In recent years, the media has made strides in the right direction regarding the plus size community, but there’s still a long way to go. Despite the growing visibility of plus size individuals in fashion, film, and social media, certain plus size media topics remain underrepresented — or worse, misrepresented.
Representation isn’t just about visibility; it’s about authenticity. We’re worthy of inclusivity and seeing our faces, bodies, and experiences shown because we matter. We deserve more than discriminatory representation and are not only demonstrated as tokens or pawns on every platform that claims to celebrate diversity. Proper representation isn’t a privilege — it’s a right.
Don’t get me wrong, has there been an increase in plus-size visibility over the past five years? Absolutely. But do all brands extend the same courtesy by featuring diverse plus-size models that reflect all body types? Do they consistently offer extended sizing beyond a 3X? No. And that’s the problem.
From the lack of body diversity in mainstream fashion to how plus-size individuals are portrayed in media, we should highlight the plus-size media topics that deserve more coverage. We should demand fair representation worldwide by exposing the lack of inclusivity in most media worldwide. So, let’s unpack which plus size media topics need to be amplified so that future generations see every body represented, on every screen, in every magazine.
Plus Size Media Topics We Need to see More Of:
1. Diverse Plus Size Representation
Plus size representation in media is lacking and catered to hourglass figures that lean toward mid-size, leaving out a wide range of body types—apple, pear, rectangle, inverted triangle, and more. Even within plus size spaces, representation remains narrow and conditional. Curvier body types became more desirable because they were packaged as a trend with the rise of BBL culture and the gradual inclusion of plus size models on social media.
But trends fade, we don’t. We are not a trend. We are not a phase. We are here, and we always have been. For plus size people who don’t fit that mold, visibility is still a challenge. What about those who navigate the world daily in bodies that aren’t deemed “acceptable?” Accurate representation means celebrating all plus size bodies — not just the ones that fit a fleeting aesthetic. The industry must embrace a broader spectrum of plus size bodies to reflect real-life diversity.
2. Plus Size Men in Media
While plus size women are slowly gaining the visibility they deserve, plus size men are still largely missed. Unlike plus size women, who at least have some presence in body-positive spaces, plus size men are rarely portrayed as stylish, attractive, or desirable. Instead, the plus size media topics often limit them to stereotypes—either the intimidating “tough guy” or a “klutz” due to their size.
Even when body diversity gets a moment, plus size men are left out. The “dad bod” and “powerlifter builds” trend may have gained some traction, but not enough to push brands to embrace true size inclusivity. Outside of brands like Savage X Fenty and Fashion Nova Men, few companies try to showcase plus size men in fashion or expand their size ranges to reflect reality.
It’s time to challenge outdated beauty standards and normalize all body types for men. More media coverage, better representation, and real options in fashion are overdue because plus size men deserve more than the short end of the stick. They deserve to be seen.
3. Medical Bias within the Plus Size Community
Many plus size individuals face negative stigma in healthcare, with doctors often attributing every health concern for plus size individuals to weight rather than their overall well-being. Not investigating further is a lack of medical care and misdiagnosis, inadequate care, and, in severe cases, death.
“One study that investigated attitudes towards individuals who were obese and presumed to be seeking medical care found that physicians viewed patients who were obese as less self-disciplined and more annoying and reported less desire to help them than to help thinner patients.” This medical bias reinforces harmful stereotypes, as in the Journal of Ethics | American Medical Association.
The conversation around plus size individuals and health is far too fixated on weight loss as if supporting bigger bodies suggests promoting poor health. In reality, countless medical conditions affect a person’s ability to lose or gain weight—yet these factors are often dismissed.
Healthcare professionals should stop assuming weight is the underlying issue of most health diagnoses and concerns. Plus size individuals deserve proper care, not assumptions, because biases are not only unfair but can be dangerous, especially in medical cases.
4. Dating & Romance for Lead Characters
Plus size folks are too often cast as side characters, comic relief, or defined by their weight struggles. Where are the plus size romantic leads who simply exist—without their size being the plot?
We need more love stories that showcase plus size people as desirable, passionate, and confident, without weight being treated as an obstacle. The media still pushes the tired narrative that plus size people struggle in love or settle for what they can get. But love isn’t about size but connection, chemistry, and real human experiences.
It’s time for more stories featuring plus size couples, plus size heartthrobs, and plus size people thriving in romance. Because we are not just the sidekicks in someone else’s story. we are the main characters. Love isn’t reserved for a specific body type; it belongs to everyone.
5. The Intersection of Plus-Size Bodies & Marginalized Identities
We fail our plus-size community when we overlook women facing cultural, religious, or accessibility challenges—those whose struggles go beyond the mainstream conversation. Fatphobia is ever-present, and for disabled or culturally marginalized individuals, it’s often ten times worse.
Many brands fail to create clothing that is both plus size and accessible, like easy-closure clothes. Pull-on pants with side zippers or front-closure bras make dressing more manageable, allowing wheelchair users to dress without standing or excessive movement.
Muslim women who wear modest clothing also face limited options, struggling to find fashionable, well-fitting pieces in extended sizes like hijabs, abayas, etc. Their needs matter just as much as those of smaller bodies. The experiences of plus size individuals intersect with race, gender, disability, and more—yet they remain underrepresented in media and fashion.
