I saw something very disturbing yesterday. There I was, watching "Friends" in syndication, when an ad comes on for an open modeling call to take place here this weekend. The disturbing part is that they are advertising for "curvy, full-figured, plus-size" models -- SIZES 10 AND UP. Since when is a size 10 plus-size????????? I get annoyed when my size -- that would be 14 -- is called plus-size, because I have a healthy body weight for someone with my height and build -- it just needs to be toned up a little. It's absolutely horrible to contemplate that there are actually people out there who believe that size 10 is over the limits of "normal" or "regular." I think I was in junior high the last time I could fit into a size 10 -- and I was a seriously skinny teenager.

Nutrition and healthcare have improved over the last century such that people today are larger on all dimensions than they used to be, and our "standards" need to be adjusted to reflect that.

I'm not denying that our society does have a problem with unhealthy overeating of the wrong kinds of foods (and I'm not innocent on that account all the time). Just survey the carts around you next time you're at the grocery store. But perfectly normal people should not be characterized as unhealthily overweight.

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I'm walking the 5K Race for the Cure this weekend with some friends from my bookclub and the people they work with. I am not now nor will I ever be a runner -- it's just too hard on my knees. But it's a good cause and social to boot, so I thought it would be a good thing to do.
- posted by Lori @ 4:39:00 PM | permanent link | |