lifestyle

Japanese TV show fills us in on 'the right and wrong kind of fat woman'

23 Comments

Last week, a Twitter user posted a chart that they saw on morning television. The show was running a special on large-sized women and classified two types: “OK Chubby” and “NG Chubby” (No Good Chubby). Once put online, many overweight Twitterers found the show’s infographic both a little controversial and a little sad.

At left is a translated recreation of the original infographic.

Many Twitter users despondently responded saying “I’m an NG Fattie!” while only a few could proudly proclaim “Yay! I’m OK chubby! I win!” Most others took issue with the fact that this program seemed to take neither health nor the person’s character into account when deciding what is OK and what is not.

“Personally, I think both are NG Fatties,” was the sentiment of the original poster which was retweeted thousands of times. Others added to it asking, “The OK chubby seems kind of like a jerk…”

Some “NG Chubbies” called BS saying that any woman with the time to be a big eater would use it to try and lose weight. Another went as far as saying, “I don’t think so. Even OK Chubbies know in the end, everyone is attracted to a thin woman. It’s just the way it goes, isn’t it?”

Source: Naver Matome

Read more stories from RocketNews24. -- The importance of “aisatsu” -- Japan learns the meaning of “sausage party” -- South Korean Man Arrested for Retweeting

© RocketNews24

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.


23 Comments
Login to comment

Even OK Chubbies know in the end, everyone is attracted to a thin woman.

Not everyone. I used to live with a guy who preferred chubby women. To each their own.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Maybe the NG Chubbie is sad and depressed/wears dark clothing precisely because they are a small eater, exercise, and still can't lose weight? In Japan, where people aren't slow to say stuff like, "You're fat" (even when you're nowhere near obese and are just carrying a few extra pounds) there is tremendous pressure for people to be skinny.... but realistically not everyone's body chemistry works like that.

The Good Chubbie is happy because, despite social messages, they see themselves as an attractive female. I salute their self-confidence and positive self-image, but these people are the exception, not the rule, and it takes a very strong person to ignore people saying, "You're fat, you should eat less", and respond with, "No, I'm me and I'm happy with who I am... and is anyone going to eat that last slice of cake, because it is delicious!".

2 ( +8 / -5 )

because they are a small eater, exercise, and still can't lose weight?

That would be impossible as they would be violating the first rule of thermodynamics. If you actually watch what you eat and exercise to cause a caloric deficit from your TDEE, you WILL lose weight. Most people only think they are "small eaters" because they don't realize the whopping number of calories in what they consume.

I'm all for people being self-confident and happy with who they are, but there is no such thing as healthy obesity, and fat acceptance is counter-productive to a healthy society. Sure, don't hate yourself because you're fat, that's wrong. However, you should realize you have a problem and you need to take care of yourself. This sort of thing is just a cop out and a way to rationalize your failures when it comes to proper diet and exercise.

8 ( +15 / -7 )

John Occupythemoon DalyJan. 16, 2014 - 10:18AM JST

because they are a small eater, exercise, and still can't lose weight?

That would be impossible as they would be violating the first rule of thermodynamics. If you actually watch what you eat and exercise to cause a caloric deficit from your TDEE, you WILL lose weight. Most people only think they are "small eaters" because they don't realize the whopping number of calories in what they consume.

Sadly you are mistaken. You make the incorrect assumption that everyone's digestion operates in precisely the same manner, that everyone's body uses the energy obtained from food in the same manner, and that in everyone the percentage of excess energy converted to fat is precisely the same.

A more educated opinion would be quick to point out that digestion is not standard. Recent research has discovered that the quantity and type of bacteria in the digestive tract have a strong influence on the quantity of nutrients and energy extracted from different types of food. Likewise metabolic rate plays a critical role in energy use, how efficiently energy is used and at what rate it is used. Metabolic rate is influenced by factors such as caloric restrictions (they tend to slow down the metabolic rate), sleep, availability of certain nutrients for the manufacture of hormones, as well as conditions such as hyperthyroidism. Another consideration is the conversion of excess energy into fat, which is regulated by chemicals such as insulin. Insulin levels vary widely depending on a range of factors such as sleep, the type of food consumed, as well as conditions such as diabetes.

And of course there are variables relating to the type of food consumed, and the degree to which it is digested. Etc.. etc... etc...

Your simplistic assumption that someone eating smaller portions, exercising and still not losing weight is "violating the first rule of thermodynamics" simply shows your lack of knowledge of this subject matter, and you would be better off educating yourself a bit more on the topic.

