Call me shallow, but I just don't find overweight women at all attractive. Ditto for overweight men, which group i'm sad to confess I now belong to, having been slim all my life until the last few years.

Would I hire an overweight person? Depending on the task. If it was for desk work, no problem, but I've had fat blokes working in the field in the past and it rarely works well. They are more prone to injury, lack stamina and sometimes they just get in the way through sheer bulk.

On the other hand, I'd say the same for very skinny people, who often lack strength as well as stamina.

Yes, generalisations, but reasonably well-founded. Moderation in all things is the key.

Hey Foxy, these suggestions of bravery required for this topic really caught my eye. Do grownups consider this an embaressing conversation?

I’ve never hired anyone for anything so can’t really answer that part. Like if a housekeeper or nanny or something I don’t think I’d care, the kids wouldn’t care.

Weight doesn’t bother me unless you’re talking extremes and with related health problems. Weirdly in all this time I have never fostered an over-weight child. Plenty with "food issues" which are the biggest pain to deal with although better than the other "control" issue.

I have always cycled up and down in weight in two year cycles, no idea why. Doesn’t bother me and I own a cupboard full of jeans in 3 different sizes. Recently the Dr said he wants me under 60kgs, I’m getting there (much slower than when I was younger though) but only to show him how awful I will look at 5’6” and below that weight and then I’m going straight to Burger King.

My first long term partner was really tall and skinny, my husband is built like a porta-loo.

I’m surrounded by healthy young gorgeous teens most days… feeling old bothers me.[smile] I want to be a well rounded cuddly nana in the future though and not a bony one.

It is no secret that being over weight is not healthy.

Neither is it a secret that people rightly or wrongly judge others by instinctive templates of vitality.

Given that the savvy employer will realise that combat readiness or ability to produce off spring are not essential requirements for an account manager.

However, the instinctive templates people are born with lead them to assign trust and competence with those that are closest to our ideals of "vitality" which means that representatives or managers that are physically attractive find it far easier to succeed.

Until I see models on the cat walk with a more robust super structure, I don't believe this will change.

Interesting topic, Foxy. While I am waiting for the clearance to post on the animal breeding thread, I may as well add my 2 cents worth here.

I have always had a high metabolism - lucky me, although if I consider my diet; I don't over indulge in fatty sugary food either. Suffering from ME, ensures I eat healthy but does limit my ability to exercise from what I used to do. Given that I manage to stay in shape, despite the difficulties, I do question why people eat so much junk when they do not have to.

I do feel uncomfortable around very fat people, because of the contrast - I wonder if they feel uncomfortable around me? I have never dated anyone overweight.

Which leads me to ask: Am I biased against overweight people?

Extremely obese yes, I am. However, a person's weight has no bearing (pun not intended) on character. As with gender, race or religion there are good and bad obese people.

I usually wait and see - and try not to form opinions immediately and I love being surprised when someone turns out to be a truly decent and compassionate being when I wasn't expecting them to be. I admit to being more wary with fat women simply because I have been bullied by some significantly stout females. Whereas the male bullies I have encountered in my life have been of ordinary dimensions.

G'Day All,
Yes Foxy a very brave post.
Well I can't say I wont go out with a fat person because I would have to stay in & not take myself out.
I am not overwieght to the extreme & the gut that I have is a little from gravity,A gut operation & ripped muscles from an accident in 1985.
I try to stay on a see food diet(that is see food & eat it). I stack 50kg bags of spuds which I don't see many skinny blokes lining up to do but then again I am not much good at the cutting of vegies that is better left to the skinny ones that can bend a little freer than I.
An old confusius saying he who die with fat belly dies with smile on face.
With all this aids my fat gut will be a sex symbol soon as everyone will say he's a fat one he hasn't got it.
Thanks have a great life(skinny or fat) from Dave

I've never had a weight problem - sure
I've gained weight at various times
of my life - but I've always managed to
lose it. I admit I'm a bit of a "gym,"
junkie - I go three times a week, as well
as doing daily evening runs around the local
park. The reason I'm so 'gung ho' on staying
fit is probably due to the fact that
my father died of a massive
coronary at the age of 52. And although I
have never judged anyone on their appearance
alone - I have to admit that I don't find
overly overweight people particularly
attractive - mainly because of health issues.
Being overweight or underweight - is simply
not healthy. As another poster said -
"Everything in moderation."

I know that you can't change risk factors like
age and your genetic background, but you can
do something about your weight, your waist,
and how active you are and your eating,
drinking, and smoking habits. Diabetes 2, today is
a very serious health problem. But then so is
anorexia.

Many so called "contemporary ailments," are in
truth, preventable. Unfortunately, modern
medical practice focuses primarily on the
treatment rather than the prevention of the
illness. On surgery for failed hearts - rather
than preventing the habits that led those hearts
to fail in the first place.

As for hiring overweight people - I've never had
to make the choice - however, it would depend
on the job - and if the person was grossly
overweight - or grossly underweight - I would
express my concern.

The people I dated in my younger days came in all shapes
and sizes. A person's weight was not an issue
with me at the time. My father at one stage would have settled
for my bringing home anyone he could have a decent
conversation with.