Centuries later, in 2024, full-figured women are now showing the world there isn’t a weight limit to twirling on your toes. Through brilliant routines and roaring audiences, these amazing ladies do it effortlessly — one bow and a standing ovation at a time.

Plus Size Ballerinas Do Exist & Here They Are

Colleen Conklin

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Colleen Conklin, LPC-MHSP | Nashville (@colleenmwerner)

Colleen Conklin (formerly Werner) is a professional dancer and licensed mental health therapist in Nashville, Tennessee. According to a 2017 interview with NEDA (National Eating Disorders Association), the self-love advocate began dancing at the tender age of 3. Per Dance Magazine, by the time Conklin hit early-to-mid adolescence, she developed body-image issues and forced herself to diet, which led to a full-blown eating disorder diagnosis at 16. 

“Dance can be a great tool for moving through anxiety and depression, but it can also be harmful because it isn’t a space that represents different kinds of bodies,” she told the outlet in 2021. In 2017, Conklin created a hashtag called #BopoBallerina (Body Positive Ballerina) on Instagram, amassing thousands of followers as the online initiative spread like wildfire. She has since cultivated a safe space for those ashamed of not fitting into society’s “conventional” beauty standards.

Lizzy Howell

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Lizzy Howell (@lizzy.dances)

Dance influencer Lizzy Howell gained worldwide popularity after going viral in 2017. The sudden internet fame came through a video of Howell virtually displaying her ballerina skills. The then 15-year-old explained to PEOPLE magazine that she’d been dancing since age 5 and the art had always brought her an intense feeling of joy.

Having been diagnosed with pseudotumor cerebri (a rare brain condition that causes increased pressure in the skull) in her freshman year of high school, Howell’s story is a true testament to never giving up on yourself. Since then, she’s obtained over 600,000 followers on Instagram, 200,000 subscribers on YouTube, and a massive following of 1.8 million on TikTok.

Júlia Del Bianco

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Júlia Del Bianco| Ballet| Plus (@judelbi)

Brazilian dancer/model Júlia Del Bianco is an illustrious ballerina with 30+ years of experience in the art. She began growing her expertise at age 3 and ultimately graduated from the University of Campinas in São Paulo, Brazil with a degree in dance.

Per an interview with Bright Side, she gushed about how she felt she was born to do dance. “I’ve always danced and wanted to dance,” she told the media site. “I don’t remember consciously choosing ballet or even thinking about becoming a dancer because, for me, it was sort of the obvious thing to do.”

Now an instructor, Bianco is dancing by her own rules, and we love every minute of it.

Janaina Binhardi

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Jana e sua Paixão! (@janaesuapaixao)

Janaina Binhardi is a skilled dancer and rising influencer based in Brazil. Through her content, the plus size artist documents her weekly warm-ups as a ballerina and how she so beautifully dominates the studio floor — every step of the way.

Binhardi started ballet at 6 years old but stopped shortly after. According to her social media, at 11, she took jazz and belly dancing classes until she turned 13. After spending three years doing jazz music (from 21 to 24), she decided to finally take ballet seriously at 27. Since then, she hasn’t let up on fulfilling her lifelong dream.

Freje Randall

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Freje Jernise (@freje.jernisee)

Texas ballerina Freje Randall rose to prominence in 2020 after having the grand opportunity to perform with Lizzo at that year’s GRAMMY ceremony. Per an interview with Houston Life, she cited that Lizzo’s team loved her so much that they asked if she could fly to California and the rest was history.

Randall (who, at the time, was a student of Joffrey Ballet School in New York) began ballet at a young age, but started training professionally at Fort Bend Academy of Dance and Ballet Forte. “I’ve always felt isolated in classes. Simply because my skin is so much darker than everybody else’s, and my body is completely different,” she said on The Kelly Clarkson Show. “I have curves, and ballet is a very stereotypical form of dance. I knew when I didn’t get into certain companies that I auditioned for, it was because of that.”

Now referring to herself as “Thee Stallion BALLER-ina,” the Delta Sigma Theta member has garnered nearly 100,000 followers on Instagram and over 150,000 on TikTok.

Which of these plus size ballerinas did you know? Share below!

This article, #BodyPositiveMovement: 5 Plus Size Ballerinas Who’ve Danced Their Way to the Top first appeared on The Curvy Fashionista and is written by Ashley Blackwell.

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Garrett’s semi-final victory led her to the forefront of most Miss Universe conversations, with many raving and even ranting about her revolutionary walk. However, while her celebratory sash may have been a debate piece for others, it marked an internal accomplishment for the once-aspiring participant.

Garrett achieved a longtime goal that impacted the world and the adolescent Jane, who fawned over the idea of gaining a spot on the glamorous runway.

Let’s get to know more about the Gen Z-er below.

Who Is Jane Dipika Garrett? How Her Miss Universe Journey Began

Born in the United States and raised in Nepal, Garrett’s grand entrance came in October 2000 to a Nepali mother and an American father. According to reports, her father is from Pennsylvania, but when she was 10, the family packed up from the States and relocated to her mother’s homeland, Nepal.

In a personal essay published in Business Insider, Garrett recalled discovering the Miss Universe pageant in 2012, when she watched model/actress Olivia Culpo take home the winning title. If you didn’t know, Miss Universe is a prestigious beauty organization where potential queens from different countries battle for the legendary crown. Founded by clothing manufacturer Pacific Knitting Mills, the global contest officially commenced in 1952.

“I was like, ‘I want to be on that stage. I’d love to do that,'” Garrett wrote of Culpo’s triumph. “That moment really, really inspired me.”

Unfortunately, she soon lost sight of that desire due to mental health issues, and at the tender age of 16, Garrett experienced a bout with self-harm. “I dealt with a lot of bullying, depression, and anxiety as a child. For a while, that dream just kind of faded into the background,” she continued.

Garrett starved herself until she was eventually diagnosed with anorexia. Additionally, she suffered a hormone imbalance but didn’t find out until later in life that she had PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) and Borderline Personality Disorder after gaining 30 pounds.

