MeMe Roth of National Action Against Obesity announced that
“When I look at [American Idol winner and plus size model Jordin Sparks] I see diabetes, I see heart disease, I see high cholesterol. That’s what’s so sad about this – she is not the vision of health – she is the vision of ‘unhealth’… We have to stop with the ‘baby fat,’ ‘curvy,’ ‘goddess’ euphemisms and own this child health crisis.”
and while I say fair play to better child nutrition, this is the picture of unhealth to which Ms. Roth refers:
Doesn’t she look absolutely beastly? I mean, it’s amazing she can even get out of bed. She probably has to wash herself with a dead cat on a stick and when she dies they’ll just have to cut the house away from around her and remove her bloated, Winnebago-sized corpse with that helicopter they use for sea mammal transportation.
On the other hand, please meet one of the lucky few who Ms. Roth has deemed healthy enough to work as one of her campaigners, Mister Marc Anthony:
Once again.
Unhealthy:
Healthy:
Ew. Let me say that again. EEEWWWWW!
That is just disturbing beyond words.
Comment by Kristin — November 16, 2007 @ 11:14 am
Oh, I’d definitely feel and look better if I were a vampire meth-head! Who in their right mind thinks Jordin looks elegant and glamourous and -happy-, as well as someone you’d love to snuggle up to at night?
Ugh.
Comment by Diane — November 16, 2007 @ 11:25 am
this post is truly superfantastic!
Comment by amy — November 16, 2007 @ 11:54 am
Where do they get their numbers? Current research shows that people in the “overweight” BMI category (where Jordan clearly lies) are HEALTHIER than people in the “normal” category. So, I say, WTF?
Comment by jamy — November 16, 2007 @ 12:18 pm
Ms whatever is making an unqualified statement about someone else’s health based on appearance. For all she knows, Ms Jordin runs an hour a day, and so is at lower risk for heart/cholesterol/diabetes problems. Remember those crazy commercials with the skinny lady at some public event, where she trips and is embarrassed, and it’s about how you can look fine but have scary cholesterol? Same deal, no correlation except exercise tends to make you lose some weight. Many people exercise a lot and stay the same or gain weight. I do! I will never be as skinny as I was in high school, oh darn. I am so much healthier now.
Comment by gloria — November 16, 2007 @ 12:24 pm
People can be so incredibly stupid sometimes. Just from her short statement above, Ms. Roth strikes me as the type who — secretly — deeply hates herself and has devoted her life to tearing others down in the name of “healthy living.” In other words, she’s a grown-up schoolyard bully. That’s very sad for her; she must be a miserable human being inside.
Jordan is superfantastic and is a great role model for young girls. Ms. Roth is simply a monster.
Comment by K — November 16, 2007 @ 12:38 pm
The heaviest man I know has low cholesterol and tends to low blood sugar. I think you could easily fit three Jordin Sparks’ in him.
Marc Anthony looks like he should have been buried a week ago. In fact, he looks as though he rises from his grave at night to suck people’s blood.
MeMe Roth can eat my shorts.
Comment by Twistie — November 16, 2007 @ 12:51 pm
I love the Marc Anthony. But, he is certainly a scrawny one.
I don’t think MeMe Roth knows any fat people, truth be told. She’s probably afraid of getting ‘fat cooties” from them.
Comment by Dowdydiva — November 16, 2007 @ 12:56 pm
I’ve always rather liked Marc, too–I’m rooting for him. MeMe is not a very good spokesperson for her group. If she wants her message to matter to people, she’s going to have to sound a lot more reasonable, and a lot less histrionic, than that. Seriously, Jordan is very young, with plenty of time to slim down if her weight is a problem. I wish these people would realize they more they harp on comparatively thin people, the more faraway and unreachable healthy weights seem and the more discouraging it is for people–and the easier is it to shrug your shoulders and say “I can’t do that.”
Comment by Chaser — November 16, 2007 @ 1:56 pm
MeMe Roth needs a slap. I can’t stand the “THINK OF THE CHILDREN!!1!!” argument. Jordin looks gorgeous….perfect actually.
