1 post tagged “http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=1200000”

The class presentations so far have been wonderful! I've enjoyed everyone of them and was very informed and enlightened. The project about body image among women really struck a chord in though.

Towards the end of their presentation, Dr. C asked them how the image of body varies by culture, specifically among Black women.  I honestly don't think the girl knew the answer. She responded with something about the perception of video vixens, which is good topic within itself, but doesn't answer Dr.C's question. The girl then said their topic was very broad and it would be difficult to cover every part. Maybe true, so I'm taking this opportunity to share my opinion.

Body image among black women is VERY different than other cultures. Honestly, we pride ourselves on being "thick."  Celebrities like Mo'Nique and Queen Latifah have encouraged black women to embrace their curves and not be afraid

to flaunt them. I agree with that completely. No matter what size you are, one should be happy with who they are. Stores like Lane Bryant and Avenue have been created so that plus-size women can look wonderful and trendy. I applaud them as well.

What I don't applaud is stupidity.

I hate, possibly despite the fact that we as Black women encourage being fat, not "thick" and yet we are the number one victims of heart disease.  We are known to have high blood pressure, heart disease, etc., and yet we continue to these horrible lifestyles.  Black sororities endorse the American Heart Association and the "Go Red" campaign. No! What they should advocate is healthy living!

I make this comments bluntly because I'm currently living this. For most of my life, I have been a large female.  I am about 5 feet 8 inches tall, so my weight is hidden, but trust me, it was/is there.  My BMI was about 34, which is the obese range, and was knocking on 240's door. My doctor always wanted to talk to me about my weight. It was a New Year's resolution for years. I honestly didn't see anything wrong. I thought I was just thick. No, I was fat. I looked bloated and unhealthy.  In January 2007, I entered a size 18 and I almost fainted. After that, I took a vow that I would never be that size again. . never again! I completely changed my lifestyle and started working out. Listen to me, I did not go on Jenny Craig or Weight Watchers. I just changed my lifestyle. I set small, achievable goals and I'm proud to say today I am currently a size 12, my BMI is about 28, and I weigh 180 pounds!! I still have a little bit that I wanna lose, but I have a come a long way from where I was. I have no problem stating my weight information. I figure I must practice what I preach.

Was I influenced by the media? Probably. I wanted to be smaller like Beyonce, Gabrielle Union or Laila Ali. These beautiful black women aren't necessarily skinny, but they are small and most importantly HEALTHY!!  I am proud of my curves! I never want to be skinny like Kate Hudson or Drew Barrymore. They live by a different standard, but I do want to look nice in clothes and swimsuits.  I am happy to see Queen Latifah taking steps to lose a little bit of weight. That's the positive encouragement that Black women need to see.

I'm sure that I'll get a lot of grief for this post, but this is a topic that has bothered me for a while. Black women are strong, beautiful, talented, but let us not be stupid. There's nothing wrong with having some meat on our bones, but not a whole cow friends. If you are overweight, consult your doctor and find out what you should be to be healthy. It may seem unnerving, but that's only because you may have a long way to go. Just don't become an AHA statistic.  And to Mo'Nique and her book "Skinny Cooks Can't Be Trusted," I am a wonderful cook!