Discrimination and EDNOS: One Woman’s Story

© Jakub Cejpek | Dreamstime.com

By Kath at Fat Heffalump My name is Kath and I suffer from an eating disorder. Officially, I have what is known as an Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Diagnosed (EDNOS). This means that I do not have Anorexia or Bulimia, but another set of behaviors that do not have a name. An unspecified eating disorder if you please. I … [Read more...]

Seeing Beauty in All: Over-40 Nudes

Elderly couple on beach

By Sharon Haywood In the summer of 2010 photographer Keith Seat gave life to the project “Seeing Beauty in All: Over-40 Nudes” based out of Washington, DC. He has compiled a wonderful array of black-and-white photos, using non-professional models over the age of 4o. (The oldest models to date are in their mid-70s). He explains … [Read more...]

Battling the Beauty Myth in Argentina

Typical Argentine mannequins found in the capital of Buenos Aires/Photo by Sharon Haywood

In March 2011, the NGO AnyBody is holding international summits around the world. The aim is to save future generations of girls from the misery that turns women against their own bodies. The challenge is to make people understand how and why this is an emergency, to show them how they can do something about it, and to inspire … [Read more...]

Mannequins Make a Statement

Argentine mannequins in Buenos Aires

Text and photos (below) by Sharon Haywood Australia has made body image news again. The latest relates to the release of size 16D (US 38D/UK 38DD) mannequins in the lingerie section of the mainstream department store Myers. Back in February, Debenhams department store in London started the movement by using size UK 16 mannequins … [Read more...]

Pop Culture’s Relentless Battle with Body Image

TV shows "Huge" and "Thintervention with Jackie Warner." Photos from ABC Family and Bravo.

By Valerie Kusler Mainstream pop culture's back-and-forth, wishy-washy affair with body image is nothing new -- but it seems to be rearing its head now more than ever. TV line-ups are springing up shows like "Huge" from ABC Family and the new fall series, "Mike & Molly" from CBS. At first glance, it's easy for mainstream … [Read more...]

“Mom, do my legs look fat in these skinny jeans”?

photo from CityPages.com

By Valerie Kusler It's no secret that "skinny jeans" have dominated the women's denim market for the past year or two. But a new trend of marketing skinny jeans to kids has caused quite a stir and concern. Many are wondering whether the trend is bad for kids', especially girls', who already have delicate body image. Will this … [Read more...]

Is TV Finally Portraying Overweight People With Depth?

NikkiBlonsky

July 11, 2010|By Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times Television Critic Recent and upcoming shows including 'Drop Dead Diva,' 'Huge' and 'Mike and Molly' buck tradition and portray overweight people as actual humans. After years of excavating their alien habits on talk shows, and of turning weight loss into the sort of blood … [Read more...]

Loving Your Body During Bathing Suit Season

© Elizabeth Patch, all rights reserved. Illustration from More to Love. Used with permission of the artist.

"My Not-So-Bikini Body" by Samantha Dunn at Glo.msn.com Illustration by Elizabeth Patch from her book, More to Love A Lesson In Confidence For Bathing Suit Season Like most people who don't spend their lives at the gym, every swimsuit season causes me some measure of unease. This year, though, was set to top all. Keith … [Read more...]

Lagerfeld Sets Aside Fat Phobia for Renn

crystalchanel

"Crystal and Karl, Sitting in a Tree" by Marjorie Ingall Belatedly, here is Crystal walking in Chanel’s resort show in San Tropez last week. She looks beautiful and fierce, mah nishtanah. There was a flurry of “OOH GROUNDBREAKING!” buzz when these pix hit the wires, given that Crystal is nominally plus-sized and Chanel … [Read more...]

Plus-Size Modeling: A Passing Trend or Here to Stay?

Plus-size model Crystal Renn (right) posing alongside straight-size model Jacquelyn Jablonski in a spread for the January 2010 issue of V Magazine  [photo from Huffington Post]

By Valerie Kusler     Has mainstream culture done a 180°? Have we honestly transitioned from Kate Moss to Crystal Renn in just over a decade, or is this just a passing fad? According to a recent Times Online article by Louise France, plus-size models that previously charged around US$150 an hour are now … [Read more...]