In the movie "Click", there's one scene where Adam Sandler's character "rewinds" to his past girlfriends, all of which are overweight. His facial expression and reaction to seeing them in general delivers the message quite well that "fat" = "ugly". I'm sure most movie watchers never gave that scene a second thought in the context I just gave. They probably walked away thinking "man those girls were ugly" - when in fact, they were just overweight. And yes, there's a difference between the two!

I have never understood that part of American culture which correlates being "overweight" with "not being pretty". It's made obvious in almost every medium - tv, movies, and even journalism. When's the last time you saw a news anchor who was a "fat"?

A woman's beauty should not be defined by her weight. Hopefully someday, people will realize this and that notion will become engrained into society.

In today's world, we often hear about health issues that come with being overweight. We see the struggles that overweight people have on a daily basis--out of breath, sweaty after short time of exertion, chairs that don't fit, etc. I believe that what we perceive to be beautiful are those things that we also aspire to be. I aspire to achieve better health. I don't want the embarrassment of not being able to physically complete tasks I need to do because of my weight. These attributes of being overweight are not beautiful to me. Many people would agree with me using that definition of beauty. While a person who is overweight can certainly have a most beautiful personality, it often gets overshadowed by the external struggles that obesity can cause.

I agree that it's sad how people have come to equate skinny (and I don't mean thin, but skinny, which is exaggeratedly thin) with being beautiful and with being healthy. My best friend weighs about 110 pounds, and has had health problem after health problem all of her life. i, on the other hand, have struggled with my weight for my entire adult life, but am a healthy person. I have always been healthy, strong and beautiful. I will never look emaciated, but I am healthy. There's nothing wrong with being thin, but there's also nothing wrong with not being thin, either. The world will be a better place when people recognize that thin is not always healthy, and overweight is not always ugly.

I wish people had healthier views on weight...I'm finally getting there, after a long struggle. I've fought with eating disorders a couple of times in my life, I was always heavier and had low self-esteem. Finally, a little over a year ago, I got really depressed and it got really bad. I lost about 60 pounds, but wasn't healthy. I have to admit that finally reaching a weight I was comfortable with helped my self-esteem, but it took a lot of work to get out of my unhealthy mindset about food and let myself enjoy eating again. Now, I've been able to keep the weight off by working out and eating right, not depriving myself.

I agree a Woman's beauty should not be defined by her weight. But this is no excuse for not getting healthy. Being overweight implies a host of health problems which are likely to plague you as you age. So, instead of finding meanings and connotations, I would say, overweight man or woman, should hit the gym or take up some exercise which ever suits them well.

Being a mom, I believe in "practice before you preach". So, if I don't believe in staying healthy, what am going to teach my kids? They are bound to emulate me and take my example for everything in life.

Yes, it is true that woman's beauty should not be defined by her weight. Women are beautiful in all shapes, colors, and sizes. The next aspect that should be looked at though is health. Don't lose weight to pleasure anybody else, lose weight because you want to be a healthier you and live long enough to see your grandchildren.

In some cultures, overweight is beautiful! But in saying that, it admits that in ours, overwheight is ugly. That's just the way it is. No, it is not an absolute thing, but rather than trying to change the culture, it is better to change ourselves. And I think we can agree that generally speaking, overweight (just like underweight) is unhealthy. The right man will find his woman beautiful, and for those who are content with who they are, they won't want a different kind of man. So instead, concentrate not on weight, but on health, and take care of yourself without worrying about others.

It is true that overweight has become synonymous with ugly. I myself am overweight and find myself hiding more and more as to not be judged by others. I believe that beauty is in the eye of the beholder but I find myself falling more victim to this stereotype of the "fat" person.

I have never felt more invisible than I do now... at my heaviest. I have been blessed to have two gorgeous sisters. Unfortunately, when I am with them I feel even more invisible because people are enraptured by their beauty. It's hard... I know I am a beautiful person, I know there is more to me than my body. Society just makes it hard to deal with a little extra cushion.

Recently, I have become proactive in my efforts to lose weight. Not only because of society's view of me and my extra-large body but because I want to be able to be proud of myself while walking down the street. I want to be able to wear a dress that I feel beautiful in. I want to become happier and healthier within myself. This is something all overweight people face and we all deserve a chance at lasting happiness! Good luck to you all! Much peace and prosperity to you and yours!

I cannot agree with you more about a woman being defined by her outside shell. I have seen some women who are "beautiful" by media standards but are quite "ugly" once you get to know them. More importantly, I have met many women who may not fit into the "beautiful" mold as defined by the media but are absolutely "gorgeous" in talent, personality, and spirit. And guess what! These are the women who men are looking to for long term relationships. We need to reassure women that they should look in their heart and mirror and not at fashion magazines and tv shows to see their true beauty.