“I always had irregular periods, mood swings, depression, a lot of body hair, and I would gain weight very easily,” Garrett explained. “It made me feel insecure about myself. I would compare myself to other girls and feel like I wasn’t skinny enough.”

For the rising star, the Miss Universe pageant was a Godsend, as she recounted being on the verge of ending her life before signing up for the competition. She added, “I didn’t think I would win [Miss Universe Nepal], I just joined to gain experience and confidence. I embraced myself, and I was there for a purpose–to represent real-size beauty.”

It’s safe to say… Garrett did just that.

“Top 20 baby! I’m grateful to all my fans and people who supported me. I gave my best, and that’s what matters!” she gushed in an Instagram post about her time with the MU team. “I’m so proud to be representing real-size beauty pageants. So proud of the new Miss Universe [Sheynnis Palacios] and will forever cherish this season of my life that was life-changing!”

What Is Jane Dipika Garrett Doing Now?

Following her recognition as Miss Universe Nepal 2023, Garrett has continued growing her body positivity presence online. With over 300,000 followers on Instagram, 43,000 supporters on Facebook, and an account with 250,000+ on TikTok, the young lady’s lifestyle content brand is thriving!

Currently, Jane Dipika Garrett also runs her YouTube channel, where she records vlogs of her day-to-day and motivational videos for her subscribers. Aside from content creation, she’s the co-founder of JYNXX Restro and Bar in Kathmandu, Nepal and Undaunted Wears and a nurse. In April, she was announced as one of the judges for Miss P&I India 2024.

Despite the negativity, Garrett prides herself on overcoming stereotypes and uses her platform to spread awareness about women’s health and esteem-building.

“What about being fit? No one is speaking about health. Being overweight impacts health tremendously,” a commenter rudely dropped under one of her Instagram photos. “Let’s not normalize habits that over time will greatly lower the quality of our lives.”

But… the love definitely has outshined the hate. One of Garrett’s admirers bragged under the same image, “I love you, and thank you for representing plus size girls for us. Now I need my own crown, too.”

It’s great to see that this gorgeous woman’s wishes are still coming true.

Drop your congratulations on Garrett’s success below!

This article, Who Is Jane Dipika Garrett? A Brief Introduction to Miss Universe Nepal 2023 first appeared on The Curvy Fashionista and is written by Ashley Blackwell.

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With a core message of image acceptance, the National American Miss program focuses on confidence-building, real-world skills, and empowering mentorship for young girls/ladies ages 4 to 24.

Not too long after her controversial win, the committee wrote of their experience working with Milliken, “For decades, National American Miss ‘NAM’ has proudly celebrated all young women. This year in Alabama, Sara captivated the selection panel with her clear communication, poise on state, and extensive community service. Her message of body positivity and emphasis on never giving up on your goals is inspiring.”

Who Is Sara Milliken — All About Her Newfound Fame

At the tender age of 15, the Atmore, Alabama native received an open call letter from National American Miss and knew instantly that it was something she wanted to try out for. However, after two failed attempts, a defeated Milliken could only wonder if the third time would be a charm–and it was. The self-love activist was promoted to ‘Top 5’ before eventually earning the 2024 crown.

“I hope that [potential contestants will] learn that… no matter what your body looks like, no matter where you come from, you can do anything that you set your mind to,” she told WKRG. “I didn’t think that it was possible for a plus size girl to win. I didn’t think it was possible for a girl from small-town Alabama to win.”

According to Milliken, this time around, she spent a long 365 days preparing for the honorable competition. So, to make it as far as she did was a mind-blower for the Southern Belle.

She wrote in an Instagram post, “I blacked out after top 10. I had never placed before at a NAM state pageant. All the emotions because I knew no matter what happened I was better than my last performance. Somewhere between Top 10 and Top 5 and outgoing queen had ‘A Moment like This’ as her farewell song and it hit me. I truly had waited a lifetime for this moment.”

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A post shared by Sara Milliken (@thenamalmiss)

The Controversy Behind Sara Milliken’s Barrier-Breaking Win

Following Milliken’s victory, naysayers accused the National American Miss of “celebrating obesity.” The backlash came after the mental health advocate’s interview aired on WKRG and fellow publications picked up the groundbreaking story. 

“The pageant called Milliken a ‘trailblazer’ and a ‘gorgeous legend’ after her crowning. If we are to be honest, we all know that Milliken is neither a pioneer nor an innovator,” writer Gillian Thorp cruelly penned in an article on Medium. “When a significant portion of our population is obese, you can’t call someone a trailblazer for merely existing in that state.”

“Let’s be honest with ourselves,” Facebook critic Scott Eckles dropped in WKRG’s comment section. “She’s extremely unhealthy and this is a slap in the face to the young girls who have worked hard and maintained a diet to actually be a beauty queen.” 

Despite the odds against her, the rising model continues to flourish. Although the disgusting remarks bothered Milliken initially, she didn’t let them for long. 

What Is the NAM Queen Doing Now?

Milliken’s viral sit-down with the outlet reportedly garnered over 2,000 followers (collectively) and brought in a slew of sponsorship offers for NAM’s national pageant in Orlando later this year. It appears that she’s now gearing up for that, which is set to take place during Thanksgiving week.

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A post shared by Sara Milliken (@thenamalmiss)

Additionally, Milliken has rebranded her podcast, formerly titled Girls Gotta Glow, under a new name: Watch Me Org. The premise of the digital production will be “promoting body positivity and self-expression,” the Instagram bio reads.

She also runs an initiative in support of elders with cognitive disorders called The Buddy System.

Who is Sara Milliken to you? Drop your thoughts on this beautiful star’s triumph below!

This article, Who Is Sara Milliken? Learn All About the 2024 National American Miss Alabama! first appeared on The Curvy Fashionista and is written by Ashley Blackwell.

