Turns out that big girls really don't cry ... at least not as much as beanpoles. A recent British survey has shown that fuller-figured gals are happier than their skinnier counterparts. (YES! Party subs for everyone!)According to the study, women who wore a size 14 (around a U.S. size 10) reported the highest levels of "general happiness," noting satisfaction with their appearance, career and love life. While curvier chicks on the whole seemed to enjoy life more, weight and cheeriness only correlated to a certain extent.
Women who wear a size 24 or larger (just above a U.S. 2X ) were among the unhappiest. But on the opposite end of the spectrum, size 6 (a U.S. size 4) wearers were still pretty glum, coming in fourth place for the most miserable size.
Size 14 is the national average for British gals, so it seems, like everybody keeps telling us, that a moderate middle ground is the key to all things (although we think that ice cream should be exempt).
Or, like notoriously curvy, notoriously awesome television chef Nigella Lawson (at left) told England's Daily Mail, "I do think that women who spend all their lives on a diet probably have a miserable sex life: If your body is the enemy, how can you relax and take pleasure?"
Well, there you go. If you needed a reason to tear into a pile of buffalo wings, now you have the prospect of better sex as an incentive.
Hot Health Debates on Lemondrop
Gardasil: A Waste or Worth It?
Tons of controversies swirling around Gardasil, the vaccination against four strains of human papillomavirus (HPV), which can cause cervical cancer. Should the vaccine be mandatory? Does it really work? Will it kill you? A report came out in June that shows there have been 9,749 adverse reactions and 21 deaths possibly due to the vaccination...
Gardasil: Get the whole story on Lemondrop
Peretzpup, Flickr
Could Splenda Cause Weight Gain?
And another sweetener bites the dust -- Duke University scientists just published research on the health detriments of the guilt-free sweetness that is Splenda: Besides contributing to obesity, it damages "good" intestinal bacteria and inhibits the absorption of prescription drugs...
Splenda Controversy: Get the whole story on Lemondrop
Bitzcelt, Flickr
Why Skinny Celebs Still Scare Us
Everyone's talking about the skinny (or too skinny?) stars of the new "90210" and the damaging influence they may have on young viewers. But it shouldn't affect us, right? We're smart, healthy, professional woman, and we know that being 90 lbs. is not the recipe for self-satisfaction. So why do the stars still make us feel so ... well ... big?
Skinny Celebs: Get the whole story on Lemondrop
Getty Images/Bryan Bedder
100 Calorie Packs: Diet Tool or Sneakily Fattening?
At first, those 100-calorie snack packs seemed like the answer to our prayers: The same treats we'd always loved, in portion (and guilt!) controlled sizes. How could we go wrong? But sadly, two recent studies say we most certainly could go wrong...
100 Calorie Packs: Get the whole story on Lemondrop
Flickr, Blondie5000
To Tan or Not To Tan?
New ammunition for the anti-tanning squad: Three recent studies say there's no such thing as a safe or healthy tan. The authors are calling for a ban on tanning beds for those under 18, as well as advertising limitations...
Fake Tanning: Get the whole story on Lemondrop
AP
Is Organic Actually "Better?"
At this point, it's safe to say that our culture has officially gone green. "Organic" product labels are everywhere, from the grocery store to the cosmetics counter. But as this marketing campaign spreads to everyday nomenclature, do we average consumers even know what organic means? Or has it simply seeped into our minds as being synonymous with "better"?
Organics: Get the whole story on Lemondrop
Kraft
Martinis in the Maternity Ward?
Think that's the glow of impending motherhood on the cheeks of that mom-to-be? Think again -- it might just be intoxication. A recent British survey found that one-third of the 1,300 women interviewed tippled during their pregnancies. What's more, the same percentage couldn't say how much alcohol was recommended as the maximum...
Drinking During Pregnancy: Get the whole story on Lemondrop
Brett L., Flickr
Cosmetic Vaginal Surgery
At a recent OB/GYN conference, an expert spoke out against the rise in cosmetic vaginal surgery. Professor Linda Cardozo says that ads and media coverage have increased the demand for these procedures and that not enough studies have been done regarding their safety...
Vaginal Surgery: Get the whole story on Lemondrop
Moncaeu, Flicrk
Plastic Surgery for Back Fat
The exhaustive mission to remodel every inch of the human body is one step closer to completion! The American Society of Plastic Surgeons announced that 20 women have gone under the knife for a new "bra-line back lift" procedure that eliminates back fat. The one-hour operation totally removes "dreaded back fat rolls and lumps..."
