London, Oct 28 American 'fat clubs' are gaining instant popularity among the plus-sized partygoers.

Club Bounce and The Butterfly Lounge are among the few venues in California that cater specifically to people who have not been welcomed elsewhere because of their size.

Lisa Marie Garbo, the owner of Club Bounce, started it five years ago for herself and others who were uncomfortable of being "the only fat girl at the local nightclub".

"I don't think fat is a bad word any more. I think a lot of people embrace it now," the Telegraph quoted her, as saying.

"I'm not a gain-weight advocate or anything like that. My message to people is live your life no matter what size you are," she added.

Lynn McAfe, from the Council On Size and Weight Discrimination, said: "It's nice to have a place to go where you can do a little flirting and maybe bring your thin sister or somebody from work who isn't fat, and they'll be in your world for a while.

"That's an amazing experience for a lot of people who aren't fat, to spend a day or night in a world of fat people."

Vanessa Gray, a Club Bounce customer, said: "When you're not what they consider ideal and you're out there trying to get your dance on at those other places, you get the looks, the stares. But not here. Everything's accepted here."

However, some experts are worried that the presence of these clubs may worsen the already high rates of obesity. (ANI)