Post: #1

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/28...39104.html

RIO DE JANEIRO — Tall and tan and young and ... chunky?

The Girl From Ipanema has put on a few pounds, and for many sunbathers on Brazil's beaches the country's iconic itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny bikini just doesn't suffice anymore.

A growing number of bikini manufacturers have woken up to Brazil's thickening waistline and are reaching out to the ever-expanding ranks of heavy women with new plus-size lines.

That's nothing short of a revolution in this most body-conscious of nations, where overweight ladies long had little choice but to hit the beach in comely ensembles of oversized T-shirts and biker shorts.

"It used to be bikinis were only in tiny sizes that only skinny girls could fit into. But not everyone is built like a model," said Elisangela Inez Soares as she sunbathed on Copacabana beach, her oiled-up curves packed into a black size 12 bikini.

"Finally, it seems like people are beginning to realize that we're not all Gisele," said the 38-year-old mother of four, referring to willowy Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen.

Clothing designer Clarice Rebelatto said her own swimwear-hunting travails prompted her to found Lehona, an exclusively plus-size beachwear line.

"Honestly, the problem went way beyond just bikinis. In Brazil, it used to be that if you were even a little chunky, finding any kind of clothes in the right size was a real problem," said Rebelatto, herself a size 10. "And I thought, `I'm actually not even that big compared to a lot of women out there, so if I have problems, what are they doing?'"

Since its launch in 2010, the line has become a hit.


In brash leopard spots and flower prints not meant for wallflowers, the label's 14 bikini styles aren't what you'd normally associate with plus-size swimsuits. The necklines plunge dramatically. Straps are mere strings. And while the bottoms provide too much coverage to qualify for the famed "fio dental" or "dental floss" category of Brazilian string bikinis, they're significantly more audacious than the standard U.S. cut.

"We're working from the principle that bigger women are just like everyone else: They don't want to look like old ladies, wearing these very modest, very covering swimsuits in just black," said Luiz Rebelatto, Clarice's son and director of Lehona.

He said that recent publicity of the brand and several other new swimwear lines catering to plus sizes has triggered an overwhelming number of calls and e-mails from would-be customers.

"They're all excited and they say, `I've been looking everywhere for a bikini like that. Where can I get one?'" said Rebelatto.

Lehona is currently sold exclusively at big and tall specialty stores throughout Brazil. Its bikinis retail for about 130 reais or $75 – a relatively high price-point here, but Rebelatto said sales have grown at a galloping pace, though he did not provide any figures.

It's the same story at Acqua Rosa, a conventional swimwear label that added a plus-size line in 2008. Now, plus-size purchases account for more than 70 percent of the brand's total sales, said director Joao Macedo.

It makes sense.

For centuries, large swaths of Brazil were beset by malnutrition, and in 1970, nearly 10 percent of the population in the country's poor, rural northeast region was considered underweight, according to Brazil's national statistics institute.

But the phenomenal economic boom that has lifted tens of millions out of poverty and into the burgeoning middle class over the past decade has also changed the nation's once-svelte physique: A 2010 study by the statistics institute showed that 48 percent of adult women and 50 percent of men are now overweight. In 1985 those figures were 29 percent for women and 18 percent for men.

(Still, there's been no rash of plus-size male swimwear lines, as men here wear Speedo-style suits that don't impinge on big guts.)

Analysts attribute Brazil's rapidly widening girth to changes in nutrition, with chips, processed meats and sugary soft drinks replacing staples like rice, beans and vegetables.

And while the country's elite are widely known to be fitness freaks – and also among the world's top consumers of cosmetic surgery – those recently lifted out of poverty and manual labor are becoming increasingly sedentary. A 2008 study showed that barely 10 percent of Brazilian teens and adults exercise regularly.

Still, despite their growing numbers, not everyone is eager to embrace "gordinhas" – or "little fatties," as chunky women are affectionately known here.

Many high-end bikini-makers have turned a seemingly deliberately blind eye to the burgeoning plus-size market. Rio-based upmarket brand Salinas, for example, offers five sizes, from extra-small through extra-large. But their sizing runs notoriously small and it's hard to imagine anyone over a size 6 actually managing to fit into any of the brand's minuscule two-pieces.

