Are plus size models promoting obesity?

They're big, beautiful and ooze body confidence, but are plus size models glamorising obesity?

Although I admire their ability to portray a positive body image and relate to the 'average' woman, I far from agree with the media fueled obsession surrounding the promotion of obesity via plus size models such as Tess Holliday - a 5'5 size 22 American plus size model weighing 260 lbs.

Despite the acceptance of larger manikins and plus size models symbolising a positive change in terms of our perception of body image, promoting models with an accumulation of excess weight and a body mass index that resembles obesity, is unacceptable. In fact, it has the same influential impact as the skeletal runway models who religiously promote an abnormal body weight - they are unrealistic, unnatural and extremely unhealthy.

A size 22 model oozing body confidence and self acceptance may be an inspiration to women, but the underlying concern still remains - being obese or weighing more than your ideal body weight not only poses as a serious risk to health and life expectancy, it also increases your risk of developing a multitude of potentially life threatening weight related health conditions including coronary heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes to name but a very few.

Although we should view plus size models with respect and admiration, it should be on a body confidence basis only. Being, or aspiring to be overweight isn't ok. It's a dangerous and abnormal risk that could cost you your health and more importantly, your life. A size 12-14 model may resemble the 'average' woman, but a size 22 plus size model resembles the unhealthiness of obesity - an increasingly common medical condition that can kill you.