I've written an article in response to this question:

Can One Be Happy And Overweight?

Being happy in today’s culture is difficult on the best of days, but it is particularly difficult for people who carry extra pounds. In the U.S. obesity is on the rise in all age groups, despite efforts to curb the trend with education on good nutrition and exercise. Our lifestyles become a rush from one place to the next where we drive in our cars to go sit at a desk or in front of a TV, after a meal in the car from a fast food restaurant. Despite what the majority of people in the US are, that is overweight and unhealthy, most of us perceive ourselves against the thin ideal presented in magazines, TV and the internet. We see ‘fat’ as gross, unhealthy, ugly and we see thin as beautiful, successful, popular, and (sadly) unattainable. Can one be happy and overweight in today’s world? — continue reading...

I've written an article in response to this question:

Would You Rather Be Thin or Happy?

Many persons, women especially have difficulty with their weight and their image of themselves. This is due to influences such as the media, magazines, television, music videos and other sources which portray women as super thin with flawless faces and perfect figures. The women of today have a hard time trying to keep up the influences which portray women this way and as such it can sometimes affect their self esteem. — continue reading...

I think I would rather be happy than thin, based on the definition of thin at a size 8 or below for me.  Although there are days that a size 8 sounds wonderful and the chocolate cake looks a lot better! 

I think it's about how the person feels about themself and not what the world says.

Happiness is a state of mind, thin is a state of body. While it is much healthier to be thinner, this does not guarantee happiness. Being overweight much of my life, I tend to be happy because I am a positive person. Think positive, see the glass half full, then take care of your weight and health. Live life to the fullest and you will be happier.

I'd rather be thin, because it's a lot easier to make yourself happy than to make yourself thin.

I'd have to vote for happy. I've been both and when merely thin, the attending unhappiness contributed to obsessiveness over weight, ensuing health problems and, eventually an eating disorder that made it almost impossible to remain thin and survive.

When I was simply happy, I was more or less content with my weight (though on the heavy side), did not obsess over food, did not comfort my unhappiness with food and consequently lost weight quite naturally.

Yes, definitely go for happy!

Since I'd *never* be happy if I were fat, I'd rather be normal weight (super thin is rarely normal). The health problems that come with long term overweight would certainly make me unhappy. I'd really really hate to restrict my carbohydrates if Type 2 diabetes occurred. It's not that hard  to attain a normal weight without obsessing over food the wrong way. Millions of people around the world have plenty to eat but aren't fat. Those half-starved models are not normal weight and neither are they happy.

I would rather be happy absolutely. Maybe many people want to be thin, especially for women. Women want to keep fit and look beautiful. Then why do women want to be beautiful? Because they like to make others and themselves happy. Obviously, the aim to be thin is to be happy. So why not choose to be happy?Ÿ

Since I have never been thin, I'd have to say I'd rather be happy than thin. I can't say I'd never be happy if I weren't thin, because I've never been thin. I've been happy. What has my body shape have to do with how I see myself? I can still see myself as a valued person, and I can be happy with that. Sure, I might wish I were thin, but wishes will never get me there. Even if I lost 100 pounds I wouldn't be a beauty queen. I'd be a bag of skin, so I can be happy no matter the state my body is in. 

It is ridiculous to associate happiness with food.  In fact, it has been found out that people who eat and eat may be suffering from some sort of depression and eating is made to compensate for this condition. A person is happier when he is healthy, that is, by staying fit, and avoiding those practices that result to obesity.