55 years ago, 81 obese women were studied through an analysis of responses to the famous ink blot test.  The study concluded that obese women, counter to their thinner competition, were far more repressive. This is to say that these women did not fully express their true emotions and feelings. Psychoanalysts of the time believed that their obesity was representative of these repressed real emotions and feelings. The question remained – if this sample of women was found to be more repressive, why then, would they not repress the urge to overeat?

Conceptions of obesity as socially undesirable have been widely marketed over the past century. Despite the proliferation of media providing access to virtually anything and everything, research indicates that it is uncommon to find images of obese couples, personal advertisements, nor adult erotic prints and movies that depict women who are overweight.

My thought is that being fat must hold some psychological purpose for some people. In our culture, we look to extremes. We pass judgment on those who are heavily pierced, tattooed, who fashion bizarre haircuts and colors. All of these assumed personas are intentional and purposeful. We attribute them to inner conflict, rebellion, age, etc. Don’t we cast similar negative appraisals of those who are in fact, fat? It would stand to reason then, that for some, this fat is also purposeful – it just may not be part of that person’s awareness. Weight bears significant social implications; this is in, so, who wants to be fat? 

Of all the social implications, we are most aware of the ramifications that being overweight may have on romantic interactions. And why wouldn’t we be? This message has been articulated and instilled within Americans for generations. In 1944, Seventeen magazine had made its first appearance, catering to a demographic of adolescent girls. One of its sponsors - Ry-Krisp crackers – used the platform to launch their “Nobody Loves a Fat Girl” campaign. In 1972, Alex Comfort’s The Joy of Sex, explicitly stated that "if you are grossly overweight, set about losing it, whether you value your sex life or only your life.” In this politically correct era, the messages are more covert, but the attitudes have not changed very much.

What a travesty, really.  Of course, of the 64.5% of US adults who are overweight or obese, many are happily coupled. Like Oprah says -"…that's what love does: It fills you up…It makes you feel whole."  But as we continue to grow as a nation, what exactly are we all filling up on – love, or Ry-Krisp crackers? Of either, I always want second helpings! But as we continue to grow as a nation, what exactly are we all filling up on – love, or Ry-Krisp crackers?Of either, I always want

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