I'm all for people being self-confident and happy with who they are, but there is no such thing as healthy obesity, and fat acceptance is counter-productive to a healthy society. Sure, don't hate yourself because you're fat, that's wrong. However, you should realize you have a problem and you need to take care of yourself. This sort of thing is just a cop out and a way to rationalize your failures when it comes to proper diet and exercise.

Firstly, a correction. Do not conflate the terms "fat" and "obesity". They are two very different conditions. Someone can be fat (i.e. of above average weight) without being obese.

There are also many reasons why someone could be doing everything right and still be unable to lose weight. Individuals like you, who think that it is purely a matter of how much you eat, are a bit part of the reason for fat people being unhappy. I sincerely hope that one day you are fat, and realise that it is more complex than just limiting your food intake.

-3 ( +11 / -14 )

I sincerely hope that one day you are fat, and realise that it is more complex than just limiting your food intake.

Thanks. I'll keep motoring my food intake and lifting weights like a hoss and see how fat I get.

4 ( +10 / -6 )

John Occupythemoon DalyJan. 16, 2014 - 04:12PM JST Thanks. I'll keep motoring my food intake and lifting weights like a hoss and see how fat I get.

Sure, you keep doing that. In fact, keep a food diary and an exercise diary and make sure you keep eating the same amount and exercising the same amount.

... then come back in 10 years and apologise because your metabolism has slowed down and the same amount of food and exercise now has you in perfect shape to audition for Porky the Pig.

Of course I won't be waiting, but I know this is going to happen so I'll just take that apology now.

-7 ( +6 / -13 )

in fact, keep a food diary and an exercise diary and make sure you keep eating the same amount and exercising the same amount.

Actually a good idea. Recently a man ate at McDonald's every day for 90 days, recorded everything he ate, made healthy choices, walked 45 minutes a day... and lost 37 pounds.

... then come back in 10 years and apologise because your metabolism has slowed down and the same amount of food and exercise now has you in perfect shape to audition for Porky the Pig.

See, that's why you have to be smart and adjust your TDEE for age, activity level, and many other factors. If you really want to do something about your weight, you can go see a nutritionalist (if you really can't handle it on your own) and they can come up with a plan that WILL help you to lose weight 99.9% of the time (assuming you actually follow it). Yes, there are VERY rare cases where weight cannot be controlled with diet and exercise, but those are few and far between and EVEN THEN you will not balloon to the levels you see so many people at today.

Obviously people at 18/25/40 etc. years old need to be treating their bodies differently, but the idea that you can just excuse being 20 pounds or more overweight because it's "not your fault" is destructive mental gymnastics to shield yourself from your own insecurities.

So, yes, I am sorry that society is on track to endorse the idea of health at every size and, yet again, allow people to shirk responsibility for their own shortcomings. I guess I'm to blame... if only... if only I could lift HARDER! The only Porky Pig audition I'll be going to is for GOING HAM!

So, to sum up, certainly love yourself. However, if you notice you're gaining weight and don't understand why, start tracking your caloric intake and exercise. If you're noticing you're taking in a whole lot more than you're expending... instead of shrugging your shoulders, DO SOMETHING about it.

-1 ( +6 / -7 )

John Occupythemoon DalyJan. 16, 2014 - 06:23PM JST See, that's why you have to be smart and adjust your TDEE for age, activity level, and many other factors.

But you started out saying that eating the same amount and exercising, but not losing weight, "would be impossible as they would be violating the first rule of thermodynamics."...

But now you're admitting that age, and "many other factors" play a role... perhaps with time you'll realise that these other factors include things like diabetes, thyroid problems and other medical reasons that mean that for many people they can't control their weight by simply altering their diet or exercise levels...

Then maybe, just maybe, you'll realise what a monumentally judgemental ass you've been. Although I don't hold out much hope for you, since you're incapable of even apologising for your stupid comment about the laws of thermodynamics.

-6 ( +5 / -11 )

Frungy, did you even read my post?

If you actually watch what you eat and exercise to cause a caloric deficit from your TDEE, you WILL lose weight. Most people only think they are "small eaters" because they don't realize the whopping number of calories in what they consume.

TDEE is based on gender, age, height, weight, and activity level. It is an adjustable metric that works in almost all cases. If you cause a daily caloric deficit you will lose weight. If you burn more calories than you consume, that will lead to weight loss in almost all cases. It doesn't get any clearer than that. I do admit, as I posted earlier, that there are some very rare cases where diet and exercise will have no impact on weight... but almost never. In almost all cases people can drop surprising amounts of weight by cutting out sweets, soda pop, juice, snacks, etc., and even more if they move from a sedentary lifestyle to one of moderate exercise a few days a week. I think the problem is controllable (again, in almost all cases) by personal choice, and I don't feel the need to validate other people's shortcomings because they have become uncomfortable with the consequences of their choices.

