Jordin Sparks a Poor Role Model

Obesity and the Media

© Tracy Rose

May 25, 2007

Debates over the latest American Idol have been sparked over whether she is obese and what kind of message that sens to tten girls.


According to Meme Roth, from the National Action Against Obesity, Jordin Sparks is a bad role model for teenage girls because she is fat. When she looks at Jordin, the latest winner crowned the American Idol, she sees the health risks posed by her weight, like diabetes and high cholesterol.

The debate has begun as others weigh in on their view of Jordin and whether she is fat or not. Most viewers do not agree with Roth. Although Generation O is facing an obesity epidemic and something should be done to promote health and wellness, there are an equal number of teenage girls suffering from anorexia and bullemia. Girls get to an unhealthy low weight in an attempt to fit the image media protrays as beautiful.

I think Jordin Sparks is a beautiful young teen and she deserves to win every bit as any thinner contestant. I don't see her as an obese teen. Instead, I see a strong, healthy teenager with a lot of confidence. Good for her, I say. I am tired of seeing these ultra thin women and teens in the media and having people think that is what is "normal." The normal size for American women is a size 12 or 14. It is not realistic for everyone to fit into a size 2 mold to fit the media's expextations.

Furthmore, I don't see why weight is even an issue at all when it comes to American Idol. It is a singing competeition, as Simon remeinded viewers week after week. Should size and shape matter if you have the perfect voice and are able to entertain an audience? I don't think so. Lakisha was a crowd favorite and she didn't fit the size 2 mold, neither did former American Idol winner, Ruben.

I think that Roth was out of line by making statements about Jordin being obese and a poor role model. If anything, she is a positive role model who is working hard to make her dreams come ture, finsishing her education, is happy with herself, is passionate about singing and dresses appropriately for a 17 year old girl. Until now American Idol has celebrated diversity on the show and they try to have a wide variety of talent and look in the final 12. I only hope that comments made by Roth won't change that in the future.

Jordin Sparks deserves to be in the spotlight, is a fione role model for other Gernation O girls and had every right to be crowned the winner of American Idol.


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