Plus-sized fuss: Double-chinned Barbie raises ire

plus-sized Barbie

A simple question on social media about one of the most popular dolls in the United States has created an online tug-of-war over obesity and body image.

The site Plus-size-Modeling posted a pic of a plus-sized Barbie on Facebook December 18 with the caption: “Should toy companies start making plus-sized Barbie dolls?”

HLN has reached out repeatedly to the site, but has not heard back. Meanwhile, the post has garnered nearly 40,000 likes and more than 2,400 comments, with many people agreeing with one premise — that Barbie, a relic of the 1950s, should be reinvented and depicted in a more realistic way. But many people are outraged at the imagery, saying that an “obese” doll promotes unhealthiness rather than “realness.”

“Barbie doesn’t need a double chin. You can be ‘plus size’ w/o the double chin. They could make a ‘thick’ Barbie,” user Vanessa M. commented on Facebook.

“This is not what plus size women looks like. This doll is a terrible impression of a plus size woman,” said Facebook commenter Lisa D.

Fat Thanks to Mike F. for the tip!

Plus-sized fuss: Double-chinned Barbie raises ire | HLNtv.com