Luis Rebelatto of Lehona chalked it partially up to snobbery.

"Some brands, they don't want their image to be associated with chunky women," he said. "Only the thin, the rich and the chic."

While Brazilians' increasing heft is a public policy preoccupation for the government, growth in the ranks of the overweight population has given them increased visibility in Brazilian society. Extra-wide bucket seats for the obese have been installed in Sao Paulo's metro system, and on Sunday the city will host Brazil's first ever Miss Plus Size beauty contest.

"It used to be that people would stare at me," said Soares, the voluptuous sun-worshiper on Copacabana beach. "Now when I come to the beach I see women who are much bigger than me – and lots of them are wearing bikinis – so I'm not self conscious any more.

"God makes some people thin but he made me like this," she said, rubbing down the well-oiled bulge of her stomach and thighs. "So who am I to think that he was wrong?"

Post: #2

I complained about the obesity breakout in Brazil many times, but guys here think I'm crazy!

Most girls I saw in rio were fat girls, and old geezers in Speedos 2 sizes too small. barf!

Even the young guys in their mid 20's wore speedos 2 sizes too small. nasty!


Mixx

Post: #3

(01-29-2012 01:26 PM)Caramel Communist Wrote:  Extra-wide bucket seats for the obese have been installed in Sao Paulo's metro system, and on Sunday the city will host Brazil's first ever Miss Plus Size beauty contest.

Fat acceptance already well on its way. Bad sign. Worse to come.

(01-29-2012 01:29 PM)MiXX Wrote:  I complained about the obesity breakout in Brazil many times, but guys here think I'm crazy!

They must not be meeting Brazilians visiting the United States. I've dealt with a few Brazilian exchange students, and these girls were all 20-40 pounds overweight.

Post: #4

(01-29-2012 02:25 PM)MSW2007 Wrote:  

(01-29-2012 01:26 PM)Caramel Communist Wrote:  Extra-wide bucket seats for the obese have been installed in Sao Paulo's metro system, and on Sunday the city will host Brazil's first ever Miss Plus Size beauty contest.

Fat acceptance already well on its way. Bad sign. Worse to come.

(01-29-2012 01:29 PM)MiXX Wrote:  I complained about the obesity breakout in Brazil many times, but guys here think I'm crazy!

They must not be meeting Brazilians visiting the United States. I've dealt with a few Brazilian exchange students, and these girls were all 20-40 pounds overweight.

I went on a date with a Mexican au pair, all her friends were au pairs from Rio and all were massively overweight, moreso then even your average DC/Metro girl. I felt gypped.

Chef In Jeans
A culinary website for men

Post: #5

Yes it's a shame what is happening there. I love Brazilian culture, but my eye has shifted back to Colombia. I don't care how sexy the girl is, but if she's fat and has attitude then it just won't do.

Post: #6

(01-29-2012 04:01 PM)Roosh Wrote:  Yes it's a shame what is happening there. I love Brazilian culture, but my eye has shifted back to Colombia. I don't care how sexy the girl is, but if she's fat and has attitude then it just won't do.

Brazilian 2nd and 3rd tier cities still dont exhibit the amount of fatty acceptance as Rio and Sao Paulo. Also you dont see as many fast food joints in cities like Belo Horizonte, Joao Pessoa, Goiania, etc. Furthermore, in these smaller cities people tend to walk more and many girls dont have cars. However, in 5 to 10 years you can probably kiss the whole country goodbye as a victim of the American obesity plague.

Post: #7

(01-29-2012 04:20 PM)chochemonger1 Wrote:  

(01-29-2012 04:01 PM)Roosh Wrote:  Yes it's a shame what is happening there. I love Brazilian culture, but my eye has shifted back to Colombia. I don't care how sexy the girl is, but if she's fat and has attitude then it just won't do.

Brazilian 2nd and 3rd tier cities still dont exhibit the amount of fatty acceptance as Rio and Sao Paulo. Also you dont see as many fast food joints in cities like Belo Horizonte, Joao Pessoa, Goiania, etc. Furthermore, in these smaller cities people tend to walk more and many girls dont have cars. However, in 5 to 10 years you can probably kiss the whole country goodbye as a victim of the American obesity plague.

