There is also the cultural factor, although this may play less of a role than previously thought. Those in lower socioeconomic levels may not have the same access to fresh vegetables, fruit, etc., as someone whose got a little more money. There’s also genetics–blacks often suffer from hypertension far more than whites, and what happens when you have hypertension? Water weight gain.

As for the hostess stating that men need to grow up, what does she look like? I’m guessing she’s no Sophia Loren (who she’d probably say was too fat).

But I noticed that I can’t seem to spell controversy very well. Sorry!

And hey, Mo? Easy on the NPR “tone” snark. Some of your best commenters listen to NPR.

Hee.

B) What whyme63 said about controversy and the media. (Methinks that may be why Ms. Dickerson has a Salon column in the first place — outrage draws letters draws ad revenue.)

Dickerson goes on to point out that “pre-kids” she was a “hardcore gym rat” who harassed co-workers “over the contents of their lunch sacks.”

I’m “hardcore” enough that I have my own gym, but I’m certainly not going to harrass other people about what they eat. Why? ‘Cause it’s RUDE.

Ahh, the pleasant waft of the self-hating, over-controlling, over-other-scrutinizing personality. That quote really says it all right there, yes?

I am a white woman who happens to have the “pear-shaped” bottom-heavy[hur hur]-hourglass figure that is supposedly fetishized by black men. I’ve been chatted up by men of lots of different races, the only physical attribute I’ve ever noticed attracting one cultural group was that Italian guys really went for my red hair when I kept it dyed that colour. Soon as I dyed it I was being pursued through the streets of London (actually very creepy, but true).

I mean, telling black men to “grow up”? And the “gym rat,” criticizing people’s lunch boxes thing? She is so clearly overinvested in this issue, it’s not funny. But play the “health” card and people automatically assume you have credibility and are speaking objective truth.

Sweet Baby Ray, how true is that?

But my guess is that it is probably because people who don’t have body issues don’t feel a compulsion to judge everyone against a standard that comes from their own disordered brain, and then go on TV to evangelicize the results.

And of course, the media doesn’t want rational discourse and consensus about anything. Controversey is what attract viewers and readers, sells product, and generates revenue. Controversey must therefore be created where none exists.