Posted by: Gen V. Caracena

Society is so focused on approving much smaller bodies and because of this a lot of women suffered from negative body image. Given the mindset that thin is beautiful, they forget to realize that size is not a limitation on what they can do on their lives and on what they can offer to the world. Our limitation to do things is not based on size. It is based on what we believe and feel about ourselves.

What we see in Hollywood, print and tv ads that portray extremely thin and extremely made over talents and models is not a real life. If we take them as our standard of being beautiful, then we can never live a happy life. Realistically happiness and fulfillment can never be based on size. Living proof of that you can see countless of happy, successful and fulfilled curvy women.

To bombard the internet world with size positive messages, online plus size lingerie retailer AboutCurves.com initiates the launching of the first annual blogging charity campaign that promotes size-acceptance and self-acceptance of women across the globe.

From August 8^th to 21^st , the campaign dubbed as “Lingerie Loves Your Curves” seeks participants from across the globe to blog topics about size-acceptance to combat industries that make money from women’s lack of self-esteem.

About Curves takes the lead in this blogging campaign initiative because:

Women are bombarded every day with messages that they are not beautiful enough. About Curves is fighting back with a “Lingerie Loves Your Curves” charity drive. This two-week “blogathon” event is dedicated to size acceptance and self-acceptance based on the philosophy of health at every size. Let’s fight back against industries that make money from women’s lack of self-esteem, and share our stories so that we can help empower women everywhere. Let’s celebrate our curves!

If you’re a blogger, the blogathon event seeks you to blog your own experiences on size acceptance and self-esteem and help raise society’s level of awareness on these issues.  The event also aims to raise money for the promotion of the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance, a non-profit organization dedicated to ending size discrimination in all of its forms.

If you wish to respond to the call of About Curves in supporting size acceptance and self-acceptance of women, there are 4 ways in which you can get involved. To find the details, click the banner above.

1. Promote the event on your website
2. Donate to the cause
3. If you’re a blogger, participate in the event. CLICK HERE for the possible topics you can write.
4. Spread the word through social media networks

The Plus Size Advocate - Plus Size Fashion, News & Events

Posted by: Gen V. Caracena

In our society and culture that associate thinness to beauty and success, the phenomenon of eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia has become a major health issue affecting young people especially girls and women who usually are prone to size discrimination. Sadly, there have been reports that tell about the existence of numerous sites and blogs that support and promote the spread of eating disorders incidence.

Spanish political group the Convergence and Union (CIU) has presented a proposal to the Government, urging them to take action against eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia in Spain. Read the entire blog post here: Allwalks.org

Related articles:

1. Italian Vogue Petitions Against Pro-Anorexia Websites

2. Disturbing Online Secret Society Embraces Anorexia

3. A Study Found That Teens With Eating Disorders Are More Vulnerable To Suicidal Thoughts

The Plus Size Advocate - Plus Size Fashion, News & Events

NAAFA offers another HAES scholarship in 2011 to encourage further study across a variety of disciplines that incorporates Health At Every Size (HAES) tenets and principles and to support the civil right efforts to end size discrimination and bias.

For Immediate Release
April 20, 2011

Foster City, CA – In the hopes of encouraging further study across a variety of disciplines that incorporate Health At Every Size (HAES) tenets and principles and to support the civil right efforts to end size discrimination and bias, NAAFA is once again offering its HAES Scholarship to be awarded at their 2011 Convention being held at the Westin Washington Dulles Airport Hotel August 4-8, 2011.

NAAFA’s first HAES Scholar Jenny Copeland, utilized the scholarship to present her research at the American Public Health Association’s Annual Meeting in Denver, Colorado. ‘This is exactly how we envisioned the purpose of the scholarship; allowing bright minds to further pursue their research and opportunities to highlight their work. We are so proud of our NAAFA’s first HAES Scholar Jenny and NAAFA is committed to offering another scholarship in 2011”, states Lisa Tealer, Board Member and Director of Programs.

Undergraduate and graduate students from accredited academic institutions, which utilize Health at Every Size tenets in their studies and research are eligible to apply for the NAAFA HAES Scholarship. Students interested in being considered for this scholarship can find complete details and an application at:

http://www.naafaonline.com/convention2011//schedule/HAESscholarship.html

The application deadline is June 1st, 2011

Founded in 1969, NAAFA is a non-profit human rights organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for fat people. NAAFA works to eliminate discrimination based on body size and provide fat people with the tools for self-empowerment through public education, advocacy, and member support.

On the web: http://www.naafa.org

For more information contact:
Peggy Howell, Public Relations Director
National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance (NAAFA)
e-mail: pr@naafaonline.com

The Plus Size Advocate - Plus Size Fashion, News & Events

Posted by: Gen V. Caracena

Italian Vogue, the magazine par excellence that deals with and promotes aesthetics and beauty, openly expressed via online their strong position to stamp-out pro-anorexia or pro-eating disorders websites and blogs.

In their research, they found that these sites and blogs are abounding on the web that triggers the spreading of eating disorders phenomenon. These sites do not only promote eating disorders, but also drives young people to be competitive about their body image.

With this major health issue affecting the young people, Vogue Italia had initiated a petition calling for a legislation to close down pro-anorexia websites. To seek support to the petition, they have launched an online signature campaign.

The story of the face of anorexia Isabelle Caro, a French model who died at age 28 last November shocked the fashion industry after appearing naked in a controversial ad campaign “No Anorexia”. Her photograph showed her vertebrae and facial bones revealing under her skin.

Please read here the  “SIGN THE PETITION” full text and take your  stance about the issue.

The Plus Size Advocate - Plus Size Fashion, News & Events

Posted by: Gen V. Caracena

Pepsi is one of the official sponsors of Mercedes-Benz-Fashion Week from February 10 to 17, 2011 at Lincoln Center where they are launching their Diet Pepsi product under a new branding and new campaign slogan “Get the Skinny”.

The re-branded Diet Pepsi drink comes in an attractive new can, which is thinner than the older style. Pepsi promises that the refreshing“Diet Pepsi” contains zero sugar, zero calories and zero carbohydrate, which will be distributed in stores nationwide in March.

Diet Pepsi booths will be prominent at the front and center at Lincoln Center offering onsite refreshment.

Pepsi said that their new branding and slogan “Get the Skinny” is a celebration of a beautiful and confident woman. Are they trying to say that to be beautiful and confident, one has to be skinny? Is this some kind of affirmation or reinforcement to the skinny mindset in the modeling industry? Is the “Get the Skinny” slogan not a discriminatory message against women of fuller figures?

What about the campaign call across the globe that we should celebrate women of all shapes and sizes?

What can you say about this slogan?

Beauty and confidence can never be measured by size. As for me, I am confident in my own skin because I am God’s masterpiece, fearfully and wonderfully woven in His loving hands.  God shaped us all beautifully according to his own purpose and calling.

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The Plus Size Advocate - Plus Size Fashion, News & Events