Sex, TV and Idols

It seems fat stories tend to clump together in the middle of the week, traditionally "slow news days", I guess because there is always some perspective or other to "the obesity epidemic".

This week seems different, there is a diversity of stories on different issues.
First up, NZ Idol. I'm not a Kiwi- but I teach a lot of NZ and Polynesian kids, so the story of Rosita Vai, the now newly crowned NZ Idol being critised as a bad body role model struck a chord with me. I have always been in awe of the size and grace of Polynesian women and Rosita clearly has that poise and inner strength. She is clearly talented- but Sir Howard Morrison criticised her a poor role model and not having the image to make it in the industry. Rosita is now the fourth plus size winner of an Idol competition, following Ruben Studdard (US), Michele McManus (UK) and Casey Donovan (Aust.). If the voting is truly by the viewers (an entry for another time and place)- then what are they saying? Clearly the viewing public has no problem with plus size Idols, so bring it on.

On the other hand, Dianne Holloway looks at the attitude to fat on TV. From the car crash viewing of The biggest Loser to the new sitcom Thick and Thin, it seems issues of size on TV are still about poking fun or being just plain mean.

A couple of sources have examined a new study that found obese people had better sex lives once they lost as little as 10 per cent of their weight. Now over and above the logistical issues, it appears it is all about self confidence and attractiveness. Once they succeed in losing weight they feel better about themselves, and therefore more sexy. Voila- improved sex life! It seems so logical, but why this perception after weight loss, couldn't we work on improving self image while still fat and therefore have great fitness- inducing fat sex.