I was about to mention the walking reference.
In Sao Paulo,don't know about Rio, people seemed to walk a lot;but in Recife and Fortaleza if you owned a car you drive Everywhere, except walking along the beach.

That's got to be a factor in this increase in porkies!

Post: #8

Its true, there are Mcdonalds,Starbucks,Burger kings, Pizza Huts everywhere in São Paulo

I still hope that the whole media/telenovela pressure on young women (To stay in shape)saves the country in the long run

Today there is a good amount of hot girls here for me to deal with, but I will pay attention from now on, and share with you guys here.

My eyes are on Colombia as well, I want to see if the rumors are true and compare it with my home country.

Post: #9

Quote:I still hope that the whole media/telenovela pressure on young women (To stay in shape)saves the country in the long run

Sorry but that's not enough.

When I tell Eastern European girls that American girls are fat, they find it hard to believe because "the girls are so thin on TV and movies." Entertainment media hides the fact that we're the fattest country in the world. Also, it obviously doesn't serve as motivation for American women to stay thin.

Post: #10

The fat plague is horrifying, but one should not completely forget the advance of technology. How soon before there are actual pills (no infomercial crap) that can pretty much render obesity obsolete? The sad truth is there is a bigger market for something like that then there is for say curing cancer.

How exactly would something like that impact the game?

Post: #11

I have a different take on Brazil.

It's one of the few places I've ever been to that people don't seem to be overly body conscious. I find this to be refreshing. I have no problem with some fat chick wearing a tanga if that is what makes her happy, or some old raisin dude in a banana hammock. Will either of them pass the boner test? Hell no! But I'm stoked that they are out doing their thing and kicking it.

It's like all those people that order a triple angus bacon burger, giant fries, onion rings and then a small diet coke....who the fuck do they think they're kidding?! If you're not ashamed of your body thats a good thing. Too many people in US pay lip service to not giving a fuck. Brazilians, generally, truly don't. This is one of the reasons Brazilians are Brazilians.

In Brazil you have two names, the one your family gave you and the one your friends give you. The one your friends give you is usually directed at your most hideous or unflattering characteristic. I remember our fat friend Paola's nick-name was "Biscoitao", literally "big biscuits"...and man those biscuits were big! Did she care she was fat? no.... and neither did we...and we didn't pretend like she wasn't. Did she wish she looked like a model? I don't know cause I never asked...we were usually too busy congratulating her for squeezing all that dough into a skirt 3 sizes too small.

Political Correctness is the polar opposite of how people treat each other in Brasil. Not to say the govenment doesn't try to make over-reaching laws that control people's behavior, but if any one on this planet is good at doing exacly the opposite of what their government says its the Brazillians. Their solution to all the diversity and potential problems it can cause is to face it head on with a smirk. Is there racism? Classism? Sexism? Yes...but it is only a problem if you let it be.

People have to be free to process all the BS they get bombarded with on a daily basis. Brazilians have found a way to do it with a smile instead of letting their government and petty special interests infiltrate the way they deal with other people. I hope it stays this way...

.

Post: #12

(01-29-2012 10:24 PM)Viralata Wrote:  I have a different take on Brazil.

It's one of the few places I've ever been to that people don't seem to be overly body conscious. I find this to be refreshing. I have no problem with some fat chick wearing a tanga if that is what makes her happy, or some old raisin dude in a banana hammock. Will either of them pass the boner test? Hell no! But I'm stoked that they are out doing their thing and kicking it.

It's like all those people that order a triple angus bacon burger, giant fries, onion rings and then a small diet coke....who the fuck do they think they're kidding?! If you're not ashamed of your body thats a good thing. Too many people in US pay lip service to not giving a fuck. Brazilians, generally, truly don't. This is one of the reasons Brazilians are Brazilians.

In Brazil you have two names, the one your family gave you and the one your friends give you. The one your friends give you is usually directed at your most hideous or unflattering characteristic. I remember our fat friend Paola's nick-name was "Biscoitao", literally "big biscuits"...and man those biscuits were big! Did she care she was fat? no.... and neither did we...and we didn't pretend like she wasn't. Did she wish she looked like a model? I don't know cause I never asked...we were usually too busy congratulating her for squeezing all that dough into a skirt 3 sizes too small.