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Your bedroom business should feel less like a workout and more like a fun alternative. Voluptuous girlies can go beyond old-fashioned missionary. Focus on fulfilling your fantasies in a way that allows bigger bodies not to feel restricted… or, worse, discouraged. Sexual insecurities are a real thing in the full-figured community. Something as simple as undressing in front of an individual for the first time can be scary.

Here are suggestions to ensure you receive the pleasure you deserve.

Sex Tips for Plus Size Women Who Want the Most Out of “Doing the Do”

Don’t Be Afraid to Be Open with Your Partner

Rule #1 — Drop the embarrassment. It’s easy to let your fears take over, especially if this is your first encounter with the person. However, conversing with him before the session could eliminate unnecessary stressors. Don’t overthink it! Let him know what works for you and what doesn’t, without shame.

Discussing what he’s into will give you an idea of how to show up in the sheets effectively but comfortably. Choosing a supportive lover who won’t mind listening and learning is also a priority. After all, having someone to offer safety and security in this setting helps to keep the nerves at bay.

Remix the Positions

Approaching traditional sex positions with a twist can aid in confidence-building in the bedroom. According to dating coach Abiola Abrams, utilizing techniques such as using countertops or implementing pillows could strengthen your and your mate’s orgasmic peak during love-making, she said in an Essence advice column.

“Sitting up on the kitchen counter will give you great balance and control. Then your man can enter you from the front. If he needs access assistance, there is nothing wrong with him standing on a small stool,” she advises. “You’re then able to have fun with no concerns about him or you holding up your weight.”

Additionally, Abrams mentioned lying on your side with one leg propped on the male’s shoulder for support OR straddling him on the edge of the bed near the headboard for a crutch to stay afloat. However, she didn’t rule out missionary completely. The sexpert feels there are other methods to try out for the position.

“Try using a pillow or two under your butt to change how your bodies interact. This will give an average size man more access and perhaps give you a little more thrusting power as well,” Abrams wrote. “He’s more likely to have clitoral contact and hit your g-spot this way, and my coaching clients report that this position also keeps a bountiful belly out of the way.”

Leave the Lights On

NEWSFLASH, SIS! They knew you had “more” to handle from the start. That’s why they have two hands. FREE THE FUPA, and LEAVE THE LIGHTS ON! You may not notice it, but each time you decide to hit the switch, you’re subconsciously holding back. You can’t reach your fullest potential or have a satisfying release in spaces where you’re uncomfortable.

According to an Australian study from a 2016 Weight Watchers campaign, 52% of Australian women involved in the research confessed to leaving the lights off during sex due to body-image issues, with only 28% making of the ones who don’t.

Those numbers have likely increased today.

Wear the Lingerie

Contrary to popular belief, there are still those who prefer the mystery of what’s behind the fabric, if you get our drift. Not only that but investing in some fancy lingerie keeps the sexiness alive. On you and in the atmosphere. Put on a nice laced-outfit and admire yourself in the mirror before you and your partner get things popping. Affirm yourself. Embrace yourself. And remind yourself that you’re worthy of feeling and being desired, too.

Let Them Watch

It’s always erotic to let your partner sit back and “enjoy the show.” Buy that new sex toy you’ve been wanting to test out and bring it along in the bedroom. As someone with a heftier frame, switching positions can be tiresome. If you need a breather but don’t want it to be as obvious, take a break with your vibrator and let your partner have a front-row seat to the view. They definitely won’t mind.

Which of these sex tips for plus size women was most helpful? Comment below!

This article, 5 Sex Tips for Plus Size Women That Will Make Your Bedroom Lifestyle More Pleasurable first appeared on The Curvy Fashionista and is written by Ashley Blackwell.

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Social media comments have become discussion boards for body positivity, with virtual fist pumps and sympathy posts flooding the timelines as soft acts of allyship. However, the slightest attempt at addressing weight oppression that doesn’t fit inside the perimeters of society’s comfortability goes ignored. So, to help larger individuals combat these biases, here are a few helpful tips on managing size discrimination. 

What Is Size Discrimination?

Also known as “sizism,” size discrimination is prejudice treatment of someone based on their size. While the shaming of smaller body types is very well a thing (as well as height, which also falls under the sizism umbrella), those on the bigger scale are mostly affected by the term. According to a study by SHRM, “obese employees are more likely to be perceived as lazy (27%), unmotivated (23%) and unprofessional (17%).“

NAAFA, a fat rights organization dedicated to protecting the rights and improving the quality of life for fat people, shared in their recent campaign, Campaign for Size Freedom, cofounded with Flare and supported by Dove, that “all bodies deserve care, love and respect. We want to be compensated fairly for our work, receive high-quality medical care, and be welcomed in all public spaces. For people of larger size, that is not the current reality. Very few laws exist that specifically outlaw discrimination based on body size. In 2019 alone, body size discrimination harmed 34 million Americans.”

This is a serious matter…

What Are Ways to Deal with Size Discrimination at Work?

Recognize What You’re Up Against

From stereotyping to stigmatizing, here are a few examples of what it could look like in the workplace:

• Assuming that an overweight person can’t perform tasks effectively (ie: choosing someone to do it because they’re thinner, being overlooked, nitpicky critiques)
• Unwarranted opinions on one’s appearance (ie: “I really think you should try this new diet plan!” or “Did you gain weight?”)
• Awkwardness or even judgment when requesting obesity-friendly necessities (ie: workstations, chairs)
• Division among colleagues (ie: making a difference in how they interact with the person versus others, fatphobic remarks)
• Bias rules/regulations that are only in favor of those not on the fat spectrum (ie: certain stipulations that would purposely prohibit the person from getting the position)

Talk About It

You’re in the break room, and the new hire has just said something completely out of line. Letting it slide could allow the shenanigans to continue and worsen the situation in the future. Speaking up for yourself can be done in a non-combative but firm tone.

