Anti-Obesity Drive? Not For These Ladies: It's a Living

March 16, 2010 — -- Donna Simpson's livelihood depends on staying fat.

At 600 pounds, Simpson is a successful "model" on SupersizedBombshells.com, a Web site for men who like large women.

"I have fans who send me baklava and cheese cake and everything else you can imagine," says Simpson, a pale brunette with slicked-back hair. "I'm heavy and I wouldn't mind being heavier."

Simpson attracted intense scrutiny this week, after the UK newspaper Daily Mail ran a story about her alleged quest to gain another 400 pounds and become the fattest woman on earth. But Simpson, a stay-at-home mother of a three-year old girl, says the Mail twisted the truth.

"The whole thing about the 1,000 pounds is a fantasy I provide to my fans," she tells ABCNews.com, upset about the exaggerated coverage.

Husband Supports Donna Simpson

Simpson first fell under the spotlight three years ago when she became the world's fattest woman to give birth at 530 pounds.

Her husband, Philippe Gouamba, told ABC News.com he stands behind her.

"I support her because I enjoy it," he says.

Like many men, Gouamba says he finds his wife's weight sexy.

Plus-Size Models Face Health Concerns

Though Simpson is not aiming for a world record, many BBW or Big Beautiful Women, as they are known, concede that the weight carries significant health risks.

The government says that obesity increases the likelihood of heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and even some types of cancers, and First Lady Michelle Obama recently announced her battle against Americans' childhood obesity is her top priority this year.

But Mikey Garcia, owner of Mikey's BBW (Big Beautiful Women) Club in Waterford, Mich., points out that many thin women are also in poor health, because they are often dieting or smoking.

"Just because a woman is a bigger size doesn't mean she's not healthy," says Garcia.

Garcia, who weighs a buff 195 pounds says it took him years to admit his preferences, and didn't "come out of the closet" until his 30s.

"A lot of guys are into bigger women, but in our society it's not acceptable," says Garcia. "It's the last socially accepted form of discrimination. It would have been much easier to tell my family I'm gay than to say I like bigger women."