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Learning curves
by Kwok Kar Peng
THE Health Promotion Board (HPB) is worried about the growing rate of obesity among Singaporeans. At the same time, a group of local women is celebrating - even promoting - their chubbiness with a nude calendar.
The B.A.B Calendar 2011 features 11 plus-sized women posing in the nude in classy black and white photos.
Cellulite, folds of flesh and thick arms and thighs are shown off proudly.
The calendar is the brainchild of Miss Erica Sim, 30, owner of the Big n Beautiful (B.A.B) online shop that sells accessories and clothes ranging from size XL to 6XL.
The women in the calendar are customers-turned-friends.
The female photographer is also a friend.
In an exclusive interview with The New Paper on Sunday, Miss Sim said the calendar is not trying to send the message that it's all right to be obese.
"It's not a question of whether it's okay or not to be plus-sized. We know that the obese are at risk for health problems," she said.
"But if you are obese even after taking care of your diet, cutting down on junk food and sweet drinks, and also exercise, we want to show that it's not the end of the world."
Last week, the HPB revealed the findings of the latest National Health Survey, showing that 10.8 per cent of Singaporeans are obese.
This is up from 6.9 per cent in 2004.
A person is obese when he or she has a body mass index of 30 or more.