Lee Humphreys, mobile and social media researcher and professor of Communication at Cornell University, says the reason for YouTubers ¬– like Nicole Arbour – to say things that will get attention is to boost name recognition and gain followers, not have people agree with the message.

Humphreys says: “YouTubers, or people who make their livelihoods through social media platforms like YouTube are encouraged to say things that will garner attention, whether good or bad. It doesn’t matter if people are clicking on their videos and sharing them because they agree with the message or disagree with it. The YouTuber wins either way.

“Suggesting that people are overweight solely because of their choices is just inaccurate. There are a variety of factors which cause obesity in this country including: low self esteem, mental health, poverty, the multimillion dollar advertising campaigns by fast food and sugar-sweetened beverage companies.

“Making people feel shameful about themselves is not going to help the problem. No one ever chooses to be overweight or obese.“

Cornell University has television, ISDN and dedicated Skype/Google+ Hangout studios available for media interviews.