Academic slams Beth Ditto for making obesity more normal
"Beth Ditto and James Corden have been criticised for apparently making weight-gain appear normal.
Professor Michael McMahon - speaking after a report revealed almost a quarter (23 per cent) of the population have a body mass index (BMI) that classifies them as obese, compared to 11 per cent 10 years ago - said: "The increasing profile of larger celebrities, for example James Corden, Eamonn Holmes, Ruth Jones and Beth Ditto, 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."
Researchers found many obese people refused to take any action about their situation with almost one in five (17 per cent) not contemplating doing anything to lose weight.
It also found many obese people fail to recognise they have a problem at all.
Professor McMahon said: "The increased acceptance of obesity is alarming. It is disappointing that in the last five years the emergency services have had to respond to over 1,700 requests to help move obese patients stuck in their homes. However, there are probably numerous social and environmental factors behind it.
"The majority of people go to see a doctor within one week of noticing a cold, cough or ingrown toenail, but the same people ignore obesity problems for a number of years before seeking professional help. This delay could be fatal."
For years and years there have been alarmingly thin people on TV, in music, movies, everywhere, all of a sudden a few fat people pop up and it's "YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF WHAT YOU'RE DOING!"
Yet another example of overweight people being further pushed out by society.
That would be a fair point if we had been subjected to major overexposure of fat celebrities for as long as we have with thin celebrities, but we haven't.
Or if it had been rammed down our throats time and time again that unless you are fat, you are ugly and abnormal. But it hasn't.
Seriously the country's getting fatter and people are looking for something to blame. That's all.
Yes, the country is getting fatter, but normalising obesity isn't the best thing to do. Being overweight can cause serious health problems, and education for people about these should be more prominent. Everyone knows that 'celebs' like Paris Hilton are too thin, and half the time they get condemned, others they get praised.
We can just have folk in tv of 'normal' size tho, people come in all shapes and sizes and i dont think anyone looks at Eamonn Holmes and thinks yes i want to be THAT! (no offence Eamonn you are quite lovely), And i love Ruth Jones!!
But i dont think celebritites do influence body size. Maybe i'm wrong. But if we can only have people of a healthy weight on tv then a lot of people would have to be cut out i would imagine.
god i had nothing to say on this,apart from I love Beth Ditto a lot and yeah....she makes me feel less crap about myself.x
There are times to stay put, and what you want will come to you.
But there are times to go out into the world and find such a thing for yourself.
I aint no abacus but you can count on me.
whaaa?
**** off, Beth Ditto is a ****ing inspiration.
She doesn't make obesity more normal, she shows that even if you're 'big' you can still be confident and whatever
whaaa?
**** off, Beth Ditto is a ****ing inspiration.
She doesn't make obesity more normal, she shows that even if you're 'big' you can still be confident and whatever
I don't think anyone looks at them and thinks "Oh yeah, obesity is acceptable" In fact, that is a more likely outcome of seeing underweight celebs as they are far more prominent in the media.
I think the problem with overweight celebs is that in the backlash of the underweight celebs everyone popped up saying "Look at me, I'm big and proud." Now, this is commendable in some respects because it is pointing out that a person can still be successful without fitting in to that prescribed 'acceptable' skinny image...but I think that making obesity something to be proud of is just as bad because ultimately it is still unhealthy.
It does seem though, that there is going to be more of a fuss made about overweight celebs slimming down, but there isn't the same sort of pressure on underweight celebs to gain any weight - there is pressure for the underweight but I think that people let it go a bit quicker.
I am so sick and tired of the media constantly focusing on weight in any extreme. It is always about pointing out those who look too skinny and then slamming anyone who puts on a bit of weight.
The media needs a bit of normality and instead of making a whoo-ha over it, it should just be the acceptable norm.
I think it's only fair if the really thin members of society are blasted for it then the bigger members should be too. Both have their health issues.
This &
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lou Lou
I think the problem with overweight celebs is that in the backlash of the underweight celebs everyone popped up saying "Look at me, I'm big and proud." Now, this is commendable in some respects because it is pointing out that a person can still be successful without fitting in to that prescribed 'acceptable' skinny image...but I think that making obesity something to be proud of is just as bad because ultimately it is still unhealthy.
This.
Last edited by Dreaming. : 29-06-2009 at 07:43 PM.
To be fair I think if you're living your life according to what you see on TV you have bigger problems than your weight.
I can understand why they're making a deal of this. They make a deal of the super skinny and both are big problems in society. But there is a much greater proportion of super skinny celebrities. It think it's be healthier to have a wide range in the media, skinny, obese and (ideally) predominantly healthy. That way there is someone for everyone to look at and go "they're like me, people like me and can get far"
Because we're all people in the end, fat, thin, black, white, rich, poor. No one deserves to be ostracized or publically slated.
People are assuming that shes a rolemodel of overweightness. Its not that ppl think shes acceptable being overweight they think shes an inspiration for being proud of herself, not for being overweight but for being successful, liked, loved, talented etc. The fact shes overweight doesnt spoil her, it doesnt spoil anything, and thats what shes overcome. The stupid idea that you cant be beautiful BECAUSE your overweight.
I love her, shes awesome, I wish I had her confidence. **** this academic, and as said, if everyone devoutly listened to the media, surely we'd all be starving by now.
PS and to add, its not that I think overweight should be commended, its that I think the reality of individuality should be respected, that goes for overweight and underweight.
Last edited by surprising mystery : 29-06-2009 at 08:21 PM.
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This is a load of crap.
You don't hear them tell complete twigs like Victoria Beckham and all the rest to go and get some help with their eating.
But oh no, someone isn't "normal" so they slam them. I actually thank god that there's some people out there that can be happy being who they are.
'Coincidence...it's what the Universe does for...fun.'
The Doctor
Fitzwilliam there have been so many articles about models encouraging anorexia and names have been named and Victoria Beckham has been singled out as a culprit, along with Nicole Richie, Kate Moss, Amy Winehouse, so yes you do hear that. Also you seem to be implying that being fat is abnormal but being underweight is normal :
Quote:
You don't hear them tell complete twigs like Victoria Beckham and all the rest to go and get some help with their eating.
But oh no, someone isn't "normal" so they slam them.
Is that what you meant to put across?
Personally I think it's a good thing, because whilst Beth Ditto may be talented and may be a role model because of how confident she is, she should never be a role model for her size, the same as how one could argue Amy Winehouse is a role model for her voice but should never be a role model for her size, her self harm or her drug taking.
I meant to say that Beth Ditto isn't normal...as in normal in the media's eyes.
Like the thin celebs are normal in the eyes of the media and people....whether that is wrong or right is another debate!
Sorry if I came across wrong...was in a bit of a rant...=/
'Coincidence...it's what the Universe does for...fun.'
The Doctor
It's ok, Jo. I don't mind being mixed up with Heidi, I think we tend to agree anyway.
Thin 'celebrities' are constantly blasted for being too thin, and then too 'fat' if they happen to put on any weight. Then there are those like Fern Britten who is bigger. She is lauded as being 'a real woman' which, personally, I feel does more harm than good. Some people are naturally thin, like others are naturally bigger. Some have curves, some don't. All are real women.
