Plus size is the new average: American women big and beautiful

Social media has undeniably cracked open the old, suffocating mold of beauty. Women of every size, color, and shape finally see themselves reflected on their screens, and that visibility has softened decades of shame. The new “average

” American woman now wears a size 16–18, and for many, that knowledge offers relief: they are no longer the outliers they were led to believe.But alongside this liberation runs a quieter, more troubling reality. Obesity rates have soared, lifestyles have grown more sedentary, and scrolling has replaced moving for millions. While body positivity has helped people reject toxic ideals, it cannot erase the medical risks tied to excess weight: heart disease, diabetes

, sleep apnea, and more. The real challenge now is balance—protecting dignity and representation while still telling the truth about health. Beauty may be diverse, but our need for well-being is universal.