Back Fat Surgery: Get the whole story on Lemondrop
Karlfrankowski, Flickr
Want proof that guys already know that happiness is a round butt? Check out these pin-ups on our brother site Asylum.
1,600 Calories...and Worth It?
Cosi Double Trouble Brownie Sundae, Calories: 1,594, Total Fat: 95 g
"One warm chocolate brownie & one blondie topped with two scoops of vanilla ice cream, whipped cream & a cherry." Seven nights on the treadmill, alternating between self-loathing and considering eating another one when you get home.
Laura Gilbert
Chili's Chocolate Chip Paradise Pie, Calories: 1,600, Total Fat: 78 g
Why have dessert when you can have novelty dessert?! It comes to your table fajita-style, sizzling in a cast iron skillet. And it's soaking in a vat of cinnamon butter. (Kind of like your heart.)
Southeast Star, Flickr
Romano's Macaroni Grill's Dessert Ravioli, Calories: 1,630, Total Fat: 74 g
This Italian-inspired concoction consists of peanuts, caramel and chocolate in fried pastries served with vanilla ice cream and, uh, more caramel. Don't worry, their New York Cheesecake only has 1,610 calories.
Watori Goro, Flickr
P.F. Chang's Great Wall of Chocolate with Raspberry Sauce, Calories: 2,240, Total Fat: 89 g
Well, it does have 20g of protein and we can write off the raspberry sauce as being in the fruit group, so it's sort of like salad, right?
tresposhepreppy.blogspot.com
Applebee's Sizzling Apple Pie with Ice Cream, Calories: 1,086, Total Fat: 56 g
There's nothing more American than warm apple pie -- that has over a thousand calories. The ice cream melts over the sizzling sugary crust, creating a hot-and-cold classic for your piehole.
Applebees.com
Baskin-Robbins Heath Bar Shake, Calories: 2,310, Total Fat: 108 g
We like our coffee like we like our men: blended with Heath ice cream and caramel and tastefully garnished with whipped cream and pieces of candy bars.
BaskinRobbins.com
Mimi's Café Chocolate Chip Pecan Pie, Calories: 1,879, Total Fat: 111 g
Why choose between pecan pie and a chocolate dessert when you can jam them both onto one plate? Plus, pecans = heart-healthy fats, right? Right? Come back here, we're having chest pains.
MimisCafe.com
Friendly's Caramel Fudge Brownie Sundae, Calories: 1,530, Total fat: 70 g
An Oreo brownie with five scoops of ice cream, hot fudge, caramel and whipped cream. Who could have guessed those ingredients would add up to such high digits? We blame new math.
Friendlys.com
Don Pablo's Chocolate Volcano Cake, Calories: 1,380, Total Fat: 77g
(Not to be confused with the 1997 film.) Take one chocolate cinnamon cake, drop it in a pool of molten chocolate butter sauce, scoop ice cream on top and shovel into maw. Burp.
Amazon
On the Border Chocolate Turtle Empanadas, Calories: 1,280, Fat: 729 g
Really, how better to wash down a meal of fried flour, refried beans and guac than a pile of pastries filled with chocolate, caramel and pecans. With ice cream. Delicioso!
ontheborder.com
Comments:
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Wednesday 31 December
By Leah
What snob decided that size 10 "American" is fuller-figure? That kind of thinking is exactly why we have so many young women having unrealistic body images. Whoever wrote this is insensitive and probably a bean-pole or a guy! No matter your size, this article was written very insensitively.
Reply
Thursday 01 January
By A Dude
Hey, Size 24 you are the shining example of fat and miserable and wanting everyone to accept you. "Full figured" is the Politically Correct term for Fat Chick. Be glad they didn't use that term.
Size 4 to size Amywhinehouse +10 is the minimum citeria for being a hot chick. Mix in a salad would you.
Thursday 01 January
By Jeannine
I agree, Leah...a size 10 is a medium at most stores. Not exactly big. I can understand why women of that size would be happiest...it's a healthy weight for many people. I'm 5'4" & fit into a size 10 but I could stand to lose about 15lbs...but for someone taller a size 10 is probably perfect. If you naturally wear a size 0 or 2 or whatever without starving yourself, congratulations, but we can't all be stick figures. I'm not for letting yourself go & eating whatever you want & sitting on the couch all day, either. Unless a medical condition prohibits you, celery & treadmills are your friends!
