Minuses of plus size: Are we glorifying obesity?

The growing popularity of models weighing over 120kg has sparked the debate if they are healthy enough to be elevated as icons.

Close on the heels of the controversy over size-zero fashion models, being fat and happy seems to be the latest issue to have hit the global fashion arena. With the popularity of US model Tess Holliday on social networking sites and magazines opting for overweight models — the question arises if this is really all about healthy body image? While some online sites deem the size 22 measuring Holliday as the icon for healthy body image, many others accuse the trend of propagating obesity and an unhealthy lifestyle.

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Plus-sized model Mia Tyler from the US, daughter of singer Steven Tyler, has shot with leading international fashion magazines and struts the catwalk for designers.

US Model Nancy Upton shot to fame when despite winning an American fashion brand’s plus-sized modelling contest, she was rejected by the brand on the ground that plus-size apparel is "not our demographic."

Fitness and nutrition experts are also divided on the issue. While some welcome it as a healthy change from anorexia-bulimia inducing size zero trend, others accuse it of bringing on a host of diseases such as heart troubles, and diabetes.

"Everyone has an ideal weight in accordance with their height, lifestyle and Body Mass Index. Propagating either of the extremes, whether a size 0 or a size 14, is wrong," says fitness coach and nutritionist Sonia Bajaj. On the other hand, celebrity trainer Kris Gethin encourages the trend, "Many people just want to be size zero after seeing models in the media. They starve themselves or become bulimic. In comparison, plus size is healthier as it represents the versatility of the population."

US model Nancy Upton shot to fame when despite winning an American fashion brand's plus-sized modelling contest, she was rejected by the brand on the ground that plus-sized apparel is "not our demographic".

So, what is the ideal size? Wellness expert Vesna Jacob says, "The majority of women are neither size zero nor size 22. Beauty icons in the 40s and 50s such as Marilyn Monroe and Betty Brosmer can be the models for a healthy body image." However, she adds, "It is not fair to pass judgement based on appearance. There are many naturally skinny women or plus-sized women who live a healthy lifestyle."