Approaching it head-on and setting an expectation for respect is essential. Don’t be afraid to say, “Hey, Marla. I don’t appreciate how you spoke to me. I’d like us to get a clearer understanding so that it won’t transpire again,” or “James I believe that kindness should be reciprocated. For the sake of professionalism and the betterment of us both, let’s keep things cordial. Thank you.”

Stick to your standards, but always be mindful of your environment.

Educate Your Professional Circle

Poor labor conditions could weigh on your mental health. Before it gets to that point, enlighten your work crew on your feelings and why they’re valid. Calling a meeting with the staff to voice your concerns and explain what’s bothering you could make a huge impact. You don’t have to be rude or condescending — informative is key. Sometimes, hard talks are vital for progression.

Make Time to Go to HR

If nothing changes after you’ve brought your problems to the management team and your floor mates, go to the next chain of command: human resources. The cold truth is that every supervisor won’t prioritize the needs of their workers, and fellow employees won’t always care if it isn’t happening directly to them.

Keep a record of all harassment and present it to the department. Additionally, state your requirements to remain a part of the company and encourage policies. Failure to receive assurance from HR may result in having to make the tough decision to seek work elsewhere, but that’s OK.

Now, while organizations such as NAAFA are fighting for Size Discrimination and helping to champion putting these laws on the books, we still have a ways to go. Just last year, the New York City Council passed legislation to outlaw size discrimination in NYC in employment, housing, and public accommodation. Mayor Eric Adams signed the bill into law that went into effect November 26, 2023.

How are you navigating this issue? What are other ways to deal with size discrimination at work that have worked for you? Is this something that you have experienced or thought you had, without knowing it?

Were these tips on dealing with size discrimination at work beneficial? Let us know below!

This article, 5 Helpful Ways to Deal with Size Discrimination at Work & Stand Up for Yourself first appeared on The Curvy Fashionista and is written by Ashley Blackwell.

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Why Debunk Plus Size Pregnancy Myths?

Researchers Erin Basinger and Margaret Quinlan took a look at fat shaming in maternity care and found that 77.2% of the memorable messages fat people received before, during, and after pregnancy were negative. There were three core negative messages found through their analysis: 

1. Body size is the primary reason for infertility
2. Weight loss will lead to a successful pregnancy
3. Refusal of care

Facing negative, incorrect, and oftentimes unsolicited commentary about your body and pregnancy is a surefire way to drive stress levels up and negatively impact your experience. Christine Dunkel Schetter and Lynlee Tanner’s research review shows medical professionals agree– stress, anxiety, and depression are not good for a pregnancy. 

So, we found 5 of the most outrageous plus size pregnancy myths, and debunked them because you deserve to have a happy, stress-free experience.

5 Plus Size Pregnancy Myths Debunked 

Myth #1: People with a high body mass index (BMI) can’t get pregnant

Let’s start with the fact that BMI is deeply flawed. It assumes fat people are automatically unhealthy, which is objectively incorrect. A better indication of whether you will have some sort of fertility complication is your medical history and pre-existing conditions rather than just weight. Many different things cause infertility, and 1 in 4 couples can’t identify the specific reason why. 

Nicola Salmon, who goes by @fatpositivefertility on social media, shared in my frustration about this myth saying, “There has been no biological mechanism proven to explain this idea and there are so many fat folks that get pregnant really easily. If this were a fat person problem, why doesn’t it happen to all fat people?”

She continues, “What CAN happen is the stigma that fat people experience leads to both an increase in their stress levels and a decrease in access to care. An increase in stress levels can increase stress hormones, impacting reproductive hormones and increasing inflammation.
Combining the additional stress with decreased access to care means potential issues may not be diagnosed or treated until much later, if at all. There are so many BMI barriers placed on fertility care that it can become a stressor in itself to be able to access the care that you might need.”

Myth #2: You Cannot Have A “Typical Vaginal Birth” Over A Certain Weight

We asked Salmon to tell us the weirdest myth she has come across regarding plus size pregnancy, and she said, “The weirdest myth I’ve heard is that fat people can’t have unassisted births because they have fat vaginas and the babies can’t get out. I wish I was joking! Fat people have been having babies for millennia and will continue to have boring and ordinary pregnancies and births without intervention if that’s what they choose.”

The American College of Gynecology (ACOG) claims that overweight individuals have longer labors and it can be harder to monitor the fetus during labor. For these reasons, there is an increase in having a cesarean section (c-section) birth if you are plus size. 

While studies do show longer labor at a higher weight, the increase is small; approximately 1.5hrs. This also brings up the question- how can we expect it to be easy to monitor plus size folks while pregnant when the monitors are not made for plus size bodies? 

External fetal monitors typically don’t work as well on plus size bodies. Because of your belly shape, it may be harder to position. Wireless monitors like the Novii Wireless Path System tend to work better because they WERE designed with plus size bodies in mind. The issue is they aren’t available at all facilities.

Myth #3: You Are Automatically Considered High-Risk If You Are Plus Size

In spite of what some health care providers think, plus size pregnancy does not automatically mean you will experience complications. Often, increased pregnancy risks are associated with other conditions and diseases like gestational diabetes (GD), hypertension, and preeclampsia.

Salmon shared numbers with us to help put some of the information in context. “For example, approximately 2% of folks with a BMI of 19-25 get diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes. About 10% of folks in the highest BMI bracket are diagnosed. That means 90% of those in the highest BMI bracket DON’T get it.”

Nicola explains, “It’s important to be aware of the chance of complications occurring during pregnancy but an automatic label of “high-risk” is both inaccurate and harmful. Who decides what high-risk even means? The research around the increased incidence of complications based on BMI is not conclusive, but even if we take the worst case scenario data, the way that the majority of providers talk about risk is fear mongering. Take for example gestational diabetes- approximately 2% of folks with a BMI of 19-25 get diagnosed with GD, folks in the highest BMI bracket are at about 10%, which means that 90% of those in the highest BMI bracket DON’T get it.”

