From time to time we make the mistake of believing in stereotypes merely since legends, books, movies, television and other forms of media tell us that they’re true. Santa Claus is a perfect example. The Victorian-age poem “A Visit From St. Nicholas” tells us (small children, in specific) that Santa Claus can be a happy, jolly, nimble, and had a belly that “shook when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly.” Only an obese adult would wonder why Santa is so jolly, and how he manages to slinker down all those tight chimneys. Not only is obesity distinctly un-funny, but obese folks can’t wriggle into jeans, very much less down chimneys. (more…)