Sarah Harte: Size acceptance should not come at the expense of physical health

Jordan Peterson drew criticism after stating plus-sized ‘Sports Illustrated’ model Yumi Nu was ‘not beautiful’. Picture: Mike Coppola/Getty Images

Over-indulgence during the festive season may have led to extra poundage. For some, this will translate into new year’s resolutions. Others won’t give a toss, and good luck to them.

Last month, when Kirstie Alley, the American actress famous for her role as Rebecca in the hit sitcom Cheers, died, The New York Times wrote that it was radical in the ‘80s and 9’0s for Alley to be “a fat, glamorous actress”. She spent years “as a tabloid punching bag” because of her weight, with “weight gain being seen as a moral failing”, and “weight loss as the only possible response”.