And it may be just me or it may be the fact that it’s finally Friday and I really need the weekend to get some sleep already, but does anyone else see that first picture of Mark Anthony (his shirt!) and think that it looks like he unexpectedly got his period in Science class and now he needs to tie a coat around his waist until he can get home and change…and what was he thinking wearing white at this time of the month? How embarrassing!
Comment by Procrastamom — November 16, 2007 @ 2:08 pm
Methinks if I ever look at MeMe Roth I’ll see bitchy, I’ll see judgmental, I’ll see too big for her britches.
Just sayin’. :)
Comment by sara — November 16, 2007 @ 2:13 pm
Living in Arkansas, (second in the nation in meth use), Marc Anthony fits the description of a meth head but his teeth are better. Jordin is beautiful and MeMe has the nerve to say she is the picture of “unhealthy”, I’m a size 16 and at my last physical I was told that I was amazingly healthy for a woman my size (skinny man doctor speaking). So to Marc, eat some biscuits and gravy and to MeMe, you are a judgmental bitch, take that shit somewhere else.
Comment by jen — November 16, 2007 @ 2:29 pm
“I wish these people would realize the more they harp on comparatively thin people, the more faraway and unreachable healthy weights seem and the more discouraging it is for people–and the easier is it to shrug your shoulders and say “I can’t do that.””
You are so, so right, Chaser. As for Ms. Roth, what exactly has happened to her in her life that makes her think it’s OK for an adult to call a 17-year-old girl “fat” on national TV and predict that she’ll spend her adult years dealing with horrible illnesses?
Comment by Melissa — November 16, 2007 @ 2:52 pm
Don’t Ms. Roth’s kind and wise words above make you just want to drop everything and do whatever she says?
Didn’t think so. Me, neither.
(And here I thought we were finally moving beyond one narrow set of universal numbers which define “healthy”. Silly me, actually reading research results.)
Comment by TropicalChrome — November 16, 2007 @ 3:48 pm
“Child Health Crisis”? Growing rates of childhood obesity due to inactivity and lack of nutrition is certainly a problem, but I really don’t see how Jordan at all represents this. In fact, she sort of reminds me of myself–I’m tall (5′ 10″) and just larger-framed, I’m 185 lbs and will never be “petite” or “small”, and based on what Ms. Roth said about Jordan, I guess I look like the picture of ‘unhealth’ too. The fact is, that I’m actually not– I’m a varsity college athlete who knows that what I put into my body is what I’ll get out of it, and works hard to reach my full athletic potential. I think the real problem this illustrates is judging people by their appearance or their BMI. BMI doesn’t take variation in muscle mass into account at all. In fact, studies show that for moderate to heavily active people, it is the worst indicator for being overweight or obese because of that fact. Technically, my BMI makes me ‘overweight’, but adding an inch to my height (which should hopefully account for a serious change in muscle mass) makes me ‘normal’. I don’t think Ms. Roth’s biggest problem is the ‘child health crisis,’ I think it’s her proliferation of the habit we have of classifying people based on bull**** information. But that’s just me…
That being said (ranted–I’m sorry), I think Jordan looks fabulous. Not all of us are built to be delicate little flowers—it would be unhealty to be at that low a weight–and kudos to her for owning the way she was made and looking fabulous while she does it.
Comment by crewbie — November 16, 2007 @ 4:23 pm
I think Ms. Roth is just hungry and jealous. Somebody should give her a cookie or something.
As for Jordin Sparks… Personally, I think she’s pretty HOT! I would LOVE to look like her. So she’s not a size 2. Has anyone ever seen someone over the age of 14 who was a size 2 and was truly healthy? And/or NOT on drugs? I haven’t.
Comment by Idalin — November 16, 2007 @ 4:52 pm
How many times must it be said: YOU CANNOT SEE HEALTH. You cannot “see” high blood pressure, or diabetes, or heart disease, or high cholesterol. I know thin people with all of the above, and fat people with none of the above. And vice versa.
