gempis said:From a cultural standpoint, the higher incidence of overweight stature in African-Americans greatly concerns me because it is a population that is already marginalized in health care in the first place, or doesn't have access to any. This is compounded in women by cultural approval of women with big butts, etc. White women have pressure to be think and look skinny, but black women don't necessarily have that, and in fact may have the opposite pressure. This is an extra hurdle in the battle of the bulge, in my eyes. Extra weight is more than an aesthetic problem - it is a health hazard to the body and shortens the lifespan.
For the record, you don't have to be "big" to have a big butt! :grin: However you are correct in stating that there are cultural preferences that do compound this issue. Both African American & Latino cultures prefer larger women (I don't like skinny women myself). Although one thing that we must keep in mind is that skinny is not necessarily healthy. The European ideal is often the supermodel look, and I can assure you those women are anything but healthy.
While VJ57 was on point in much of what she said, in many ways I feel today's society is more concerned about health than has ever been the case in the past. However we always look for the short cuts: Drugs, Atkins, South Beach, etc. Also there is a subculture within our society which promotes satisfaction about being happy with what you are (even if that is dangerously overweight). The BBW or SSBBW (Big Beautiful Woman/Super Size Big Beautiful Woman) is an example of this. What do you ladies think about this term?