To think that it is not particularly healthy to "promote" being plus size?

[MaterTheGreater]

I'm sure this discussion's been done, so no yawns please, but on Radio 2 this afternoon they were talking about the story in the news that 1 in 4 items sold in women's clothing are a size 18 or over.

They were saying that this was great and that Adele was a great role model for women.

Now I agree that they shouldn't be sending size zero models down the catwalk, and I think it's great that some designers are using something like a size 14, but I really don't think it's in any woman's best interest to think that a size 18 is a good thing.

I love Adele - she has an amazing voice, and comes across as a lovely girl, but she is definitely "overweight", and healthwise that can never be a good thing.

I know that obviously if you are taller with a bigger frame, then you need a bigger size, but I think even at 5'11" (which a good friend of mine is), an 18 would still be overweight.

I am 5'8" and a size 18 on the top half and 16 on the bottom and I am totally miserable. I am constantly worried about my health and the effect that my weight has on it. I am currently trying to shed the pounds, which is hard, but I really do not want to be this size - it's disgusting and unhealthy and I hate all the "big is beautiful" bollocks.

LDN I understood it to be 250,000 protesters, but what's a quarter of million between internet sparrers!
They are another great example of "idiots" who hinder the cause (and I'm not talking about the violent minority who should be aggressively beaten with truncheons) - its all very well saying don't cut this and cut that, but what do they suggest?- fact is we are overspent, for whatever reason, and like all budgets in all households we have to make cuts.
They should be constructive and suggest where to make savings instead of the "not on my doorstep" attitude.
I'm very sorry if it affects them, but its going to affect someone somewhere!

In fact, if people / children lost enough weight, then we'd be able to save some on the NHS drugs cost!!

The problem with suffering from obesity from childhood is that the individual will suffer a life long battle with obesity because, and this is a proven fact, their cells that carry fat are larger and will harbour higher levels of fat. Its a fact.

"I agree to an extent that big isn't/can't be healthy, but that doesn't mean you aren't/can't be/won't be seen as beautiful when you are bigger."

I agree (this from a slim Jim). Although I do feel for the health professionals that have to lift heavy people - nurses and ambulance personnel for example.