Political Correctness is the polar opposite of how people treat each other in Brasil. Not to say the govenment doesn't try to make over-reaching laws that control people's behavior, but if any one on this planet is good at doing exacly the opposite of what their government says its the Brazillians. Their solution to all the diversity and potential problems it can cause is to face it head on with a smirk. Is there racism? Classism? Sexism? Yes...but it is only a problem if you let it be.

People have to be free to process all the BS they get bombarded with on a daily basis. Brazilians have found a way to do it with a smile instead of letting their government and petty special interests infiltrate the way they deal with other people. I hope it stays this way...
.

Well said. Many here can be said to look at Brazil with "American" eyes. It requires a completely different frame, as you started to point out.

There are ways of thinking (and, god bless, feeling) that just can't go across and be compared between these two cultures. Raised with different set of values.

Congrats man, post up more.

Post: #13

(01-29-2012 08:52 PM)Wizard Wrote:  The fat plague is horrifying, but one should not completely forget the advance of technology. How soon before there are actual pills (no infomercial crap) that can pretty much render obesity obsolete? The sad truth is there is a bigger market for something like that then there is for say curing cancer.

How exactly would something like that impact the game?

It will never happen. A magic pill that "cures" obesity would drop you dead in the amount of time you drop the weight - there is only so much medicine can do. The flip side of this is medical advances do become available it will be priced out of the normal womens budget. If a women is huffing down cheap shitty food how will she afford pricey procedures?

It is exactly like the Cancer situation because big companies know they make more money stringing out the problem versus solving it.

This is sad as I hope I can travel to Brazil before it becomes a Western wasteland.

Post: #14

(01-30-2012 01:13 AM)kosko Wrote:  

(01-29-2012 08:52 PM)Wizard Wrote:  The fat plague is horrifying, but one should not completely forget the advance of technology. How soon before there are actual pills (no infomercial crap) that can pretty much render obesity obsolete? The sad truth is there is a bigger market for something like that then there is for say curing cancer.

How exactly would something like that impact the game?

It will never happen. A magic pill that "cures" obesity would drop you dead in the amount of time you drop the weight - there is only so much medicine can do. The flip side of this is medical advances do become available it will be priced out of the normal womens budget.

I am not a biologist, but I disagree. The reason they can't cure the common cold is that the viruses keep changing; there is an active opponent that you can't predict.

However, in the area of obesity, really good real-time brain scans that tell what parts of the brain exactly do what when people eat-- different people like fatties, athletes, etc, have only recently been developed. And the mechanisms that control hunger probably don't change at the design level-- they do adapt to keep you eating in a number of failed dieting conditions however. But it's not a moving genetic target like fighting viruses.

There are already some proven weight loss drugs, the anti-depressant wellbutrin works, but it takes a long time to get things past the FDA because they don't want people dying like flies.

Several companies (Arena Pharma) recently tried to have pretty effective drugs approved but the FDA was too concerned with side effects which could be bad considering you are messing with basic body functions.

But look at the flip side. I'm on blood pressure meds because I'm 30 lbs overweight, they have some bad side effects and being fat is really bad for you. ( No lectures please, I've been to the gym 2/3 previous days)

Who would have thought they could invent Viagra? That stuff works really well.

There will be some drugs in the next few years, but you can be sure that shit will be EXPENSIVE. And someone who simply doesn't absorb calories very much STILL looks nowhere near as good as someone who exercises.

Post: #15

<em>I love Brazilian culture, but my eye has shifted back to Colombia.</em>

<em>My eyes are on Colombia as well, I want to see if the rumors are true and compare it with my home country.</em>

Shut up shut up shut up about Colombia. It's nothing but a sweltering jungle packed full of guerillas, narcotraficantes, paramilitaries, malaria, and yellow fever. No one in the West should pay any attention to it at all. Not one bit. Ignore, ignore, ignore.

In conclusion: Colombia is <em>entirely too dangerous</em> for any lefty hipster feminist dingbats to visit or take any interest in whatsoever. Just watch "Clear and Present Danger" a few more times.

Thank you.

Post: #16

Maybe we can hide weight loss pills big macs like hiding pills in cheese for dogs.

