Likemthin's comment about the ideal size is silly. Ideal size is something that has to take into account height- someone who is 5'2 would be obese as a size 12, but someone who is 5'11 might not be. it's about having the correct proportion.

I think Likemthin is crazy to say a size 12 is obese. I know a lot of people who are sizes 12-16 who look fantastic. She needs to get over herself. Maybe she was born a size 2, but you don't have to be a size 2 or 6 to look amazing in clothes.

Weight can be a relative statement. The real question is not 'am I the correct weight/size?', but rather should be 'am I healthy and active?' 'Ideal' body weights , like most Hollywood ideas of weight, are most often too low to support long-term health. It is easy to be 'overweight' but not unhealthy. Muscle weighs more than fat. Therefore, if someone is overweight, they could simply have more muscle ma*s and/or large bones. The best 'role model' is the person who emulates a positive personality, is happy with herself/himself, maintains good health, and works to stay physically active (whether that be dancing, running or whatever). Some people with a strong family history of obesity have to work very hard - much harder than most 'normal' people - but still find it impossible to maintain a weight that is acceptable to the Hollywood image.

If a person's weight and lifestyle is the leading cause of further illness or disease, i.e., diabetes, high blood pressure, etc., then other measures should be taken to make healthier choices.

You cannot determine whether someone is medically overweight based on their size. It is common knowledge that women's clothing in the U.S. is a*signed an arbitrary size number (such as a "12") which varies between brands and styles. If you really wanted to see if a person was overweight or not you could measure their waist size or better yet, height and weight and check their BMI. My size varies between a 2 and a 6 depending on what I'm wearing. Also, you'll notice that men's clothing doesn't come in size numbers, it comes in measurements. The reason women's clothing comes in size numbers is to make them feel good/bad about their bodies.

In response to "SD Craig"...The fact is that there is no "perfect size 12"! If one is a size 12, one is overweight. Seriously overweight. A friend of mine is a size 12 and although she is very pretty, her weight puts her in the obese catagory and makes her unattractive. Following weight reccomendations by medical experts, the ideal size is in the 2 - 4 range. If you are larger than a size 6, you are clearly overweight. Simple. Furthermore, men do not prefer fat women; Everyone knows that!

Hell no. She is a perfect size 12, remember when that was the norm?

Hollywood needs to get over themselves. It's been ridiculous for years, the skinny expectations. And no man REALLY wants to see a girl without curves, seriously.