In a study where they measured “thinspiration and the fear of fat indirectly” it became “a matter of approach and avoidance.” In this study they took multiple female college students and showed them pictures of different models of all different sizes. They found that “the participants' reaction times during the SRC [Stimulus Response Compatibility] task provided an index of the automatic affective and motivational valence of the models” thus showing their response to be much more apt to the thinner models and resistant to the plus size. This evidence shows that our response to people of different sizes is a subconscious judgment. As a society our associations with beauty and health have become linked to a thin physicality which induces a very unfair and warped perception. It is for this reason that so many people are dealing with eating disorders and the anxiety and stress to stay thin. We have people who do live a healthy lifestyle but are not considered fit under societal standards. Just because some people are a little more voluptuous does not mean they are lazy or unhealthy. In fact studies have shown that people who are a little heavier statistically live longer than those who comply with societal standards of being thin. I cannot deny the fact that we as Americans have a huge issue with weight problems due to over eating and lack of exercise. But I think we have to ask ourselves if subjecting oneself to throwing up after every meal or going without food all together should be any more acceptable. This is all related to perception and this constant pressure to stay thin and look “fit” is causing more discouragement and distress than truly inducing healthy and satisfying life styles.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21182883
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