I guess we can't agree to disagree here, because stating that almost everyone who is overweight has the power within them take control of their lives, eat healthier, possibly start exercising, and lose weight makes me a bad person.

I appreciate the attacks on my character, too. Thanks for that.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

But I like chubby women! Skinny women have no body at all!

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Either way, this is fat shaming and wrong. People forget that High Fructose Corn Syrup was invented in Japan, and Japan, along with the US, puts it in a huge swath of processed foods and sauces. The Japanese traditional diet, which is very healthy, is being pushed aside in favor of an embrace of the Standard American Diet that would make even Americans embarrassed. Check out some of the super-sized entrees at Japanese fast food places! It's insane! The Japanese are also far more disinclined to exercise than even Americans...my friend Stu Levy is trying to change that with his "Super 40" videos on YouTube, and there are others trying to get Japanese people to get up and go. But it's slow going. It is only a matter of time before a higher percentage of Japanese become "Chubbies." For those curious about Super 40, here: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCydBVd_LNyLMtAWndY8aSNQ (Note: in Japanese, no English subs)

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Not cool Japan. I happen to like shy girls.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Wait what people in Japan call fat other countries consider perfect or ok!! What Japan considers perfect some countries considered the women malnourished stick women!! !!! It is what it is!

3 ( +4 / -1 )

I think that I have seen both these types of women (and men) and I believe their major concern should not be "weight" but mental health. I have seen people here in Japan who would fit into the "wrong" category and they were in reasonable physical weight standards, but they suffered more from a mental issue that made them feel like they needed be downcast, and didn't try to do anything to change their situation and just gave up. Whle those who had a more positive mental attitude, showed it in the way they dressed and acted.

Japan is full of fashion trends that otherwise normal people may find extreme and not. But the real issue I think is that the attitude they carry themselves is more important, rather than worry about the weight and how one should dress.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

sigh some people arguing here. I am experienced in losing weight and monitoring my diet and exercise. I used to exercise heavily and wrote down everything I ate and calculated the calorie intake. Over 4 years I lost 80 pounds. The I plateaued and eventually injured myself. I still calculate my calories and I exercise daily but not heavy anymore due to doctors order...my weight never goes up or down anymore. Sometimes it has to do with how your body works it's not all about monitoring diet and exercise. Someone like me had to do heavy exercise daily just to lose 80 pounds and I ended up injuring my shoulders and my knees to the point that I am only allowed to walk or light jog with a brace.

So yes there are people who are small eaters and still can't lose weight.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

Both are NG

1 ( +2 / -2 )

FrungyJAN. 16, 2014 - 03:49PM JST

Metabolic rate is influenced by factors such as caloric restrictions (they tend to slow down the metabolic rate), sleep , ...... Another consideration is the conversion of excess energy into fat, which is regulated by chemicals such as insulin. Insulin levels vary widely depending on a range of factors such as sleep ......

Newsflash. Sloth makes you fat.

Nothing wrong with what OccupyTheMoon said, or this article. I'd take an active big eater over a low-cal couch potato any day.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Moe cushion for the pushin.'

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Fat normalization is just as bad as fat shaming. One hurts people emotionally, and the other allows them to hurt themselves physically. Fat normalization is a disservice to both the individual and to society.

And while there are an extremely small number of people who cannot lose weight due to medical issues such as thyroid problems, this is not true for the overwhelming majority of overweight people. These are just the excuses people tell themselves to justify their being overweight.

You show me an overweight person, and 99 times out of 100, if not more, I'll show you someone who isn't willing to make the lifestyle changes and commitment it would take to get to a healthy weight (which doesn't necessary equal skinny). Almost anyone can lose weight if they choose to. Most people don't chose to, or they do, but they do it almost as a binge, then bounce back to where they were. This is because they look at losing weight as something to do, that will be completed, rather than treating weight loss as requiring a permanent sustainable lifestyle change.

In short, people convince themselves that they can't lose weight, and justify it to themselves, because the alternative is more than they are willing to handle.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Personal accountability is very important, but let's not let Big Food and Big Pharma abdicate responsibility for immensely profitable inaction on the issue.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I agree, but that still fits into my claim that they are not willing to make that change. Their mental health issues may make that change harder to make, but mental health issues are all in the head. They are not physical barriers to losing weight.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites