as it is. That's all.
If I had a daughter who was 17 and her shape/weight, I would, like Sylvia, be concerned about it.

I would be very wary about how I broached the subject with her, I know it's tricky, you don't want to hurt their self esteem or confidence, or instigate an eating disorder- but I think we should be promoting health body weights and images, not unhealthy ones- that is, both underweight AND overweight girls and boys, men and women.

You are right about that but the way things are right now we are doing that for girls that look anorexic! Which evil is worse??
I have two daughters, one was blessed with and tiny little frame and is a perfect weight. The other is bigger boned and has a constant stuggle. It has been a battle in our home to try to help her without hurting. So I know from a very personal battle that you can't just sit them down and tell them they need to loose weight for their health. I have been focusing on her good points and trying to build her confidence up with them and I am hoping with that the rest will follow. We have been cooking healthier and avoiding the bad foods. We have been sneaking in exercise without calling it "exercise". It is a very hard topic and a person with a weight problem has to want to change, you can't force it no matter what you say!

[Buggirl]

Originally Posted by osuchic10

StewartG Quote:

I see a flower. I think she is beautiful.



In my capacity as an aerobics instructor I have a LOT of people ask me about losing weight (especially after they learn my story.) Honestly, most of them are women and they voice many concerns about body image.

My answer is always the same - "What makes you beautiful is inside of you. If you want to lose weight, that's great, but do it for reasons of health, and not reasons of appearance."


Thank you for these posts. I just spent 1/2 hour writing a post and decided it wasn't the best idea. But had to thank you for these... I'm an "obese" 27 year old, 6 months pregnant who practically killed myself when I was in high/school college to look like the normal 'Beauty Queens" out there today. People probably look at me in disgust, esp. after reading some of the posts on here today. But you know what? I run all the time, have run many races including the Columbus 1/2 last year. I'm am overall a "fit" person. And at 6 mo pregnant have gained absolutely minimal weight, 120/80 BP every check up, no gestational probs and no back pain, discomfort, no abnormal tests, etc.. My baby is right on for size and we've had the best pregnancy anyone could hope for. I hope my child is comfortbale in their skin rather than following my footsteps and almost giving themself a heart attack at 20 just to try to compete with societies opinion on what is the "right" way to be. I'm 'obese' but I bet you I'm in better shape than a lot of "normal" people out there.

Good for this girl for having the guts to step up and face the criticism that she knew would fly at her.

Just my 2 cents

The way I see it, people who make disgusting comments about weight, race, sex, etc just weed themselves out of my pool of people I could be friends with. Just like people who are abusive to people and/or animals. I don't need that kind of negativity in my life.......

Losing weight, IMHO, should *only* be about becoming healthier. Achieving a "perfect" body is often impossible- and what IS perfect, anyways???

At 17, that girl has more guts and confidence than I do now- I would never put my body out there for judgment- so good for her for feeling comfortable enough to do that...

[jamesblonde]

Originally Posted by Buggirl

Losing weight, IMHO, should *only* be about becoming healthier. Achieving a "perfect" body is often impossible- and what IS perfect, anyways???

At 17, that girl has more guts and confidence than I do now- I would never put my body out there for judgment- so good for her for feeling comfortable enough to do that...

Very well said. Some of the most beautiful people I know are the ones that are most comfortable in their own skin.

I do have to add, that I understand some of the concerns about the "healthier" body type headline. However, if a heavier person eats right and gets exercise, it seems to me that they probably are healthy. I have a beautiful step-sister, who can run circles around me and she probably weighs 70 lbs more than me. But I guarantee she's in better shape.

[STOGEY]

It's not the size that counts,but how talented they are.

[farmgirl]

Originally Posted by jamesblonde

Very well said. Some of the most beautiful people I know are the ones that are most comfortable in their own skin.

I do have to add, that I understand some of the concerns about the "healthier" body type headline. However, if a heavier person eats right and gets exercise, it seems to me that they probably are healthy. I have a beautiful step-sister, who can run circles around me and she probably weighs 70 lbs more than me. But I guarantee she's in better shape.

My brother inlaw has a stomach bigger then one 9m pg but he is in better shape then anyone I know. He bikes to work all summer (across the city), he cross country ski's, he works out in their basement daily and walks miles. To look at him you would never know it.

[STOGEY]

Originally Posted by Rissask

I have a cousin who is only about 30 and very slim, slimmer than I am plus 8 years younger; she has cellulite and I don't. A lot of it is just genetics, I think.

I think she is very pretty. And good for her for her self confidence. But ....does anyone else not think there might be a bit of a danger in portraying someone her size as something to be desired or to strive for, or to celebrate....not the looks part of it, but shouldn't we be trying to portray as healthy as possible body shape and fitness level in beauty contests?


By that I mean- it might be good for the healthy and confident 12 year old girl who might be just 20 pounds or so overweight to see this-it might make her feel better about herself. But you wouldn't want the same girl to see her win and then say, hey great, I can just keep over-eating and not worrying about exercising, who cares. (And yes, I know she might be in very good fitness and health, I know you can be overweight and still be in good health- I am just sayin'.)


edited to add: the woman who won America's Next Top Model this season was a gorgeous plus size model contestant- and I thought that was great, she deserved to win. She was big, but very fit too.

