Did you know that the weight of female athletes is almost never published? Neither did I! I guess I never really thought about it. I've been on the NBA or NFL website countless times and noticed that the height and weight of the male athletes were routinely listed. Apparently, it has also been a regular practice that the height of female athletes is reported - but never their weight.
This debate has been raging in one form or another for some time now. It began with the sickly skinny model controversy (sickly is my term - how many models need to die over this? And the denials from fashion industry insiders have been ridiculous!)
And how about Tyra Banks "fighting back" with a People cover? Nice going, but she's been taken to task by some of her fans who point out that she "continues to cash in on an industry that perpetuates unrealistic and unhealthy body weights."
When Serena Williams took a hit about her listed weight at the Australian Open (135 lbs - pretty small for a woman that is 5'10") I took notice because of the old adage "muscle weighs more than fat." Like many women, I have gone up and down (and down and up!) in dress size - and most people are off by a good twenty pounds or so when I make them guess my weight.
As long as the same tabloid media that believe Jennifer Lopez invented having an ass marvel at women who look like Jennifer Hudson and America Ferrera on the red carpet, we won't have an honest debate about this.
So, tell me. What is "thick" and what is "fat" to you?
Big Girls Don't Cry
* 'Norbit' belongs in the stereotype hall of fame.
* Fashion Advice: The Booty Gap.
Watch and Listen
*Shoptalk Podcast with The Budget Fashionista.
* Real Women and "The Fat Girl's Guide to Life via NPR's News & Notes with Farai Chideya.
55 Secret Street
* $55 and Under: Kiyonna and IGIGI.
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