Champion, fatty, fluffy, thickas. Whatever name tickles your fancy, there is no doubt that plus-size women have their place in society.

Despite the media's universal stereotype of beauty depicting and promoting slim women, 'fluffy' women and their male counterparts have embraced and appreciated their physical features.

The Flair spoke to some women who have declared that in Jamaica, they have had no problem with being big. It cannot be denied that radio personality Miss Kitty is a key component of the 'fluffy diva' phenomena.

An equally voluptuous Kadine Beckford, told Flair, "I think Jamaica embraces fluffy women. I have embraced my fluffiness, and would not want to be any other way." Her boyfriends are of the same mind. "My boyfriend is addicted to me, and the only time he mentions me being fat is when he is complimenting me."

For Karene McCallaaccepting her weight was a process. "I had problems with my body in the past, due to my low self-esteem. But I took the time to focus on me and love me. Now, I have gained that confidence I longed for and I am very comfortable with my weight. I now have a boyfriend who loves me for me, he is more than comfortable with my weight, referring to me as his 'platinum fluff'."

Christina Atland and Yolann Fyffe are equally happy with their body and have no problem finding a man who accepts their size. Atland explains, "Being thick is everything to me because I am blessed with everything - a partner with my confidence, beauty, intellect and talent. Yolan concurs and notes, "My only problem is sometimes finding clothes to fit me, but otherwise I'm excessively cute with my fluff, and a lot of men desire a fluffy woman." Amelia Allen too announced, "I've never had an issue, nor have I struggled with any relationship because of my size. Maybe I'm lucky or blessed, but the people I've been with worship my body, even the ones who do not usually go for fat girls. I guess it has to do with 'owning' and loving your body."

slim not in

It seems that for some Jamaican men, slim will never be in. For Douglas Evelyn, "I like fluffy girls because after they become comfortable with themselves, they have a high level of confidence and they exercise and try to keep the fluff fit. Physically, they are pretty and have a sexy shape. It is just that they may have more curves that weak men cannot handle."

Linval McKenzie agrees, "Well, I love body contact and touching. I love cuddling and I love the feel and comfort that a fluffy woman provides. They just appeal to me. It's what I like. Besides, all that is my gene pool, as my father, grandfather, uncles and some of my male cousins also love fluffy women, so there was no escaping the attraction."

Sean Smithis of the same view. "I like thick girls, and fluffy girls tend to be thick. I am drawn to them physically because I love the thickness. Thick women are very attractive. Some men just cannot look beyond the fluff to see the beauty. He continues, "Once you get to love her mind and her personality, you become so drawn to her that you find yourself loving and appreciating her body on a deeper level. Typically too, a fluffy girl values a man a lot more and treats him better, because she values herself a lot more. Slim women believe that they can have any man they want. She challenges the notion that beauty is on the outside."