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A new BBC documentary Who Are You Calling Fat? sparked huge debate online today, with some suggesting that it was "irresponsible" and accused it of "glamourising obesity".

The new series follows nine people who have moved in together and explore what it means to be larger bodied.

Throughout tonight's first episode, they spoke about the idea of being body positive and "fat-phobic" comments that they had faced in the past.

A man called Colin was also brought in to speak about how his weight had contributed to his Type 2 diabetes.

(Image: BBC / Love Productions / Richard Ansett) (Image: BBC / Love Productions / Richard Ansett)

However housemate Victoria, 35 from Northern Ireland, declared that she was proud to be fat and accused him of "food shaming".

"Health doesn't exist, it's a social construct," she later told viewers.

While some of the others, including mum Sarah, 37, and Jack, 30, disagreed with her, with the former suggesting she had been "brainwashed", viewers criticised the programme.

One viewer tweeted: "Body positivity is great, glamourising being morbidly obese is just wrong and irresponsible #whoareyoucallingfat."

(Image: BBC / Love Productions / Sara Ramsden) (Image: BBC / Love Prodcutions / Sara Ramsden)

While another commented: "That body positivity lady can feel as happy in her body as she wants, but the science is not bogus. Obesity has negative health effects. #whoareyoucallingfat."

A third remarked: "Why is this programme normalising obesity? Irresponsible broadcasting. #whoareyoucallingfat."

"I think it’s irresponsible not to have a health professional in the house to comment on what Victoria is saying. Already, some of them are in thrall to her. #WhoAreYouCallingFat," another wrote.

One commented: "Body positivity is great, glamourising being morbidly obese is just wrong and irresponsible #whoareyoucallingfat."

Another wrote: "The woman with short hair on Who Are You Calling Fat, apart from being incredibly irritating, has dangerous views and is being given far too much air time. #whoareyoucallingfat #bbc2."

A BBC Spokesperson said: “The series explores one of the biggest issues facing British society today and gives a voice to a group of people who have a diverse array of views on their size, health and dieting.

"It doesn’t glamourise obesity. Some identify with the growing Body Positivity movement which encourages plus-size people to be proud of their bodies, whilst others share their concerns about health problems and believe that weight loss is the only path to health and happiness.

"The series also explores public prejudice and a number of crucial medical and policy issues, such as the consequences of poorly managed diabetes.”

*Who Are You Calling Fat? returns next Monday at 9pm on BBC Two