I did see the pictures of you in your cuba trip report. Believe me you aint shabby at all.

[jamesblonde]

I just finally went in and read the story. Did anyone notice the picture of the plus size models?? There are a couple in there, especially the one on the right, that don't look plus size to me. What's plus size these days, a 6? Sheesh

[Heather]

Originally Posted by jamesblonde

I just finally went in and read the story. Did anyone notice the picture of the plus size models?? There are a couple in there, especially the one on the right, that don't look plus size to me. What's plus size these days, a 6? Sheesh

I KNOW!! I LOVE the "plus" size 10 models. What-EVER.

[Buggirl]

Originally Posted by jamesblonde

Very well said. Some of the most beautiful people I know are the ones that are most comfortable in their own skin.

I do have to add, that I understand some of the concerns about the "healthier" body type headline. However, if a heavier person eats right and gets exercise, it seems to me that they probably are healthy. I have a beautiful step-sister, who can run circles around me and she probably weighs 70 lbs more than me. But I guarantee she's in better shape.

Oh, totally. It makes me sad to see families at the grocery store load their carts up with nothing but junk food. And as far as I can tell, there is no correlation between size and unhealthy food choices- that I noticed at least. I think everyone should strive to make healthy(er) food choices and get regular exercise. But doing that doesn't necessarily add up to a lean body. And, honestly- if you want to eat nothing but fast food and never exercise- that's really your choice but I do cringe when there are kids involved. I think that sets them up for a tough battle with health later on.....

[catnhat]

Originally Posted by farmgirl

Catnhat, have you ever had a weight problem? The absolute worst thing you could do is to sit someone down and tell them that. Especially a teenager. They know they are but don't want anyone to tell them that. They need to made to feel pretty and special which I think this girl is doing for all the young girls by entering this pageant. Boost their self esteem the weight will come off easier then telling them about all the problems they will have.
It is the same as trying to tell the way to skinny girls about all the health problems they will encounter down the road. I think there are just as many for them as there is for heavier people. I've never been for a bone density test but my girlfriend who is a twig goes routinely as it is a huge concern for her at the age of only 42. There is problems either way!! You are right about this young girl probably gaining more weight down the road BUT maybe getting some positive feedback will help her to get better fit. If she hears all negative, she just might go home and hit the fridge!!

Hi farmgirl..
Yes I have had problem with weight... only during and after pregnacy....

I am 5ft 10" ..I was 19 when I had my first baby..by the time I was 24 I had 4 children..
I started off at a weight of 125 lbs... First pregnancy gained serious danger point weight .. 60 lbs Lots of fluid...after the babe was born I did everything I could to get my weight down to where I felt good 140 to 145 lbs.. Not a tall skinny mini but OK...
Next child I gained 45lbs.. Again I worked very hard to get my weight down..
With the twins I gained? lbs...Over 13 lbs were babies.. That was in the 70's
Since then
I workout several times a week...I do not go on fad diets nor do I go on weigh scales..I watch what I eat and I know where I feel good and how I want to look in a pair of jeans. I also workout to keep my cholesterol level down...

I never once said I would sit down with a person I love and give them only neg .

Of course I would build up the child's self esteem and always did with my own children.
Last night I chatted on the phone with my 13 yr old granddaughter (One in avatar with me) for an hour...
The young lady I love so much told me about how after 5 years of guitar lessons she was going to trade it in for dance lessons... Jazz and hip hop...I was proud of her choice and told her that..
We talked about the exercises she is going to get from her dance lessons along with the fun she will have dancing..
I told her I would do all I could to fly to her home city to see her dance recital at the end of her lessons. I encouraged her..

You are darn tootin I will talk with my granddaughter or anyone else close to me that I love if I see that they have weight problems.... There is no way I will sit back and watch a child pig out or not...

Only a fool would sit down with a child or adult and discuss weight issues without being sensitive to their feelings..... and anyone that knows me knows that I would be respectful and sensitive to feelings...



I agree with rissask on this issue..


We are seeing many family members and friends...babyboomers.. that are dealing with issues because of weight problems they let get out of control; through the years.....
high blood pressure..
back pain
leg and feet problems

problems breathing just trying to get up a flight of stairs..

One is even at higher risk going into some surgeries if they are overweight...

I think many overweight people are the most beautiful.. Many have wonderful complexions and hardly no wrinkles...
My concerns are not about how one looks on the outside because I agree that beauty really does come inside..
My concern is what is going on in that overweight or underweight body...

[StewartG]

Originally Posted by Buggirl

The way I see it, people who make disgusting comments about weight, race, sex, etc just weed themselves out of my pool of people I could be friends with. Just like people who are abusive to people and/or animals. I don't need that kind of negativity in my life.......

Losing weight, IMHO, should *only* be about becoming healthier. Achieving a "perfect" body is often impossible- and what IS perfect, anyways???

At 17, that girl has more guts and confidence than I do now- I would never put my body out there for judgment- so good for her for feeling comfortable enough to do that...

And by the way, I don't know if word worked its way back to you, but when I met you last month, I thought you were absolutely gorgeous.

Ask Vanessa, we had a chat about you. Really. You're one of my new board crushes...

(I hope Jeremy doesn't want to punch me in the nose now!)