Opinion: Overweight models are not healthy

Student+opinion+contributor+Chase+Yaniello.

Phot by Kerry Naylor

Student opinion contributor Chase Yaniello.

When society features models who are overweight on magazine covers and other areas of the media, I think it has a negative effect on society. I think this because when people see these models, they’re learning that it’s ok to be obese, it is harmful to the models because they get praise for being unhealthy, and our future generations will look up to these models.

I know that sounds harsh, but it’s not. Being fat is not healthy. I know some people are born bigger, but being obese is a choice. When people always see these models all over the media, they will think to themselves that they don’t need to try anymore, and that it’s ok to be fat. Showing really unhealthy, skinny models is also not the move. This shows society that they should starve themselves just to fit into the beauty standard. But back to the main point, when our society sees these plus size models, they can easily start eating unhealthy foods and stop working out to feel like they fit the beauty standard. 

This is also harmful for the models. They are getting praise for being fat and it’s getting normalized. It’s teaching them that they shouldn’t work out or eat right because society tells them that they don’t need to change. It’s not just plus size models that are a problem, it’s the underweight, anorexic models too. Also it teaches the models to stay like that too. As plus size models get praise for being bigger, underweight models also get praise for being super skinny. Society gives them modeling jobs and money to model their weight. Obviously they’re going to stay unhealthy for the money and recognition. 

Our future generations will also learn from this. The kids will see pictures online and in the stores of all of these plus size models. They will think that being bigger is the new beauty standard. The kids will look up to these models just like we look up to the current models. They will listen to the media just like we listen to the media now. 

In conclusion, when society features models who are overweight on magazine covers and other areas of the media, I think it has a negative effect on society. I think this because when people see these models they’re learning that it’s ok to be obese, it is harmful to the models because they get praise for being unhealthy, and our future generations will look up to these models.