The Content of Our Character...Unless Our Character is Inside a Fat Body

What is the message behind, Maggie Goes on a Diet?

The children's book, Maggie Goes on a Diet, according to the book's summary:
Maggie has so much potential that has been hiding under her extra weight. This inspiring story is about a 14-year-old who goes on a diet and is transformed from being overweight and insecure to a normal sized teen who becomes the school soccer star. Through time, exercise and hard work, Maggie becomes more and more confident and develops a positive self-image. 

And, did I mention that the reading level for this book has been determined to be ages 4-8, and that the book is written in rhyme?

Kramer is not without his supporters, including Fox News contributing psychiatrist Keith Ablow, who commends Maggie for "taking charge of her nutritional status, her weight and her life. I think she's a fabulous role model — far better than the size 20 women who go on talk shows and lie about how happy they are with their bodies."

(http://healthland.time.com/2011/08/25/will-fat-kids-become-popular-if-they-go-on-a-diet-maggie-goes-on-a-diet-makes-the-case/#ixzz1YYLIp3cm)

Really?! I didn't know a certain clothing size automatically equated you with being a good role model. Matter of fact, I didn't know there were certain clothing sizes that equated to terrible role models.  Why can't a woman be a size 20, and be happy with her body? Be happy period! Who is he to say what happy is?!

I think the comments that this man made, in support of this book, only help to add to the red flags of why this book should not be made available to children.  This man is a psychiatrist, and he is simply missing the boat on this one. He should be able to see what type of harm and despair this book has the potential to cause. 

But, even though he should be able to see that, doesn't mean that he does.  He is basing what a good role model is on the size of the clothes they wear.  How blind is that.