These complications are risks for patients of all sizes, including those of an ‘ideal’ weight. There are things you can do to reduce those risks without being required to lose weight. Just adding exercise, like taking walks, and reducing processed foods can help lower your risks.

Nicola continues, “It’s important to be aware of the chance of complications occurring during pregnancy, but an automatic label of “high-risk” is both inaccurate and harmful. Who decides what high-risk even means? The research around the increased incidence of complications based on BMI is not conclusive, but even if we take the worst case scenario data, the way that the majority of providers talk about risk is fear mongering.”

Myth #4: You Can Give Birth Anywhere

We recommend checking with your team at the facility you want to give birth at, whether it’s the hospital, birthing center, or even your midwifery support staff. Some providers and hospitals will tell you they have a BMI cut-off for labor and delivery. 

Myth #5: You Won’t Look Pregnant If You’re Already Fat

Plus size pregnancy can bring up a lot of issues surrounding body image. Some plus size folks end up having a perfectly rounded out “D” shaped belly, while others will not experience that and have a “B” shaped belly instead. 

Because there is so little representation of what fat bodies look like while pregnant, it is possible that some people in your life may not notice your pregnant belly. This can be harmful when a co-worker makes a comment like “oh my gosh, you’re pregnant? I had no idea!” while you’re discussing your plans for a C-section because your baby is breech. 

This also causes a lot of women to not fully embrace their plus size pregnant body, avoiding all photographs. Maternity photos have become such a growing trend over the last decade and many plus size women regret not taking photos of their pregnancy. So if there’s one recommendation we have for you during your pregnancy journey, it is to TAKE THE PICTURES!!!

Plus size pregnancy myths are just that– myths

A study by Erin Basinger, Margaret Quinlan, and Audrey Curry analyzed survey responses from fat individuals who have tried to conceive, have been pregnant, or had a child. “The two most prevalent pieces of advice were to trust yourself and your body and find an inclusive provider. Based on our results, we suggest finding fat-affirming and inclusive providers, seeking nourishment rather than a restrictive diet, engaging in joyful movement, and connecting with a community of other fat individuals.”

Find a provider and birthing facility that works for you, your baby, and your body. Salmon suggests crowdsourcing for recommendations in order to find fat positive medical providers for your pregnancy. Ask your fat friends! There are also a few fat-positive communities and resources like Size Friendly Directory (fat-friendly doulas) or Fat and Pregnant (a Facebook-based support group). If you aren’t able to find one using those resources, asking a few questions from a local OB/GYN’s office such as:

• Do you routinely recommend weight loss to patients?
• Do you have any specific BMI-related policies within your practice?
• How do you screen for eating disorders?
• Do you routinely weigh clients?

This is a good way to get an indication of how they treat their plus size patients. 

We hope in the future, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists (ACOG) will update their guidelines for plus size pregnancy based on more current research. The AMA’s recommendation that physicians not use BMI as a sole indicator of health is a step in the right direction, but there is still so far for us to go to receive equitable, evidence-based care. 

A plus size body doesn’t automatically equal an unhealthy pregnancy and if your provider makes you feel unsupported or shamed, you have every right to find a new one. And if you’re already in the market, check out our recommendations about how to find a fat-friendly doctor.

This article, 5 Plus Size Pregnancy Myths To Watch Out For When You’re Expecting first appeared on The Curvy Fashionista and is written by mightymurphin.

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We know that fat people are treated differently, not provided with evidence-based care, fatally misdiagnosed, unable to donate their bodies to science, denied access to certain medical treatments, and prescribed weight-loss as a cure-all based on solely their weight and BMI. This policy change by the AMA happened in June and is finally a step in the right direction for the medical field. 

A new policy was adopted by the AMA recognizing the issues with BMI because of the historical harm of this measure including its racial bias, which we will discuss shortly. The policy also states there are limits to what the BMI takes into account and it should NOT be used as a sole criterion of denial by insurance companies. 

The report by the AMA Council on Science and Public Health states, “Numerous comorbidities, lifestyle issues, gender, ethnicities, medically significant familial-determined mortality effectors, duration of time one spends in certain BMI categories and the expected accumulation of fat with aging are likely to significantly affect interpretation of BMI data, particularly in regard to morbidity and mortality rates. Further, the use of BMI is problematic when used to diagnose and treat individuals with eating disorders because it does not capture the full range of abnormal eating disorders.”

The History of BMI

Let’s get into some of the history behind the BMI and explain why the AMA is right on target with their new recommendations. The formula later used to calculate BMI was created by a mathematician in the early 19th century named Lambert Adolphe Jacques Quetelet. At the time, it was called the Quetelet Index.

The intent of his formula was to have a quick and easy way to measure the general population, it was not meant to be used on an individual basis and is based on data collected from generations of non-Hispanic white men. It does not consider the person’s gender, race, or ethnicity. 

Different ethnicities and races have different “healthy weights” based on research. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Minority Health (OHM), black women have the highest rates of “obesity” and being “overweight” compared to other US groups.

But this likely means that since the BMI didn’t include Black men or women, or women in general, a healthy weight for the Black community may be different. In fact, a 2003 study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), showed that higher BMIs tend to be more ideal for Black people.

In China and Japan, they have changed the cutoff for the “overweight” category from the US version, likely because people of Asian descent have 2X the likelihood of developing Type 2 Diabetes than caucasians.

In the late 20th century, health and life insurance companies replaced their own height-weight tables with the Quetelet Index and correlated an increased amount of body fat with an increased risk of heart disease. This matters because insurance companies then used this information to determine a person’s coverage and doctors used it as a way to determine if they would accept a patient at their practice. 

In a 1972 article called “Indices of Relative Weight and Obesity,”Angel Keys gave Quetelet’s measurement its modern name, the BMI, and also supported its use. Researchers, medical professionals, the government, and more importantly- insurance companies, wanted a simple way to track “health risk” among the US population. 

Keys analyzed the adiposity-density and subcutaneous fat thickness of 7,400 men from 5 European countries, used the Quetelet index, and came up with the BMI as a simple way to measure body weight in relation to height.