Jordin Sparks is a lovely young woman by any standard.
What a bigoted, hateful piece of crap that MeMe Roth is.
Comment by Jezebella — November 16, 2007 @ 5:14 pm
Hey look, MeMe Roth’s blog:
http://weddinggownchallenge.blogspot.com/
I. Have. No. Words. Is this bitch for real? Here’s a gem:
“the wedding gown is symbolic of a time in a woman’s life when she’s entered into adulthood at a healthy weight, and intends to maintain that weight for a lifetime.”
Of course all you unmarrieds, or married not in a gown people can just go DIE of TEH FAT now.
“Annually, I invite all women to gather with their girlfriends, pull their wedding gowns from storage, and put them back on. The big laughs should come from the dated styles, not busted zippers.”
That sounds so fun. I’m putting together an evite right now.
“Redbook needs the courage to be honest with its readers and stop the patronizing articles. Instead of extolling the virtues of loving your body at any size, let’s ask women to love their bodies by keeping them healthy—and certainly offering advice that women become physically fit well before having children.””
Yeah. That’s what women’s magazines need MORE DIET ARTICLES. There aren’t nearly enough.
Comment by Abigail — November 16, 2007 @ 5:26 pm
Is MeMe her real name? Regardless, it seems that everything IS all about her.
Comment by me — November 16, 2007 @ 6:03 pm
“Yeah. That’s what women’s magazines need MORE DIET ARTICLES. There aren’t
nearly enough.”
This has been tickling around the back of my brain for a few weeks: when was the last time you saw an “eating plan” in a magazine that purported to be about healthy food for a normal week rather than a “diet” for slimming? I think the problem is we either see super indulgence or anorexia, there’s not much press for what’s healthy and moderate.
Comment by Sarah — November 16, 2007 @ 6:13 pm
MeMe Roth (no, not her real name) is someone who would be ranting on subways if she wasn’t “telegenic”. Jordin Sparks is a lovely girl with a bright future and I hope she doesn’t fall for the insane standards of Hollywood beauty.
As for Mr. Anthony… Well, I see those pics and I want to pick the poor dear up and tuck him into bed so he can sleep for a week or two. Or possibly send him to a clinic where they can give him all fresh, new blood. However, as much as he looks like a revenant, Marc may be perfectly healthy himself.
I’m not betting that way, though.
Comment by Sniper — November 16, 2007 @ 8:12 pm
From what I understand, the organization “National Action Against Obesity” has but one member…MeMe Roth.
Comment by deja pseu — November 16, 2007 @ 8:19 pm
Let’s not forget that Jordin’s father is a professional football player, and BMI is seriously inadequate especially when considering athletes and their muscle-bound ilk. It may be urban legend, but Michael Jordan is considered obese by the BMI, and hasn’t got an ounce of bodyfat. Let’s not think of how most football players would be classified. The girl has a right to have a little bigger frame.
My best friend’s little sister went to high school with Jordin (I know, it’s a friend of a friend of a friend thing, but it’s true) and from what I hear, Jordin’s a very disciplined, active, healthy young woman. And she’s gorgeous. And she’s got a happy, cheerful personality, which is what I think matters most.
Comment by QueSera — November 16, 2007 @ 8:49 pm
Idalin, I second that emotion. That poor chick is hungry.
Marc Anthony has ALWAYS been scrawny. In the movie, “The Time of the Butterflies”, he’s shirtless and it’s, well, it’s memorable. But I don’t think size is his “unhealthy”…it’s the smoking.
Comment by Urban Chick — November 16, 2007 @ 8:55 pm
I suspect that Miss Roth is one of those people who gush, “You look great!” at people who have lost weight because of serious illness. Ugh.
Comment by Sniper — November 16, 2007 @ 8:57 pm
MeMEEEE enraged me to such a degree that there is a bad typo in my comment. Or is it just an error? You know how sloppy us fat chicks are!
