‘FAT SHAMING IS WRONG, BUT GLORIFYING OBESITY MUST STOP’

As plus-size models star in a new fashion show, Dr Christian weighs in on the debate...

After Sports Illustrated used plus-size models on the catwalk, doctor Brad Frankum said that featuring drastically overweight women sends out a bad health message. I’ve always thought this, but never quite dared to say it. Whenever an obese model goes down the runway and everyone congratulates it, I feel infuriated. It’s not wonderful – it’s at best patronising, at worst dangerous.

Celebrating being too big makes me uncomfortable, purely because of the medical risks. Plus-size models and celebs often say “this is just how I am,” but it doesn’t have to be. They also say they’re happy, but that’s not what this is about. It’s not good to be underweight or overweight. This isn’t about making people feel bad about themselves. As a doctor, if I didn’t tell patients that being overweight is unhealthy I wouldn’t be doing my job.

MEDICAL RISKS

Fat shaming, bullying and trolling are wrong, and it will never help someone who is obese to get healthier, but we shouldn’t be glorifying either the “heroin chic” of the nineties, or the “hamburger chic” of today.

High-profile overweight people may say they’re healthy, but being overweight raises their risk ofof everything from heart disease to diabetes, and even cancer. Another study just came out that once again proved you can’t be “fat and fit” because added weight impacts blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol, and fat secretes dangerous hormones. Exercise is vital, but it doesn’t cancel out the risks associated with obesity.

I’ve had patients see me about a rash, then they’ve been upset if I’ve mentioned their weight. If someone with a sore leg also had a dodgy-looking mole, they’d expect me to mention it. Both are a health concern. Being over or underweight shouldn’t be celebrated – both send bad messages to young people.

HEALTHY MODELS

I saw a photo of some very thin Victoria’s Secret models and they looked ill to me. It’s exactly the same with large models.

Why do we have to use either an emaciated model, or an overweight one? Can’t we have a fashion show with healthy people? It’s time to get real.