Why does Keira Knightley…?

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by drewm

Question by Jennifer: Why does Keira Knightley…?
I have noticed that when “eating disorders” and the “obsession to be thin” is discussed many people have pointed fingers at Keira Knightley and other figures in Hollywood receive blame for what may in fact be a natural body size.
And although anorexia is not an issue to be belittled and the media/our culture does push a desire to be thin onto women, the “revolution” of plus-sized models and “Curvy is Cool” representation may, perhaps unintentionally, be encouraging the obesity epidemic. I don’t mean to insult overweight people personally, but the fact is that over half of America is overweight and along with that, comes an increased risk for many, many medical issues, an obvious one being heart disease.

My womens and gender studies teacher showed us a powerpoint about eating disorders in which Keira Knightley was displayed beside Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen.
My sociology book had a picture of her too beside a caption that read, “The thinness craze encourages some people to extremes, as with Keira Knightley”.
I was just annoyed because it assumed she was unhealthy and trying to give off a “thin is in” impression to the world when in interviews she has actually said, “I am quite sure I don’t have anorexia”. She went on to assert that she was naturally thin.
I really feel that even though typically we may see “fat” women as targeted in our society, often thin women experience the same objectification.

Do you think it is often assumed that women with very thin frames have eating disorders? I tend to think this perception, if true, is off base because some women are naturally thin, and though their BMI may point to “anorectic” they really do have fast metabolisms and tiny bone structures… why isn’t this differentiated between someone with pathological behavior? And why is it becoming “okay” in our society to be overweight? I don’t see people attacking or pinning supposed compulsive eating disorder labels on plus sized celebrities such as Queen Latifah…

Best answer:

Answer by C²
I couldn’t agree more. There is an obesity epidemic going on (in America) and people are now saying it’s ok to be fat. Being thin doesn’t mean that you’re unhealthy. I’m very thin (my BMI is only 16.6), but I eat like anyone else. Celebrities shouldn’t be blamed for the self-esteem issues of others. Yes, there is pressure to be thin in Hollywood, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t celebrities that happen to be naturally thin.

There is a constant argument that the average size of the American woman if a size 14, and that’s only because of the huge obesity epidemic.

Thin women are objected just as much, if not more, than overweight women. There are many times people think I have some kind of problem because of my weight. I feel self-conscious about not eating around others in fear that people will think I have a disorder.

I realize that everyone isn’t going to be a size 2, but saying that being a 14 or 16 isn’t exactly healthy either. The media needs to praise healthy women.

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