[Jules]

I hate to be the only one to take the other side, but I'm going to. I think these women are a positive influence on society. I don't think they so much stand for "Obesity is great" as much as they present a different viewpoint that "People don't have to be Kate Moss thin to be beautiful". I think this is only appropriate when reactionary to people such as described in the "attitudes" topic who say awful things about fat people and those catty people we all know who sit in gyms and judge people on their looks.

I admire the confidence these women have in themselves, whatever their size. Young girls need role models who are happy with themselves no matter what their weight rather than role models who go in for lipo and plastic surgery every week and teach girls that looks are everything. Obesity isn't healthy, but nor is the constant pressure to be a stick figure with plastic augmentations.