When size acceptance isn't ok

I recently watched two different programmes on size acceptance. The first one is titled Fat and Proud, and it is a really inspiring documentary featuring some larger ladies in the UK who lead a fulfilling and active life. One of them is even a dance teacher, and the other a kissogram. They are beautiful women and all looked really healthy, even though their BMI would class them as 'obese'. But then again, in my opinion, the BMI scale is a load of bollocks because it does not take into consideration other issues, such as health, muscle mass, etc.

Here's a link to the first part of the programme, where you get to meet these inspirational women.

 The title of the second documentary is Fat For Cash. Now here is where I have a problem. It was made in the US, and the women in this programme are on the extreme scale of obesity, to the extent that it has become a life threatening and disabling condition. However, they don't seem to give a fuck about this, and use their size to make money. They sell themselves on webcam, rolling about naked, eating huge amounts, or sitting on men up to the point of suffocation.

Sammee, currently weighing 27 stone or 378 lbs appears to be the healthiest of three women, even though she says she has a condition called sitophilia, which means that food excites her sexually - you learn something new every day! She has opened up a super sized strip club. At least the women working in this club are keeping active and having fun. But it is the other two cases that are really disturbing.

Jennifer, who weighs 30 stone (over 400 lb) wants to put on MORE weight and boasts of having gained 100 lb since she started to overeat deliberately. One thigh alone measures a staggering 42.5 inches. One wonders when is she going to get to the point when she thinks that enough is enough? That is, if she lives long enough.

 Christina, who weighs around 44 stone (approximately 600 lbs) was even featured naked in a paddling pool being force fed through a funnel. She describes herself as 'fat, beautiful and sexy'. In another section of the film, her teenage daughter is pleading with her to lose weight. The young girl is a carer for this woman, who can hardly do anything for herself. Because of her size she cannot wash or even wipe her own arse. The young girl's pleas fall on deaf ears, and personally I found this section of the film heart wrenching and really difficult to watch.

Christina obviously has some serious mental health problems, I googled her name to find out a little bit more about her and found out that she suffered with major depression after her daughter died at birth. Although she may think that she feels empowered by being an obese pinup, in my opinion, she is a person who desperately needs help and support, and guidance towards a healthier lifestyle, not exploitation.

 What is that saying about our society when there are sick fuckers that not only encourage this form of extreme self harm but are willing to pay to watch it?

Fat For Cash can be viewed here. There are some graphic and very disturbing images.