There is a definite 'fascism' in the air about 'fat' people now that smoking has been eradicated. Some NHS trusts won't conduct operations on people with a high BMI. Life insurers stack your premium if you have a high BMI. The body mass index is utter nonsense, your bodyfat percentage is a much better indicator as you can be short and heavy ie a rugby player, weightlifter and be perfectly fit. For me, larger ladies will always be sexier and luckily for me, my gorgeous size 20 wife also likes short stocky men. Skinnies, get on yer bike!

Andy, Suffolk,

Great article!

I think that there is no perfect size or shape as beauty is in the eye of the beholder and it is wrong that the media ( and to be fair, the femail population) pepetuate this myth that to be successful and popular you need to be skinny. Be healthy and be happy I say.

I'm sporting the odd roll of fat for sure but have just had two nice chaps write cheeky poems about my charm and wit so excuse me while I go get a biscuit to go with my coffee......

B, Hong Kong,

I'm the skinniest gal in my family - and I'm a 16! I love the way I look and I love the way my (natural) bust looks!! I agree that plus size ladies wear lacks pizzazz. And clothes are made for beanpoles and scaled up without regard for curves (if you doubt this check out the jeans! Hip size 16, waist size 22). So I make my own. My husband of 12 years can't get enough...

What I hate is this government sponsored crucifixion of anyone over size 12. All those dying anorexic 12 year olds should be weighing on someone's conscience!! Lay off the luscious ladies! Fine, provide low cost exercise facilities. I agree that not all plus sizes are natural and not all are healthy, but my 25 stone granny lived to 89, no diabetes or anything else!

Moral of the story? Don’t be skinny, be you!

Su, Godalming,

I am in favour of people being people, not autonoms, following every fickle fashion. Stick Insects are not my bag, but apparently every woman in the world, according to the media is literally dieing to be so.
I would suggest the media represent the underdog in this situation, namely, larger persons, what a refreshing change that would be. In this world, where if your not size 10 or you smoke, or a teenager on the street, or single parented or your not of a particular minority . You pritty much can expect to be villainised and scrutinised to anyones malcontent.

I state the first line from Pastor Niemollers, poem. "First They Came for the Jews..and I did not speak out "

It is only a matter of time dear friends.

Peter Hagan, Liverpool, England

Why can't people just accept that NEITHER fat nor extremely thin is beautiful. Wobbly, undulating folds of cellulite ridden flesh are no more attractive than bones poking through skin. Starving yourself to Nicole Ritchie proportions is deemed unhealthy and skinny models are blamed for young people becoming anorexic so why promote obesity as good when the next thing we know fat singers will be being blamed for the rise in obese children.

Jo, Southend on Sea,

I have been a singer for 25 years, currently a size 22. I feel good, I feel sexy, I feel confident. The only reason I would want to weigh less is cos I would like a sexier, funkier, sassier wardrobe than is available to me now.
BUT dispell the misconception than we all stuff our faces - my lunchbox today has 3 pieces of fruit, carrot and coriander soup, and water, my preferred drink over coffee or pop. Its not a diet, I like it! I might have choc tomorrow if I fancy it. Its metabolism and thyriod issues - NATURAL. Granted I dont exercise much (3 hours singing and dancing every week, loading my own PA, and an active sexlife aside), but nor do my thin friends!
I dont care whats in fashion or who else is carrying a few extra pounds - size 14 is still smaller than the average woman in UK. Get a life and live it, without guilt, paranoia and envy, enjoy yourself whatever your size cos life's too short.

Penny Griffiths, Coventry, UK

In the end it is all about being comfortable in your own skin and at your own size. You can be happy being a size 20 and unhappy at size 10. It is all in the mind.

Charlotte, Ealing, United Kingdom

Alright then, thin is out and fat is in now. Right, got it. Whew! A modern girl has SO many responsibilities to keep up with!

I know this was meant as a body-positive gesture. But the result is less than effective:

"[Thin women] were fun for a while, in a car-crashy kind of way, weren’t they? All that gossip and bitchery. But they weren’t very ... sexy. [T]hey don’t do so well at inspiring lasciviousness, awe and plain ol’ dirty thoughts. For that, you need a lady with some flesh on her bones."

What are we being told we're supposed to feel good about? That us larger women can finally finally come in handy for something? Please don't try to sell this bull to us anymore.

Wendy, Detroit,

Interesting article i think all the women mentioned are beautiful and talented. I don't think there should be so much emphasis on size but unfortunately there is.

Being skinny does not automatically make you beautiful, its also the person you are. I know some very slim girls with figures to die for but, with the no personality and as interesting as a paper bag! I also have larger friends who light up a room when they walk into it, so its not all about size is it?

Although a size 18 myself (despite constant dieting) i always try to look smart and sexy. It must work because i certainly am not short of attention when i go out. So i think there are many men out there who like curvier women, its just that we have the skinny image thrust down our throats all the time as being the perfect image, and one we should all aspire to.

Carolyn, Yorkshire, England

It's a short-sighted viewpoint really because there would never be an article like this about fat men in rock n' roll looking good. Holding up the likes of Ditto as if to say 'isn't it great that despite/because of their appearance they can still ROCK' is surely part of the problem.

Helen Sheavils, Barnstaple, UK

I (size 18) and my friend (size 8) both find this article annoying and slightly offensive, not to mention patronising. It is just another example of women being reduced to thier looks (specifically their size). We love the women mentioned in this article for their musical talent, love of life, and appealing personalities - not for the number in their clothes.

Also, try not to forget that to compliment one woman does not have to mean insulting another. Surely declaring slim women as unsexy is as bad as saying the same about fat women?

Anna and Lucy, London, UK

So if we are all in praise of the larger(normal) lady why are we bombared with images of super-thin models in the style mag?
a bit of a contradiction i think.

louise, san francisco, caifornia

I read this with a big grin - finally my people are acknowledged! Taking our cues from the burlesquers made popular by Dita von Teese, curvy girls everywhere are leading a revolution in vintage 40s and 50s get up, brash lipstick and bright eyeshadows - and it is so nice when our efforts are recognised. Signed a sexy size sixteen and proud! ;)

Caroline, Newcastle upon Tyne,

When you live the life you love, everything else just falls naturally into place...

Anna, Athens, Greece

Since when was a UK size 14 fat??? Clothes manufacturers cut their clothes to suit their customers, so let's get away from this size-descriptive culture when talking about women's bodies. My vital stats get me into a UK 12-14, dependant on the cut & fit of the clothes store I buy from. If that makes me pudgy then bring it (and the cake) on! But I can run 10K in under 60mins, a better time than a (taller, size 8) colleague.

running bunny, Salford,