Jennifer Lopez, celebrated for her music and high-profile romances, opened up about life post-Ben Affleck in an Interview magazine feature.

Speaking with comedian Nikki Glaser, the 55-year-old star revealed she’s focusing on self-reflection and personal growth.

“I’m not looking for anybody,” Lopez stated, emphasizing the need to feel whole individually before seeking deeper connections. Reflecting on her summer, she shared, “Fulfillment doesn’t have to come from someone else.”

This marks a significant change for Lopez, who’s rarely been single throughout her public life.

From her first marriage in 1997 to her most recent relationship, the star’s

journey in love has been as dynamic as her career, now taking a backseat to self-discovery.

According to a study in the  International Journal of Fashion Design, Technology and Education, the term “average” has been redefined.

Previously, American women were told that the average size is 14 but the study suggests that “contrary to popular assumptions, the average American woman’s (AAW’s) clothing size is larger than anticipated.”

“The average American woman wears between a misses size 16 to 18, which corresponds to a women’s plus size 20W,” reveals the  study. that also determined the average waist size increased from 34.9 inches to 37.5 inches over the last two decades.

“We hope that this information can get out and be used by industry and consumers alike. Just knowing where the average is can help a lot of women with their self-image,” one of the study’s lead experts, Susan Dunn, told Today. “And we hope that the apparel industry can see the numbers and know that these women aren’t going away, they aren’t going to disappear, and they deserve to have clothing.”

She adds, “That the clothing should fit well, both in style and measurements, and be available elsewhere than back corners or solely online is still a controversial topic.”

Why Are American Women Getting Bigger?

Statistics show that the average American woman is now larger than in previous decades. According to the CDC, the average American woman weighs about 170.6 pounds, compared to 140 pounds in the 1960s.

Several factors contribute to this trend:

• Lifestyle Changes: Sedentary jobs, higher calorie consumption, and the availability of processed foods are major contributors.
• Cultural Shifts: Larger bodies are becoming more accepted and celebrated, reducing societal pressure to diet obsessively.
• Genetics and Environment: Genetics, combined with environmental factors such as stress and access to healthful foods, play a role in shaping body sizes.

Not a ‘cosmetic concern’

Social media has undeniably changed the way we connect, consume, and live. But while its influence has brought many positives, such as global connectivity and access to information, it also has a darker side: its subtle yet significant contribution to rising  obesity rates, which the World Health Organization reports has doubled since 1990.

From promoting unhealthy habits to encouraging sedentary behavior, social media plays a role in shaping lifestyles that may lead to weight gain. While big might be beautiful, the Mayo Clinic warns that “obesity isn’t just a cosmetic concern.”

“It’s a medical problem that increases the risk of many other diseases and health problems,” writes the clinic of the 2.5 billion global adults who are overweight. “Health issues include heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, liver disease, sleep apnea and certain cancers.”