These experiences should be highlighted in the media, and these unique views should be included to start the conversation around diversity among the plus-size community. We must shine a light on those facing adversity, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs valued—because their struggle is our struggle.
6. Travel & the Struggles of Accessibility
Can we discuss how uncomfortable and exhausting it is to travel as a plus size person? The airplane seats never feel comfortable enough to sit in for hours without leaning on people next to you. Oh, and don’t get me started on the embarrassment of asking for a seat belt extender on an airplane. Or how about amusement park rides created, like many other spaces or seats, that were not designed with plus-size individuals in mind?
Plus size has been around forever. Why are we still waiting for things to change to accommodate us? Media should address the need for more inclusive travel accommodations and public spaces that cater to all body sizes.
7. Empowering Body Neutrality
More narratives should focus on plus size individuals simply living—embracing full, confident lives without weight always being the centerpiece. I’m so over comments under posts of plus size people in bikinis saying, “You’re so confident.” Like, is it really some bold act, or are they just living like everyone else at the beach? Not “brave”, just existing.
And on the flip side, why can’t we have off days, too? If a plus size person isn’t looking their best, why is it immediately tied to laziness or a lack of self-care? Body positivity has helped bring awareness, but we also need conversations about body neutrality and self-acceptance—ones that go beyond aesthetics.
Even plus size models are often retouched to fit a more “acceptable” version of curvy, with smoothed-out rolls, cellulite, and hip dips erased. What does that say to real plus size people? How does it shape the way we see ourselves? We are more than a body and what the scale tells us; be unapologetically you because it’s more than enough.
8. Cancel the “Before & After” Narrative
Plus size media topics are often surrounding losing weight. In fact, plus size bodies are only celebrated in media when they lose weight. Take Lizzo, for example. Just recently, she’s hit her goal weight and received more love than ever. More stories should highlight how they thrive in their current bodies without weight loss being the goal. The narrative is often “glorifying obesity” or “weight loss journeys.”
Where’s the space for body neutrality—just existing without justifying one’s health, size, or worth? Plus-size people in fitness spaces are often seen as only working out to lose weight, but we can be soft and snatched. More coverage is needed on plus-size athletes, dancers, and fitness enthusiasts thriving in their bodies. Media should highlight plus-size people engaging in fitness, self-care, and mental health advocacy without the assumption that their goal is to become thin. Happiness isn’t a goal for ‘after’—it’s for now.
9. The Lack of Plus-Size Beauty Representation
The lack of plus size women in the beauty industry is undeniable! Makeup campaigns and skincare ads continue to overlook us, even though beauty comes in all sizes. Saying we need more representation is an understatement—at this point, it’s necessary. And let’s be honest, plus-size beauty influencers like @shawtysin_ are eating the girls up and proving that beauty has never been about size.
Let’s redefine the standard, not just for inclusion but for true representation. People may have opinions about our bodies, but guess what? Your beauty has never been up for debate. Yes, plus size baddies are a thing—they always have been and always will be. Too glam to give a damn.
10. Fashion Accessibility & Affordability
Why do most “plus size sections” feel like an afterthought—limited styles, outdated designs, and questionable quality? While plus-size fashion has come a long way, many brands still refuse to offer the same trendy, high-fashion options in extended sizes. Instead, plus size clothing is often overpriced, poorly made, or just plain uninspired.
The most heartbreaking thing is ordering clothing online after reading all the reviews, thinking everything was fine until it arrived. The difference in quality is obvious, and the only thing that varied from the reviews was the size. These brands act like it’s our fault for wanting stylish clothes in our size, as if inclusivity is some massive inconvenience.
It’s distasteful, unfair, and needs to change. The media should push for fashion that is inclusive, stylish, and accessible at every size—because brands continue to underestimate the spending power of the plus size community. There’s no size limit on style, taste, or demand. It’s time they catch up.
If the industry won’t make space for us, we’ll create our own. We don’t need to shrink to fit into the world—the world needs to expand for us. You deserve a world that embraces you as you are without demanding that you change to fit society’s outdated standards. Yet, we live in a world where the media and fashion industries still treat plus size bodies as an anomaly— poking at it when convenient but never fully embrace out of fear of rejection.
But we won’t wait for permission to be seen. We must be our own advocates, making noise until they have no choice but to listen. We must be bold, powerful, and unapologetic because we are rewriting the narrative around bigger bodies.
You are valid. You are worthy. You have every right to take up space and be heard.
Who isn’t being represented in plus size media topics, and how can we uplift their voices? Let us know in the comments!
The author’s content and opinions have not been pre-reviewed, approved or endorsed by Discover.
There isn’t more coverage in high end magazines for plus sizes because the GREAT majority of plus size clothing that is available is CRAP. Elle isn’t going to do a photo shoot highlighting $60 polyester tops. There are only 3 real HIGH END designers left doing plus: Lafayette 148, Marina Rinaldi and Anna Scholz and now that Saks has shut down Salon Z in their retail stores good luck finding a place to buy them locally.