Comment by Abigail — November 16, 2007 @ 9:11 pm
I think Jordin isn’t even overweight. She is a normal healthy curvy woman. The perception of “normal” is so out of skew these days. Mr. Anthony epitomizes heroin chic – not healthy. I assume that MeMe (such a perfect name for her) thinks Mark’s spouse is grotesquely huge with her bodacious booty. MeMe should continue to focus on herher and not expose her idiocy to the world.
Comment by Joyce Morrison — November 16, 2007 @ 9:43 pm
Sigh…MeMeMeMEMEMEMEME(PAY ATTENTION TO ME AND MY ILL-INFORMED RANTS!) Roth should just take a flying leap of a cliff.You know.The kind that ends with a pit full of jagged rocks and rabid stoats.
Comment by La Lopez — November 16, 2007 @ 10:02 pm
Sigh…MeMeMeMEMEMEMEME(PAY ATTENTION TO ME AND MY ILL-INFORMED RANTS!) Roth should just take a flying leap off a cliff.You know.The kind that ends with a pit full of jagged rocks and rabid stoats.
Comment by La Lopez — November 16, 2007 @ 10:02 pm
Idalin says: “Has anyone ever seen someone over the age of 14 who was a size 2 and was truly healthy? And/or NOT on drugs? I haven’t.”
Hello. I am 37 years old, a size 2 (sometimes even a size 0), healthy except for having rheumatoid arthritis, which has nothing to do with my size, and NOT on drugs. Nice to meet you.
Comment by Cat — November 16, 2007 @ 10:04 pm
Also? This woman is a wackjob. Some more fun quotes from her blog:
Watch out for friends and colleagues. They’re quick to extend holiday greetings with a bounty full of fudge, home-baked cookies and indulgent treats, but what they’re really offering you is the fast-track to diabetes.
…
And yes, a raised eyebrow is the proper reception to a so-called friend bearing high-fat, high-risk gifts.
…
“Most women I know commit fraud on their wedding days–they weigh-in for the walk down the aisle with no expectation of maintaining that weight year after year,” said anti-obesity advocate, MeMe Roth.
…
Ms. Roth’s motivation? Being born into a long lineof obesity, having children of her own and fighting the battle of the bulge like everyone else.
http://weddinggownchallenge.blogspot.com/
I pity her children.
Comment by Cat — November 16, 2007 @ 10:15 pm
Why is obsessing about your weight not considered an eating disorder? Seriously, if you are spending so much time thinking and calculating and measuring to the neglect of other parts of your life (or if that [sigh] is your life) how can that be considered healthy? I don’t get it.
I also really wish people would just butt out of things that are not their business. What gives Ms. Roth or anyone but Ms. Sparks’ doctor the right to comment about her health? Especially publicly? It is incredibly rude.
Ms. Roth, don’t kid yourself. You are a national gossip. That is all you are. It isn’t helping anyone. It is damaging and hurtful.
Comment by Eilish — November 17, 2007 @ 1:21 am
Why put down a gorgeous, talented, size 12 young woman who is a perfect role model for teens everywhere? MeMe Roth probably adores the Skanks of the size 0 and 2 that have been in the news for DWI, crotch shots, and “like being really stupid like” (L.L, B.S., P.H., A.W.) She rants on obesity yet doesn’t seem to know what obese is. Six foot tall and size 12 it ain’t! What is her stance on the rampant rise in eating disorders in teens? Or does she have one herself? I guess it’s desirable to starve instead of accepting your body and making sure you are the best you can be….which is what Jordin has done….Oh and while I’m at it, plus size models typically are size 10 thru 14…Wouldn’t it be nice to see someone model a size 20 who really is a size 20?
Comment by Jennie — November 17, 2007 @ 1:22 am
In the early 80’s, when the concept of plus size models first took off, I did some modeling. The acceptable model size was 18-20. Over the years it’s gotten smaller and smaller, to the point where a model on last season’s Project Runway was called a “plus model”–at size 6!
