While we know that extra fat may set us up for heart disease, diabetes, and musculoskeletal problems, we don't really know how fat affects sex and love. Some say extra fat can prevent people from finding happiness, impose physical limitations on the sexual act, and tip some couples into divorce.  But there is another side. Some say fat-shaming can affect physical and mental health as much as the physiological implications and normalize a culture entrained to think fat people are too gross to love or be loved. And, how does the media contribute to the problem?  Sex is a physical act that is deeply influenced by desire. We talk about all of it.  You may hear a few outdated references to Lena Dunham and Louis CK, since we first aired this show on August 27, 2014. We think it's still relevant today.  Guests: Sarah Varney is the author of XL Love: How the Obesity Crisis is Complicating America's Love Life, and senior health policy correspondent for Kaiser Health News. She's appeared on NPR and PBS News Hour. Laura Bogart is a freelance writer and editor who whose work has appeared in several publications including Salon, The Rumpus, The Nervous Breakdown and DAME magazine. Dan Weiss is a music critic, author of the blog, “Ask A Guy Who Likes Fat Chicks,” and plays in the band dan ex machina. His work has appeared in Deadspin, Village Voice, and Hairpin. Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.