To most people, “Physical: Asia” probably reads as any regular athletic competition show, but for some Asian Americans like me, it’s been awakening something else. It’s the first time I’ve seen so many people of Asian descent with so many different body types on TV. Growing up in the West, Asian bodies have been depicted as weak, subservient and physically small. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve been examining beliefs that have held me back and prevented me from growing. Read: This Season's Love Is Blind Reminded Me That Asian Men Need To Love Themselves MorePerceptions of Asian bodies are not solely cultural, of course: Body mass and fat depends on a variety of factors, including environment, diet and genetics.
