Miss Large Israel: 'Fat And Beautiful' Beauty Pageant For Women Weighing Over 176 lbs.

Vered Fisher (centre) was crowned this year's Miss Large Israel

A 22-year-old weighing almost 250lbs has taken the crown in Israel’s annual Fat and Beautiful contest.

Vered Fisher, who is this year’s Miss Large Israel, beat off stiff competition from 15 other women.

Esterica Nagid, a modelling agent and the contest’s sponsor, told Reuters: “There’s no difference between skinny and fat.

“Nobody said only thin girls are beautiful. I am not encouraging fat but if it exists, then this is the place for it.”

Miss Fisher said: “Stay this way because you are pretty as you are and you can succeed as you are.”

In March Israel banned the use of underweight models in advertising, under new legislation, which also forces magazines and papers to make it clear when they have used air-brushing.

Contestants must weigh over 176 lbs. to enter

SOURCE: The Huffington Post, 6/20/2012