In 1985, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) started to use BMI as a way to “identify obesity.”  So not only is this measure based on an old formula, not being used for its intended use, and based on only white men, it also makes no allowance for different body proportions in terms of the amount of bone, muscle, and fat in the body. Someone with strong bones, a lot of muscle, and low body fat will have a high BMI.

How BMI is applied today tends to make the assumption that you can’t be healthy if you’re over a certain weight. But there are people who fall in the “obese” category based on BMI and are completely metabolically healthy, just as there are people who may fall into the “normal weight” category are metabolically unhealthy. 

The Impact of the AMA’s New Policy

When the news first came out about the AMA’s new policy, our first thought was “what about the new AAP Pediatric Guidelines?!” You can read more about those guidelines here. But basically, in January of 2023, the AAP put out new guidelines recommending behavioral treatment, obesity medications, and even bariatric surgery to children. These guidelines are based on the child’s BMI.

So if the AMA is recommending BMI not be used alone and is acknowledging that it is not a great clinical measure of health, how does that affect the AAP’s recommendations? Will those change? Or will children be further stigmatized for their weight?

It is our hope that with the AMA’s new policy, this means that the medical world is changing. We hope it means that more providers will adopt a Healthy at Every Size model and that this changes what providers are taught in medical school about fatness.

We hope this will lead to evidence-based care for each and every person, regardless of size.

This article, Behind the BMI: A History and Why The AMA is Discouraging its Use first appeared on The Curvy Fashionista and is written by mightymurphin.

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We believe a lot of this boils down to miscommunication and a misunderstanding of the fatness spectrum terms. Our goal is to explain why breaking fatness down into discussable categories is really important to understanding the goals of fat liberation.

What Terms Do We Use to Discuss Fatness?

Let’s start with the term “straight size.” You may have heard this used to describe clothing that is not plus size. It depends on the retailer, but generally it would be anyone who is able to shop at a vast majority of stores, typically between sizes 0 and 14. Generally speaking, weight would not be a barrier in their lives because they are the most served population.

“Midsize” has become a HIGHLY debated term on social media. This term was originally intended to include those people who fell in between straight sizes and plus sizes when typically stores were only going up to a size 10 or 12. However, there are currently two things that have changed since this term developed. 

One: straight sizes can be offered by retailers now in sizes 14, 16, or even 18 in some stores without being relegated to the plus size section. 

Two: People who do not even fall within in this size range have started adopting this label to signify that they aren’t super thin, but wear a size medium or large.

The term ‘midsize’ is typically not used when discussing fatness because it’s often used by people who want to distance themselves from fatness and dodge acknowledgment of their proximity to thinness. It is also a way to tag on to the popularity of the body positivity movement, the meaning of which has also morphed thanks to social media.

A term that was developed prior to ‘midsize’ for people who are size 18 and below is “small fat.” A lot of people who consider themselves midsize reject this term, appearing to have an issue with the word fat. Small fats are on the smaller end of the fatness spectrum. They can face medical discrimination and criticism by others, but generally they have access to clothing, seating, etc. with few restrictions.

There is often a lot of focus on small fats because they are deemed the “acceptable” fat bodies. Being called “thick” or “curvy” is seen as positive, but anything more than that is demonized. Brands often use small fats as models to promote their plus size lines because they are seen as more acceptable by society. In turn, their voices are often the ones pushed to the forefront. It’s very rare for a small fat to center more marginalized bodies and not their own.

“Mid fat” is used for anyone who is a size 20-24 and has less access to clothing in brick-and-mortar stores. This is typically the highest end that retail stores offer in terms of plus sizing.  Because this size range would be visibly larger, they would experience more discrimination than small fats and have less access in public spaces.

“Large fat” or “superfat” is used for sizes 26-32, which we know really only have access to online clothing options. Again, as we get further from straight sizes, the more discrimination increases and access lessens. Which is one of the reasons that Saucye West created her campaign, #FightforInclusivity, which challenges brands to extend their size ranges, to truly make fashion accessible.

“Infinifat” describes anyone over a size 32. It’s used for those of us that are the most underserved in fat communities because they are the largest. They have the most significant barriers to healthcare, lack of access to clothing, lack of access to public spaces, discrimination in the workplace, and more. 

“Death fat” was a term created not to include a specific size range, but can be used for anyone who wants to reclaim their medically termed “morbid” fatness. 

Why is the Fatness Spectrum Important?

It’s pretty obvious to most of us from looking around in the world and from personal experiences, that people in smaller bodies are treated completely differently from larger bodies. But even amongst fat people, we still experience differences and sometimes this is solely based on our body size and how we move through society.

The fatness spectrum is helpful in acknowledging that there are different levels of fatness and that MATTERS! It means those on the larger end have less access and will have different experiences than those who fall on the smaller end. It comes down to this – the closer someone is to the beauty standard, the more they are accepted by society. 

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A post shared by Victoria (@fatfabfeminist)

We asked Victoria, who goes by @fatfabfeminist on TikTok and Instagram, why this topic of the Fatness Spectrum is important. Victoria says, “I think it’s important for contextualizing to fat people where they exist on the spectrum of fatness. Often smaller fats are the ones who dominate the conversation on fat issues without always understanding that the larger you get on the spectrum, the more fatphobia impacts you.”

Victoria continues, “The fatness spectrum is not, in my opinion, something that should be meant to serve as an identity or anything. That was a critique I’ve gotten. It’s more to remind yourself of the other people in your community, so you know that you’re fighting for not only yourself, but for everyone larger too.”

As mentioned previously, it is rare for a straight sized person or a small fat to really push for the acceptance of bodies larger than their own. Liberation trickles down once the most marginalized bodies have access and are not discriminated against. Those are the voices that should be at the forefront of fat liberation because they are the ones that need the most change and support.