Fat acceptance is a monstrosity, and it should be trolled and shamed into submission. Certainly not exported, but I guess someone's gotta make money off it. It is a literal embodiment of the rationalization hamster; anything for a fat cow to avoid blame for their actions! "I ate tons of food and am now a disgusting lardo? Oh well, it's not my fault, you should accept me for who I am!"



Also while talking about medical magical cures, the heavier you are, the higher your BMR. If you stop eating goddamn cupcakes, you'll lose weight. It's not like when you're losing a tiny bit of stubborn belly fat, you can melt pounds away just by not eating disgustingly large portions. It's purely a lack of any willpower whatsoever on part of these people; they usually eat without hunger. It does not even matter what you eat; this guy ate junk food and lost weight: http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/11/08/twi...index.html

Post: #17

Well, I´m from Sao Paulo and even though there´s a lot of fatties in town, being fat is not really accepted as the norm.

At least among my friends and every other guy I know, dating or fucking a fatty is considered sexual failure. The women as a whole diet a lot (either that or starve themselves) so they don´t get huge.

As has been said before, the bigger the city, the more fat people you see. In smaller cities people tend to be more in shape generally because they have time to exercise, while in SP and Rio many people work 12-16 hours a day and eat fast food because of lack of time to cook real, healthy food.

I wouldn´t consider fat acceptance to be a threat to the quality of women in Brazil. What we do have is an attitude problem, as women are becoming more Americanized in their personalities.
Anywhere you go, you will see women wearing those big ass sunglasses, which is something that wasn´t common 3-4 years ago.

Post: #18

Article to make British fatties feel better

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/articl...tties.html

Post: #19

(01-30-2012 09:17 AM)Brazilianguy Wrote:  As has been said before, the bigger the city, the more fat people you see. In smaller cities people tend to be more in shape generally because they have time to exercise, while in SP and Rio many people work 12-16 hours a day and eat fast food because of lack of time to cook real, healthy food.

This is not very accurate... In Brazil, small town folks are slimmer because they are poorer. That is the only reason.

Fast food in Brazil is quite expensive, most people can't afford it. That's why Mcds is not in every small city there. People from those larger cities are fatter because there average wages and employment rates are higher so they choose to eat those whale makers

Post: #20

(02-02-2012 03:18 AM)pobreinvestidor Wrote:  

(01-30-2012 09:17 AM)Brazilianguy Wrote:  As has been said before, the bigger the city, the more fat people you see. In smaller cities people tend to be more in shape generally because they have time to exercise, while in SP and Rio many people work 12-16 hours a day and eat fast food because of lack of time to cook real, healthy food.

This is not very accurate... In Brazil, small town folks are slimmer because they are poorer. That is the only reason.

Fast food in Brazil is quite expensive, most people can't afford it. That's why Mcds is not in every small city there. People from those larger cities are fatter because there average wages and employment rates are higher so they choose to eat those whale makers

Actually, no.
Small towns in the south and southeast aren´t poor at all. You must have been thinking about the north and northeast of Brazil while typing this.

Having lived both in Sao Paulo and in small towns in the state of SP I can safely say that fast food intake is related to the amount of free time people have.
Most people in the countryside will eat at home with the family in most meals. That means they´ll eat real food cooked by their mother or wife.

In Sao Paulo, Rio and other big cities this tradition just doesn´t exist anymore, as few people have time to prepare their own meals.

Post: #21

(02-02-2012 08:48 AM)Brazilianguy Wrote:  Actually, no.
Small towns in the south and southeast aren´t poor at all. You must have been thinking about the north and northeast of Brazil while typing this.

Having lived both in Sao Paulo and in small towns in the state of SP I can safely say that fast food intake is related to the amount of free time people have.
Most people in the countryside will eat at home with the family in most meals. That means they´ll eat real food cooked by their mother or wife.

In Sao Paulo, Rio and other big cities this tradition just doesn´t exist anymore, as few people have time to prepare their own meals.

Right... everyone is swimming in money in the state of SP. Any family of 4 or 5 people, earning an average brazilian income can afford to have all family members eating R$15 meals several times a month. I guess you are very young...

Post: #22

PROCESSED foods suck!