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U.S. obesity rates are soaring, and it’s no wonder: Americans are surrounded by products, advertisements, and role models that condone lifestyles and eating habits that would make anybody fat. Maya Goodwin and Jocelyn Greer’s blog, PAULADEENISMS, points a finger at Paula Deen’s unhealthy teachings, but she’s not the only one setting a bad example in American culture. We’re all for embracing diversity and realistic beauty standards, but cultural icons that make “fat” the new “normal” are hurting our health just as much as airbrushed models hurt our self esteem – not much better, if you ask us.
Do you think these ten role models are setting a bad example for Americans? Are they making our country fat? Tell us what you think in the comments section, below.
I agree with the above poster and the others. The Dove model IS beautiful! And I really disagree that these icons are bad for my health. We make our own decisions. I love Jack Black. The laughter he causes could never be bad for me!
This is an Onion article, right?
To try to blame Paula Deen or anyother chef, fast food chain for causing obesity is rediculous…it all comes down to accepting responsibility for our behavior…..so many people today are looking for others to be the reason they have a problem. Unless Paula has you tied to a chair and is force feeding you, she is not the problem! We’ ve got to quit trying to pass the buck and own our behavior..
Wow. This post is disheartening. There are so many unhealthy slim body images inundating our society that to attack the few alternative examples is very misguided. Bodies come in all shapes and sizes. The BMI is bull. Beth Ditto is amazing! I agree Paula Dean is not a shining example of healthy living and cooking. However, it is our totally distorted and disturbing food system that is creating a epidemic of obesity. I know lots of young people who on the outside look “normal” but everyday put crappy food into their bodies. We need to teach the next generation to love their bodies enough to feed them good, whole food.
For most people, growing up in the south, much socializing revolved around big pot luck dinners, church socials and family gatherings. It was actually a reason to enjoy the company of others. The food in this region is absolutley fabulous. Yes, southerners use butter, and bacon grease and sugar but more often we are more interested in fresh produce ie: green beans, butter beans, collard greens, spring onions, peaches, blueberries, blackberries, etc.
No one said you MUST cook like this 24/7. It is not homecooking that makes you FAT, it is eating out, fast food, processed food and TOO much food. You can eat, even Paula’s food if you eat in moderation. Paula Dean seems to love life and loving food is an integral part therof. Enjoy food, even Paula Deans, and invite someone to a dinner you cooked.
You don’t have to be a proponent of anorexia to be horrified by Paula Dean cuisine. It’s as if she arose from the 1950s without any exposure to anything we have learned about nutrition or healthy eating since then.
I have to agree. The only one who makes you fat is yourself. And so what? When did the health and well-being of every American become the entire country’s responsibility? I mean, do you really need to care what I put in my mouth? And who or what gives others the right to tell me that I can or cannot eat something? Who gives you the right to call someone a “fat pig?” Do I call people who are health-conscious names? Every looked closely at a vegetarian? They are so pale they are scary, which means a probable lack of iron. I would use butter over the crap they try and pass off as butter or margarine these days. Did you know that even bugs won’t go near margarine? That it is 1 atom away from being PLASTIC?
Accusing Paula Dean of making people fat is totally ridiculous. Here is a woman using home grown, home made, fresh organic food to make her dishes and yet you criticize her way of life. HER way of life. She didn’t force you to make your way of life like hers.
I think people ought to mind their own business about what other people look like and eat. In this age of technology all you have to do is turn the TV off. Easy as that.
She’s a fat pig and eats everything with butter in it. “Light” is not in her vocabulary. I like to watch her show for entertainment.
WOW!!!! I am sick and tired of you people who think we should all be anorexic!!!! The Dove model is beautiful and I bet VERY healthy!!!!!! Many overweight people ARE healthy. You know, not everyone was made to be a size 2!!!!! Now, I am not saying go out and eat lots of sugar, flour and fat, but do it all in moderation!!!!! That is how I have lost 90lbs in the last 10 yrs., slowly and with healthy foods. You can modify many recipes, but to blame it on poor Paula Deen and the Dove model!!!!! Get real!!!!!!
I am the only one that can make me fat! We need to take responsibilities for our actions and not place them on others. This goes for what we put in our mouth or put a a credit card. McDonalds doesn’t make me eat their food, the stores don’t make me purchase their products on a credit card to the point that I can’t make the payments. If your fat, it’s because you did it to yourself, get off your butt and move. If you are in debt, downsize and don’t file bankruptcy. If you spill coffee on yourself when you are driving, it is your fault. Don’t text and drive, don’t eat and drive….
We have become a nation that makes everything someone else’s fault. Be responsible and be honest about it!
No one can make you fat unless they are prying open your mouth and shoveling in the food. In other words…you are responsible for your own actions!
What? Is this serious? I hardly doubt that millions of overweight Americans are influenced by these people making lemonade out of their lemon-shaped bodies. I am rather surprised at the implications of this post. Some of them are respectable for trying to discredit the anorexic and bulimic beauty standard! I admire them!
These are not the ‘icons’ that are promoting weight gain. Hell, I’m kind of surprised that you think the Dove model fits into this category (I would say she’s voluptuous). The Simpsons… I don’t really see people seeing Homer binge eating as being something people would aspire to emulate. Watching the show, he’s battling with his weight and has serious health problems in many episodes.
“Icons” you should be roasting: Ronald McDonald, for starters. Maybe some sugary cereal box mascots? The availability of fast food and Starbucks on every corner?
I, myself, am fed up with seeing super-skinney models everywhere. You know what? I am 5’5″ and weigh 130lbs. That’s healthy, right? Well because of the models, the sensationalism behind a starlet gaining or losing weight.. I eat ONCE a day. It’s not always good food, either. That’s not healthy. Do I lose or gain weight? Not really. but my mind is not healthy because of it. When I see these people embracing their weight, I feel better about myself. I feel more content and start eating healthy foods.
This is a nation OBSESSED with weight. It’s time people cut it out and enjoy the flavors that life has to offer. We need to get the cheap junk food off the shelves and make healthier foods more affordable, not publish millions of dieting books and hope that this one will be the miracle diet. It’s time for radical self-love, not self-loathing. You’ll find that once one is content and cuts out the negative (stress, toxic friends, sensationalist news media..) the pounds melt away.
This was all over the place. My apologies. But kudos for getting me riled up! That’s blogging! :)