If This is New Information for You, Here’s What You Can Do Going Forward

Take some time to reflect on your own privilege depending on where you fall on the fatness spectrum. If you aren’t a fan of the term that fits your size as listed above, try to sit with that discomfort and deconstruct why the term makes you uncomfortable. 

It’s important to think about how you can better support those who face more discrimination or have less access than you.

Remember that we will not fully have fat liberation until the most marginalized of us are free from oppression. 

This article, The Fatness Spectrum and Why it Matters first appeared on The Curvy Fashionista and is written by mightymurphin.

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R/J was based on Romeo and Juliet, a Shakespeare classic, but not the way you have seen it before! It was completely rewritten by a duo of queer theater activists and featured fat, queer, trans, non-binary, and BIPOC actors.

The Strand Theater Co located in Baltimore, MD was the stage for one of the best, most relatable, inclusive productions we have ever witnessed.

Fat Representation in R/J Delivered!

There were so many poignant moments within this show. One of the most relevant to our readers would be the scene where Juliet, played and created by Betse Lyons (she/her), discusses her experiences with fatphobia.

For some context, although there are some parts of this show that were pulled from the Shakespeare script, there were also additions of modern-day language, social media, and pop culture references, especially within the music selection. 

The topic of fatphobia comes up in the second half of the show. Juliet is told by her lesbian parents that she is going to be forced into a marriage with the princess, whom Juliet has known since they were kids.

Juliet describes how they used to be very close friends but as she hit puberty and her body began to change, the princess started to treat her like she was invisible. She also goes on to talk about how romantic relationships cause people to get “weird” about their preferences.

Keep in mind, this is delivered while her character is wearing a crop top and skirt – the most appropriate attire to discuss how fat women are treated. 

In a following scene, Juliet’s mother proceeds to make several fatphobic comments to her. “The princess has excellent chefs and personal trainers.” “Maybe wear something that fits you.” “We can’t just pull something in your size to wear.” 

We cannot convey how seen the plus size folks in the audience felt during these scenes, myself included. There were audible gasps and a very vocal, visceral reaction from the audience during these scenes.

How many of us have felt invisible? How many of us have had a romantic interest turn us down just because of how we look? How many of us have heard those same fatphobic comments delivered so nonchalantly, as if we should just expect them? 

According to the Strand Theater Company’s Facebook page, “Unfortunately, much of our society still thrives on ignoring the fact that fat bodies exist. The stage is no exception to this rule; in fact, it is a primary arbiter. Depending on how you classify it, 40-70% of American adults are fat, and that demographic is painfully underrepresented on our stages. This is exactly why we created R/J, to give people a chance to see just how beautiful it can be to allow marginalized bodies to breathe new life into characters we thought we knew. Fat people deserve to have their stories told.“

Queer and Trans Representation in R/J

There was an absolutely gorgeous moment, also in the second half of the show, where Romeo, played and created by O’Malley Steuerman (they/thons), and Juliet remove their outer garments before going to bed together.

This stood out as such a profound moment because Juliet was simply in a bra and underwear juxtaposed against Romeo’s surgical scars from gender affirming surgery (a common surgery for trans masc or non-binary individuals).

There was this moment of acknowledgment about how all bodies are beautiful and absolutely deserving of love- trans bodies, fat bodies, queer bodies, disabled bodies- every single person is worthy.

Romeo simply states, toward the beginning of the show, “I want a love that makes me feel like myself.” This was a line that likely hit home to a lot of queer folks in the audience. Based on personal experience, coming out can be hard.

Discovering who you are and accepting yourself can be a tough journey. Dealing with outside judgement can be incredibly difficult. To find someone else who has shared similar struggles can really make you feel seen, understood, and make you comfortable enough to be your true authentic self.

The Strand Theater Company’s Facebook page also states, “Queer love is important. Queer love is everything. Queer love is being seen and accepted, as nothing other than yourself.”

Another line of Romeo’s, “I didn’t know I could feel this- that I could be happy.” This is another that really impacted the audience. When it comes to any marginalized identity, it is implied that if you are outside of society’s “standard,” that you may never be truly happy, you may never find love.

That’s the idea that is ingrained into us growing up in a cis-het white Eurocentric beauty standard-focused society. But this is something that a lot of us grow to recognize isn’t actually a universal truth. You can absolutely be happy and loved despite what others claim.

When you can truly be you and accept yourself for who you are, that is true happiness.

Why Plus Size and Queer Media Representation Matters

This is why representation in media, and more importantly good representation, is so important. A 2022 report found that despite most women in the US being plus size, fat women only made up 6.7% of characters in the most popular films over the last 10 years. A similar figure was found for the most popular TV shows. 

A 2020 survey by GLAAD and P&G found that queer representation increased acceptance by up to 45%. LGBTQIA+ representation only accounts for 6.7% of the top 10 recurring cast members across the top 300 broadcast, cable, and streaming shows from 2019. It is noted that Latinx and BIPOC femmes are underrepresented.

Intersectionality, the idea that different facets of a person’s identity can affect their privileges or disadvantages in life, is an important lens through which we should analyze representation. This can include race, gender, etc. and how they overlap across systems of discrimination. Queer people come in all shapes, sizes, and colors!

Imagine if you would have grown up with fat or queer or more actors of color or trans actors as role models? Can you imagine how many of us would not feel “othered” by our peers?

Can you imagine how much more accepting society could be if we normalized all bodies?

This is what we need! More inclusion of marginalized identities and bodies across all media.

More About Strand

Strand Theater Company is the only brick-and-mortar, live theater venue in Baltimore City solely dedicated to the work of amplifying women’s voices onstage and off!

Located in the vibrant Hamilton-Lauraville neighborhood, Strand is a 501c3 non-profit that is woman-owned and dedicated to inclusivity, accessibility, and community. Want to learn more? 

This article, Fat and Queer Representation Done Right! R/J Review first appeared on The Curvy Fashionista and is written by mightymurphin.

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If you grew up in a larger body, focus on how doctors, family, your parents, and your peers treated you and focused on the size of your body. 

