What a wonderful message to send out to young kids who are worried about their weight…….
If you are fat you shouldn’t be able to be famous!
And we wonder why so many teenagers are starving themselves to be thin!
From The Daily Mail:
How chubby stars ‘are feeding the obesity epidemic’… by proving it is possible to be fat AND famous
By Fiona Macrae
29th June 2009
Role models: James Corden and Ruth Jones are of generous proportionsChubby celebrities are stoking the obesity crisis by proving it is possible to be fat and famous, doctors have warned.
Michael McMahon, an obesity expert and surgeon, said that super-skinny stars have long been blamed for fuelling anorexia and the reverse is true too.
The high profile of larger stars such as TV presenter Eamonn Holmes, comedian Johnny Vegas and singer Beth Ditto has shown that being plump is no barrier to success.
James Corden and Ruth Jones, of award-winning sitcom Gavin and Stacey, are also of generous proportions.
Professor McMahon, of the Nuffield Health private healthcare chain, said: ‘The increasing profile of larger celebrities means that being overweight is now perceived as being ‘normal’ in the eyes of the public.
‘We talk about the dangers of skinny media images but the problem actually swings both ways.’
Obesity cuts life expectancy by up to ten years and raises the risk of a host of health problems including diabetes, heart disease, infertility and some cancers.
There is increasing concern that bulging waistlines are being accepted as the norm.
A study published in the British Medical Journal last year found that obesity levels had doubled in an eight-year period but fewer people thought their weight was a concern.
Parents of overweight children are also in denial, with many dismissing dangerous levels of plumpness as ‘puppy fat’.
And research by Nuffield Health has shown that one in 12 British adults is so overweight that they could qualify for obesity surgery.
Plump: Beth Ditto proves that being overweight is no barrier for successA BMI below 18.5 is regarded as underweight, above 25 is overweight and above 30 is regarded as obese.
Guidelines state that gastric bands should be considered for those with a BMI of 35 who have other health problems such as high blood pressure or diabetes and fitted in those with BMIs of 40 even if they don’t have other symptoms.
One in 12 of those surveyed had a BMI of 35 or above – potentially making them eligible for gastric band surgery.
This suggests that across Britain, up to 3.6million men and women are so fat that going under the knife is the best option.
Professor McMahon said: ‘If people continue to turn a blind eye to their weight problems, they will see their life expectancy considerably shortened.
‘The new research suggests that if the rise in obesity continues at this rate, the majority of the British population could be obese before the turn of the century.
‘Clearly this is a situation that cannot be allowed to happen.’
“Michael McMahon, an obesity expert and surgeon, said that super-skinny stars have long been blamed for fuelling anorexia and the reverse is true too. “
The suggestion by an obsesity expert that someone cannot be fat and famous will do more to fuel anorexia than super-skinny stars.
And that is what’s being suggested here. Overweight people should be ostracised from society and not seen on TV.
Would we be saying the same thing about other so called “undesirable” groups?
Maybe Christian nutters will start coming out and saying that gay celebrities is turning kids into homosexuals!
“The increasing profile of larger celebrities means that being overweight is now perceived as being ‘normal’ in the eyes of the public.”
No it means that society does not discriminate against people and ostracise them just because of what they look like or what lifestyles they lead.
Overweight people seem to be fair game! We can attack them and make them out to be terrible people. We do not do this with any other social group and quite rightly.
Young people today face enough confusion when it comes to issues over their weight without some self appointed health guardian telling them that being fat should stop them from being famous.
If young girls start starving themselves because they think they can’t be famous if they are a bit paunchy then this so called “expert” might want to consider where the blame for eating disorder lies.
Maybe it’s the self appointed health police who are fueling these health problems amongst youngsters.
July 14, 2009 at 8:08 pm |
The “haves” and “have nots” – it’s a game of weight and size. I have two sons; one is tall and thin, the other is average height and stocky but BOTH have great self esteem and respect people of all differences. I am so not going to keep my mouth quiet about the false ideology that “thin is in”. You are correct; millions of people, especially young women, have eating disorders and weight problems. This is what I call an impact of society’s “bad fati-itude” and it’s not going to ruin my life. No matter what, it is important for men, women, girls and boys to be empowered and not to succumb to a desire to be a human toothpick; it’s ugly. Healthy can be healthy at any size. Yes weight contributes to other problems but it is entirely possible for someone to be overweight and be healthy otherwise. More so, they can be happy. For those who have no respect for larger people: grow the heck up and stop being so ignorant. I can sing, paint and sculpt the pants out of some of Hollywood’s biggest anorexics. Nobody can prove to me that being thin is all that matters. As a parent and a human being, I will continue to foster positive in the culture that is so hung up on weight. I was recently repeatedly threatened and harassed out of a job (forced into resignation), due to my weight. I am 5′10″ and curvy – and proud of it, but my Supervisor and Director had “personal issues” with just that. Do not tolerate workplace discrimination relative to weight – or for any matter. Stand up and let your voice be heard. You can read more by visiting my blog at: weightyissueswithjill.wordpress.com, or you can view a three segment video that I recently made on my discrimination experience by visiting YouTube.com. My channel name is: EnvisionRevision.
It’s time for reform; people need to become better educated and more tolerant. Great article!