Fat is Phat?

What role should media play in telling us we're fat? What affect do they have on our countries obesity? Not just how much we weigh, but how we look at weight itself. Is it possible that they are the ones convincing us to lose weight, or maybe they are showing that it is okay being obese.

Oprah, Kirstie, Tyra: just a few women who have publicly dealt with obesity. Because they are public figures, we are more prone to notice their weight gain, and either encourage them to "be themselves", or criticize them for being fat.

I guess sometimes I wonder if having figures like Oprah come out and say, ya know what, fat is phat: it's okay to be who you are and not worry about how more quickly you're dying because of your fat: just love yourself, jiggly and all. Is that simply a cover up because she can't lose the weight, so she has to act like she loves it? Regardless, I think that not only her view, but all public figures' views on obesity have an affect on our society, and the larger we get, the more accepting of it we are. Should we be? Should we be encouraging an unhealthy society in order to deal with the emotional problems that come from obesity?

I am by no means encouraging eating disorders or starvation, but rather healthy steps that can be taken to lose those extra pounds and live a longer, healthier, more stress-free life.