Controversial opinion: Against “Body diversity” in social media ads

[Anonymous]

First off - I realize I am a mean and horrible person for even thinking that. Which is why I’m saying it on an anonymous board and not asking actual people on social media.

I just don’t like seeing swimsuit, underwear, and other kinds of ads that feature obese women. I know it sounds horrible but it makes me uncomfortable to see it and I just don’t like it. I understand why they do it but it just makes me uneasy. And I get it - the modeling industry sucks. Anorexic models aren’t good to look at either. I wish they would use normal people, like size 4-10.

But I keep seeing ads geared toward me, just because I am a woman ages 18-60 who wears clothes, and I try to hit hide ad by different companies and update my settings but I just can’t get around being bombarded by obese women in their underwear. One advertisement for some kind of period panties or whatever showed an obese woman with tons of cellulite spreading her legs and showing her underwear with a pad hanging out. I’m sorry, but that’s gross. I wouldn’t even see that at the beach, why do I have to be subjected to it on Facebook?

I get that people are progressive and inclusive and all about feelings and comfort, but I’m just not there yet. Seeing this makes me feel uneasy, like we’ve given up as a society to fight obesity, or that we’re so politically correct that you’re not supposed to fight it, that beauty is now the patriarchy and obesity is beauty. I wish we would stop normalizing it. It’s the opposite extreme from photoshopped or anorexic models. Advertisements should promote health instead.

Lastly, I resent the term “body diversity” in this context. Unless you are talking diverse as in athletic/curvy/thin/tall/short etc and not as in including fat to morbidly obese people. Diversity is a GOOD thing. Body weight is not the same thing as race or gender or sexual orientation. Being a person of color or gay is a characteristic and an identity and something to be proud of. Obesity is not, it’s a disease, stop glorifying it.

I’m sure I’ll get hate for saying all this, but I had to get it out of me. This is just how I feel.

[Anonymous]

Why did you have to “get it out of” you? Sounds like you don’t have much self-control.

Or grace.

[Anonymous]

I also feel lots of bad and antisocial things. I really do try to shut up though. I believe in you OP. You can learn to shut up.

[Anonymous]

People who need to "get it out" have poor self-control and no self-insight regardless the topic, so it's difficult to take you seriously.

[Anonymous]

I agree with you OP

There is a new Halo ice cream commercial with an obese woman dancing around in her underwear and it’s gross.

I am an overweight woman and yes I think I am less attractive because of it.

[Anonymous]

I don't like seeing any ads of women in bikinis or underwear, no matter what their body type is.

[Anonymous]

So maybe the ads are not "geared towards" just you? It's a big diverse complex world. You don't have to like or even relate to all of it. You can even choose to avoid quite a bit of it if it troubles you in some way.

Tangent: Reading this post really helps me to affirm my decision to avoid Facebook.

[Anonymous]

People get outraged or offended by the fashion industry, and rightly so, when they use 90 lb runway models with their protruding bones, because these girls are obviously unhealthy. So why should we be forced to accept obese models? They are equally as unhealthy.

Why can’t they use models of normal sizes? Or better yet, do away with models completely, and use computer generated images of what clothes look like in different sizes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People get outraged or offended by the fashion industry, and rightly so, when they use 90 lb runway models with their protruding bones, because these girls are obviously unhealthy. So why should we be forced to accept obese models? They are equally as unhealthy.

Why can’t they use models of normal sizes? Or better yet, do away with models completely, and use computer generated images of what clothes look like in different sizes.

A size 14 model is “equally as unhealthy” as a 90 lb anorexic model? Science disagrees.

[Anonymous]

I always get the heebie-jeebies when I see super skinny models, particularly ones with exaggerated thigh gaps. I'm like...how does that body even function? Doesn't it hurt to sit? How do you pee and poop? Where does it come from? Grosses me out. Would much rather see women with flesh.

[Anonymous]

Don’t feel bad OP. Most people would agree with you.

[Anonymous]

Hi OP,

I volunteer with young women (mostly) regarding body positivity and healthy living habits. I've been obese, overweight, normal weight, and too thin as a result of various eating disorders.

"body diversity" isn't about saying your body type is healthy or that it is something to be proud of. What it is saying is "hey. You don't look like the celebrities, models, etc but that doesn't mean you're ugly or unworthy". It is kind of a weird concept for most people to get. Body positivity isn't saying that being 300 pounds is ok, its saying "ok you're 300 pounds. But that doesn't mean you need to hide yourself from the world". I don't think that people who are grossed out or think less of overweight/obese people can really understand that concept.

For you, and many like you, you just see it is saying "300 pounds is fine. You don't need to change yourself." But that isn't what the message is.

Self loathing often goes hand in hand with being stuck in the poor habit cycle. You feel disgusted with yourself and too embarrassed to go to the gym so you don't go. You think everyone will be disgusted by you so you become depressed and stay inside and binge on food because that's how you cope with your depression. Seeing someone who is confident in themselves and looks like them is really important.

Regarding the ad with the overweight woman and a pad hanging out. Would it really have been that much less gross if it was a thin woman? Probably not. The ad itself is kind of crude.

And this doesn't just happen with overweight/obese people. It happens with naturally skinny people too. They get a different kind of reaction if anyone tries to celebrate their body types "ew gross eat a sandwich" "why bother wearing a bikini top? You look like a boy anyways"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People get outraged or offended by the fashion industry, and rightly so, when they use 90 lb runway models with their protruding bones, because these girls are obviously unhealthy. So why should we be forced to accept obese models? They are equally as unhealthy.

Why can’t they use models of normal sizes? Or better yet, do away with models completely, and use computer generated images of what clothes look like in different sizes.

A size 14 model is “equally as unhealthy” as a 90 lb anorexic model? Science disagrees.

Yes, And I say this as someone who nearly died of anorexia and knew several people who were very sick that worked in media- models, actresses, newscasters, dancers.

[Anonymous]

I hate crude or condescending advertising. A pad hanging out is just crude regardless of the body size. Ads with women dancing in their underwear eating ice cream to feel free from life feels just condescending and stupid regardless of size.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree with you OP

There is a new Halo ice cream commercial with an obese woman dancing around in her underwear and it’s gross.

I am an overweight woman and yes I think I am less attractive because of it.

I disagree. Overweight women dressed in good fitting classy outfits look really good.
Lizzo is disgusting only because she doesn't have a class and dresses inappropriately for her size/curves. Just like the skinny ones in half-a-butt shorts or a side boob dresses.
It's all about class.