Thursday 01 January
By jim
Based on your statement you must be over weight and making these commments help you feel justified for being over weight.
Thursday 01 January
By biparun
Size 10 is fairly average, but there is no way its a medium. I am 5'8, weigh 144 and fit into a 6 or 8. I am not skinny, so to me a size 10 is on the "full figure" scale as the article mentioned. Let's not forget that the average American is overweight. So our daily perception of what is "acceptable" is a bit subjective. Being fit and healthy with a low percentage of fat is what we should be striving for. Diabetes and heart disease are not acceptable and unfortunately are risk factors for "full figured" gals.
Thursday 01 January
By Jilly
I'm 5'10 1/2" tall.When I wore a size 9/10 I was 128 to 130 pounds. Trust me on my frame every one asked me if I had an eating disorder.
Not until I gained weight and wore size 12 did those comments stop and then when I was a size 14 was when I was consider curvey, NOT FAT.
This is insane to cinsider a size 10 a "big girl". I hope I can keep my daughter on the healthly track of being fit and healthly instead of a walking skeleton.
Thursday 01 January
By jpk
Right on. Size 10 is not fuller figure -- and Size 14 in the UK is closer to a size 12 US (still a very normal size). Healthy should always come first. Happiness usually follows.
Thursday 01 January
By bev
The pressure put on woman to have super unatural bodies has to stop. Its about time woman started looking again like women and stop trying to look like a walking corpse. This is also giving a bad message to the little girls growing up. Its time the importance was put where it should go = on the inside of the person first.
Reply
Thursday 01 January
By Colleen
An american size 10 is average and in my opinion for smaller women. When figuring (no pun intended) your weight one should consider body frame and is the weight predominately muscle or fat. I am very happy as a size 10 and feel great. It is the weight I feel the healthies at.
I was also happy two sizes larger but more uncomfortable in jeans. It's not fun to care around an extra ?? pounds I know so if you want to lose a few go ahead.
So ladies and girls be healthy and happy whether you are small, average or big and beautiful. Celebrate your feminity! and don't buy into the fashion trendy anorexic image. It's just not healthy or in my opinion attractive.
Reply
Thursday 01 January
By mike
size 14 is a fat slob
Reply
Thursday 01 January
By MaryAnne
You say a size 14 is a fat slob??? Where do you get that idea from? I wear a size 12, and certainly do not consider myself a blimp. I have no problem attracting men, never have...oh, if certain men only find a size 2 attractive, great, that's a personal choice. In my experience, most men prefer a woman with some flesh on her bones, not some anorexic chick that's just so self-involved with her appearance. You're entitled to your opinion, but I truly believe you're in the minority. By the way, do you have a perfect body to offer those bony females????
Thursday 01 January
By Spy
Post your picture Mr. perfect, let us women critique....
Thursday 01 January
By Ardis
Mike is a frustrated boy that can't get any dates, so he hangs around here just to say nasty things. Feel sorry for him.
Thursday 01 January
By judy
Mike, men that are attracted to skinny women, are the same ones that are attracted to 10 and 12 year olds.
Thursday 01 January
By me
screw u
Thursday 01 January
By rocknnrs3
mike your kind prolly has a beer gut and small hands along with your meager mind and whatever else ails you!
Thursday 01 January
By avidrdr
Come on, you dog you, post your picture. it won't matter. You'll go to Men's Fitness Magazine and grab a photo and say it's you. I peg you as an abusive husband or boyfriend. I bet whoever is in a relationship with you is totally miserable and possibly in fear for her life.
Thursday 01 January
By Joe
My wife is usually back and forth between a size 12 and a size 14 depending on the fit of the item. I have to say she is the perfect size, I think woman with curves look and feel like woman not malnurished children. Very sexy at size 14!!
Thursday 01 January
By Brenda
do you like anorexic women? they are sickly looking.
Thursday 01 January
By mysticstarz
EXCUSE Me??? When I was a teenager I was bulimic and I was skin and bones BUT still wore a size 12....So what gives you the right to say that any size is a fat blimp? Grow up and get a life...everyone has different frames and some can appear large at a 12, however not all people do Some look amazing at that weight and some like myself look WAY TOO THIN in that size