Talking about weight

There's a certain class of comment that is common on Clove Island, but rare in the US. Besides the ubiquitous questions about marriage, islanders also like to talk about weight gain and weight loss. They notice slight differences in arms, faces, collar bones that show or not, and of course how you fit your clothes.

But weight gain isn't generally viewed in a negative light on the island. A woman who is plump is seen as being in good health, but a woman who is skinny is a subject of concern:

- is she getting enough food?

- is she worried about things and not eating?

- is she being worked too hard?

Homemade dumbbells

- is she sick with a health condition that prevents her from keeping weight on?

And it's not a taboo topic like it is in the US. In English classes here we teach how to describe people, but we've also learned to clarify to students that calling someone fat isn't considered a compliment. I can't tell you the number of times I've had students describe myself or others in English, ending with the statement, "and she is fat!" complete with the gestures and a smile to indicate proper plumpness. 

I've gotten used to it. I smile and nod, realizing they like my shape.

But it's amusing to me now, now that I've lost some weight, to have islanders comment on my skinniness. 

"Abby, it's you! You lost weight!" This comment comes regularly. As if they struggled to recognize me in my new form.

"Abby! What's wrong? You lost so much weight! Are you sick?"

Still eating well

"Abby! You lost weight! Now you're skinny like me. Your mother will be concerned!"

I assure them that it's just the exercise I've been doing. I'm not sick, I'm strong! And I tell them that my mother is happy about it. Some islanders accept that. Others look skeptical. But at the end of the day, I'm in good health, and whatever the local comments, it's all fine.

And I wonder-- what if our concerns in the US were more about good health, rather than a specific body shape?