Comment by Margo — November 17, 2007 @ 2:51 am
He is so skinny it hurts my eyes to look at him, and Jordin is a feast for the eyes. Boo on people who say differently!
Comment by kenju — November 17, 2007 @ 11:15 am
Hi Cat! Great to meet you too. :-) There are exceptions to everything.
Comment by Idalin — November 17, 2007 @ 5:13 pm
Jordin Sparks is gorgeous.
Mr. Anthony looks like he would dissolve in sunlight.
Comment by Simon Williams — November 17, 2007 @ 7:22 pm
I honestly never noticed this but: Marc Anthony’s eyes point in different directions.
That combined with the fact that he looks mildly like the Crypt Keeper, I can totally see why MeMe would pick him out as the epitome of health.
Comment by manderz — November 17, 2007 @ 8:41 pm
Reading this blog from European perspective is sometimes strange experience. We encounter the weight problem presented in American media as either articles about dieting etc. or “pro-big-girl” media, that try exactly what this blog is trying to do. It is as if there is no middle.
Meme Roth is a sad case, but in a way an illustration of this. She chooses Marc Anthony as a symbol of health, although the guy looks rather malnourished. I think she chose an entirely wrong target to talk about child health crisis in Jordin. Jordin doesn`t look unhealthy and isn`t that overweight, although, in my opinion, she *is* a bit too curvy for a 17 year old.
Anyway, this particular controversy isn`t a good starting point for discussion about obesity vs obsession with thinness/eating disorders in America, because the personalities of the three involved sort of overshadow what is going on. Roth is talking about legitimate problem, but she`s so crazy presents the problem in completely twisted way. Jordin is so adorable that even if I had her cholesterol rate report in my hand and had to tell her that she isn`t healthy, I`d feel bad about it – she is so lovely.
And Marc Anthony might be healthy, but his being one of many Mr. J.Los and maintaining an appearance of half-zombie doesn`t help – if he is symbol of health, then he doesn`t make health attractive.
Comment by benvenuta — November 17, 2007 @ 9:32 pm
Jordin looks lovely – great skin, great hair, great smile and a great body. She’s definitely looks stronger and healthier than Marc.
Give me unhealth if it looks like Jordin any day.
MeMeRoth (is that some sort of name of the devil thing like Beelzebub?) should be charged for inciting eating disorders and reinforcing unhealthy body images.
Comment by shiloh — November 19, 2007 @ 5:15 am
Hahah she really needs to give the self-congratulatory fat vigil stuff a rest.
Comment by Amber — November 19, 2007 @ 11:54 am
Please, people, let’s concentrate on the important stuff: WHERE DID JORDIN GET THE DRESS SHE IS WEARING IN THE SECOND PICTURE OMG*(#%)(IO1%$*#
On another note, it always weirds me out when people say things like “I don’t think Jordin is overweight.” “Overweight” is a medical term based on BMI — otherwise it would be totally meaningless, because over WHAT weight? And anyone who hasn’t seen the BMI Project would probably be SHOCKED how many people the BMI considers “overweight.” I think we need to acknowledge that Jordin is “overweight,” and talk about what that means for the medical and insurance businesses’ definitions of “normality,” and also what it means about the Shocking! Statistics! about how 66% or whatever of the population is “overweight or obese.”
Comment by Fillyjonk — November 19, 2007 @ 4:29 pm
Also, does anyone really know that Marc Anthony isn’t healthy? We don’t know about his meth use, any more than we know about Jordin’s blood sugar, which is of course the whole point.
Comment by Fillyjonk — November 19, 2007 @ 4:31 pm
Most women I know commit fraud on their wedding days–they weigh-in for the walk down the aisle
Erm… is she actually claiming that women about to be married “weigh in for the walk down the aisle”? Say what? They need to know their weight right then? It’s some sort of requirement, like taking the blood test?
If this woman does not have an eating disorder then I am a pumpkin.
Comment by jaed — November 20, 2007 @ 11:50 pm