September 14, 2007

Are these women really fat?

By SUSAN GILL
The Press-Enterprise

Society loves watching a celebrity fall from a pedestal. Seeing someone self-destruct on TV or online is considered more fascinating than watching a train derailment.

Britney Spears took the stage at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards for what was supposed to be her big comeback performance. She appeared unmotivated as she sleepily went through the dance motions and poorly lip-synced her new single.

Her behavior spawned jokes and discussions in almost every media outlet. The discussions, however, are not entirely focused on her performance; they are about her weight.

On the blogosphere, harsh words about Spears' weight gain flow freely:

"Let's see you eat two dozen doughnuts and then dance around."

"Britney should give up on trying to look sexy and just embrace her new image of 'beached whale.' "

The comments continue and can be likened to schoolyard taunting.

Some experts say that weight is not Spears' biggest problem, considering her bizarre behavior in the past year. In examining her weight/height ratio, she would not necessarily be considered overweight. But she does not look like her chiseled counterpart from the VMAs just a few years ago, which creates a startling contrast to her current physique.

The question remains: Why are we still concerned with having the perfect body?

Laura Triplett, assistant professor in the department of communications at Cal State Fullerton, has conducted research on the topic of media influence on societal body image.

"Personality and other dispositional characteristics -- including values and morals -- are commonly determined based solely on a woman's weight," Triplett said. "For example, an overweight woman is often thought of as being low-class, lazy and unpopular, while a thin woman is often thought of as being high-class, ambitious and admirable."

"Britney's paunchy midsection flies in the face of what society expects its women to look like," she added.

Beauty and body image appear to be higher priorities in Hollywood than talent, said Candace Baker, personal counselor at Centennial High School in Corona. She works with teens and adolescent challenges.

Baker said that images of ideal bodies are beginning to improve. Women like Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez and a few others who are curvier and not superslim have begun serving as role models for kids. But people are still drawn to lean bodies as the ideal.

Triplett said that unattainable body images perpetuated by media are no longer the problem. Society has normalized the unrealistic expectations, and women live in a perpetual state of discontent about their bodies. Mass media have presented these as ideals, but as a society, we have embraced them as the norm, she said.

How do you know if you're at a healthy weight? Triplett said the number on the bathroom scale is relatively meaningless.

"Lean body mass can be determined using simple body measurements and a mathematical formula," she said. "Another common measurement is the body mass index. BMI uses height and weight to categorize people from underweight to morbidly obese."

Baker and Triplett agree that positive influence from parents is key to helping children and young adults have more realistic views of ideal weight and body image. Triplett recommends limiting direct media exposure by turning off the television, limiting the number of fashion magazines children are seeing in the home, monitoring online content and being aware of any bullying children may be enduring.

Baker said it's important for parents to compliment their children and also praise them for their talents and accomplishments, not just their physical appearance. Triplett says parents should model good behavior and positive body images. Children will mirror what they see from their parents, so it is important to be good role models.

Spears' BMI would probably be in the normal weight category.

"I think Britney's body looks great for having two kids back to back within the past 2 ½ years," Baker said. "I don't feel she's overweight. I do feel that she needs a ... ticket from the fashion police for the outfit she was wearing at the VMAs."

Up and down the scale

Celebs fighting the weight (or lack-thereof) rumors

Nicole Richie: One of the skinniest "IT" girls, she has since been brought up to a healthier weight, thanks to pregnancy

Keira Knightley: Continually denies claims of anorexia

Angelina Jolie: Lost more weight following her mother's death

Ben Affleck: Weight seems to be highly fluctuating between scary skinny and pleasantly plump

George Clooney: Some critics call it "manorexia," but he says his gains and losses are for movie roles only

Kelly Clarkson: First winner of "American Idol" had her size criticized as she began her first tour; her response, "I'm happy with how I look"

Tyra Banks: Former supermodel has been ragged for losing her chiseled model physique; she says she embraces her body, no matter what it looks like

Kirstie Alley: "Cheers" star gained weight after a divorce and publicly lost it with Jenny Craig

Janet Jackson: Her dramatic weight gain and loss seem to coincide with stressful life situations