Did your doctor ever insist on testing your glucose levels at every visit just because of your weight with no other indications that you could be diabetic? Did your parents force you into a weight loss focused program like Weight Watchers or LA Weightloss?

Were you ever treated differently by your peers because you didn’t have the same clothes they did? Were you made to wear a uniform or costume that was completely different from everyone else because that was the only option available in your size?

“Obesity” as a Disease

If you do some research on how “obesity” was classified as a disease, it may surprise you. About 10 years ago, the American Medical Association (AMA) asked their Committee on Science and Public Health to make a determination on whether to classify obesity as a disease or to just keep considering it a risk factor for chronic illnesses.

The committee produced a 5 page opinion suggesting obesity should NOT be classified as a disease for multiple reasons. The reasons being: obesity doesn’t fit the definition of a medical disease, if you consider the human history of adapting to store calories during periods of famine- this actually indicates larger bodies are more efficient, and they worried that medicalizing obesity could hurt patients by creating more stigma and resulting in ultimately useless “treatments.”

At the AMA’s annual meeting in the summer of 2013, Resolution 420: “That our American Medical Association recognize obesity as a disease state with multiple pathophysiological aspects requiring a range of interventions to advance obesity treatment and prevention” passed overwhelmingly by vote, completely disregarding their own committee’s recommendations. 

Ok, now that we are in the right frame of mind to discuss these new AAP guidelines, let’s get into it… and brace yourself.

What Do the New Guidelines Say?

One of the main recommendations in the new guidelines for the treatment of “childhood obesity” is intensive behavior and lifestyle therapy. This includes things like nutritional counseling, physical activity, and “behavioral changes.” Ideally, this would entail 26 hours of in-person treatment over the course of months. An issue with this recommendation is that it will be a while until the therapy is available, which leads us into the more concerning parts of these guidelines because those are more readily available.

The AAP is now recommending weight loss medications to children 12 years and older who are diagnosed as “obese.” Children 13 years and older with “severe obesity” are recommended to have bariatric surgery. This would include those with body weight in the 99th percentile for age and sex.

Why are These New Guidelines a Problem?

If there’s one thing we already know about these trending weight loss medications that will now be prescribed to children, when people go off of these medications, most gain the weight back. This means that once a child is put on these medications, they will need to be taking them for the rest of their lives.

People who get bariatric surgery are at risk for disordered eating post-surgery, which can be very dangerous because of the way the body needs nutrients post-op. They are also at risk for problems with alcohol as they get older postoperatively.

Medications and surgery are the parts of the guidelines most discussed by medical professionals online because they will likely be the options chosen by medical professionals since the behavioral and lifestyle therapy isn’t readily available at this time.

We asked @paulina.the.therapist (MHC-LP) on TikTok for her perspective on these guidelines as a mental health counselor. She states, “Fat people are not a problem to be solved. The negative consequences of weight stigma are well documented yet fat people are treated as subhuman on both systemic and interpersonal levels. 

“The AAP fails to mention nor caution pediatricians about eating disorders or disordered eating. Instead, they recommend actions that are known and documented risk factors for eating disorders with completely inadequate mention of how weight stigma and discussion of weight can increase the risk of developing an eating disorder. Our children are among our most vulnerable and impressionable populations. It has been shown repeatedly that a focus on weight does not lead to positive health outcomes. Quite the opposite, and yet, anti-fat bias runs so deep throughout the medical industrial complex that such dangerous recommendations are being made regardless. It was never about health.”

@nursingtheoryprof (PhD RN) on TikTok states, “As a self-management researcher, I’m also troubled by the way these guidelines do not meaningfully address weight stigma, including the way that the approach recommended here could make children feel stigmatized by their providers. This could be de-motivating over the course of a child’s life, especially if most visits are focused on weight. If children feel that they are reduced to their weight status in the eyes of their provider, and then that their home life is constantly focused on weight, they are likely to be discouraged and resist health behaviors as they develop through adolescence.”

“The thing I find most important in these guidelines is the way they only give lip service to the social determinants of health. All of the behavior change pieces assume all families have access to the same choices in food, safe spaces for physical activity, ability to enroll in extracurricular activities, etc. In fact, the families with the least ability to make the healthy choices asked of them also are the least likely to have access to the medications and surgery recommended.”

What is Being Done to Combat These Recommendations?

Weight Inclusive Nutrition and Dietetics (WIND) is gathering a team of health care professionals and advocates in the weight inclusive space, including Patrilie Hernandez of Embody Lib, Dawn Lundin from Restore Dietetics, Ragen Chastain, and others to respond to these new guidelines.

WIND’s focus is considering how these guidelines with affect the most marginalized communities, the future implications and impact on families, and how this may shape policies for providers and insurance plans. 

WIND states, “The Clinical Practice Guidelines have the potential to harm children and perpetuate weight stigma even more. This workgroup is dedicated to analyzing the guidelines and advocating for evidence-based and weight-inclusive approaches to child health. In the weeks and months following the release of the guidelines, the group has met regularly and is working on:

• An in-depth review of the more than 800 references cited, including analyzing a handful of studies to identify design flaws and faulty conclusions
• A resource that serves as a one-stop shop for articles, podcasts, and media responses to the Clinical Practice Guidelines so far
• A sign-on letter outlining the potentially harmful consequences for children if the guidelines are implemented in their current form. The letter also provides a call to action for anyone who is looking to engage in advocacy around this issue.”

All of this will be unveiled to the public at a webinar hosted by WIND in mid-summer 2023.

If you’re concerned about these new guidelines in relation your own child, we recommend asking your pediatrician to not talk to your child about their weight.

You always have the option to tell your child’s doctor not to comment on your child’s body or discuss BMI in front of them. If the provider doesn’t agree to do so, it’s worth looking for a new doctor. 

This article, INSANE! New AAP Guidelines for “Treating Childhood Obesity” first appeared on The Curvy Fashionista and is written by mightymurphin.

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