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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

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    Why Skinny Celebs Still Scare Us

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    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...

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    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...

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    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

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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