mybodybeautiful Blog

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Healthy eating and fat tax

In the last week we have had two healthy eating news items of interest.

The first, an online survey of 2000 people commissioned by PruHealth, found that the recession was having a negative impact on the respondents eating habits. The rising cost of living has resulted in them not being able to eat as healthy as they would like; with 50% stating it has unfavourably impacted their health.

Almost 70% admitted that they were finding it difficult to consume the recommended five fruit or vegetables a day. The main reason cited was that healthy foods were more expensive; 16% sock up when they are reduced or on offer.

18% of parents admitted that they were putting their children's dietary needs above their own, with 9% skipping meals to ensure their children eat well.
The recession is not only impacting health by influencing what people put into their shopping baskets. It is also impacting other health associated areas e.g. exercise. 16% had cancelled their gym membership with 27% saying they had opted to undertake free forms of exercise such as walking and running.

The second healthy eating report comes from Oxford University’s Dr Oliver Mytton and Dr Mike Rayner. They are proposing that 20% tax, dubbed ‘fat tax’, should be levied on unhealthy foods / drinks. This they argue would constitute a beneficial step towards tackling and reducing the current levels of heart disease and obesity.

Interestingly, 20% tax on unhealthy foods / drinks (the proposal is not currently being considered by the government) could potentially solve the problem of affordability, detailed in the survey above. The prerequisite being that the money was used to subsidize healthy foods as intended and not diverted elsewhere.

Monday, May 14, 2012

Beautiful or intelligent ?

In recent months my daughter has been driving the whole family mad with her ceaseless and I must add annoying questions. They all follow the same pattern, which is “would you rather be…or ….” e.g. “Would you rather be a cat or a dog? I kid you not.

Recently, she asked the following question. “Would you rather be beautiful or intelligent?” It reminded me of a newspaper article that I read a few days ago.

The article was discussing, Tom Bower (Simon Cowell’s biographer), who reportedly commented that he had had doubts about Cheryl Cole’s suitability for US X Factor, because “her real problem is she’s not very intelligent.”

Whatever you think of Cheryl Cole’s intelligence, many people e.g. Matthew Morrison (Glee) think she is beautiful.

Back to my daughter’s question. “Would you rather be beautiful or intelligent”?

I responded that’d rather be intelligent, because it took time and effort to acquire. It would therefore give me personal satisfaction and a sense of achievement. I elaborated this point by stating that intelligence could potentially give me a career/business and financial security. It also had the added benefit of not being subject to the whims of our culture’s beauty standards or ageing phobia.

“You are beautiful …. and intelligent”, I added.

“Thanks”, she said beaming.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Vogue's body image pact

Vogue magazine has decided that all their world wide editions will refrain from using unhealthy models. Secondly, models under the age of 16, will no longer feature its pages. In the past Vogue (Paris) ignited much controversy, when it published a feature using a 10-year-old girl.

Jonathan Newhouse chairman of Conde Nast International, the company that owns the Vogue title, made the following statement.

"Vogue believes that good health is beautiful”, he said. “Vogue editors around the world want the magazines to reflect their commitment to the health of the models who appear on the pages and the well-being of their readers’’.

In a bid to improve the fashion world’s contribution to body image, Vogue have committed to working with “models who, in our view, are healthy and help us to promote a healthy body image.“

Going further in their promotion of healthier body image Vogue editors:

1 have given themselves the role of “ambassadors for the message of healthy body image.''

2. have asked model agencies and casting directors to ensure that they only send them individuals to that meet the new stringent requirements. e.g. exclude all "who appear to have an eating disorder.”

3. are actively encouraging designers to "consider the consequences of unrealistically small sample (dress) sizes... which encourages the use of extremely thin models.''

4. are promoting "healthy backstage working conditions,'' incorporating healthy food options.

The Model Alliance (that campaigns for better working conditions) responded positively to Vogues stance.

"The use of underage models is linked to financial exploitation, eating disorders, interrupted schooling, and contributes to models' overall lack of empowerment in the workplace. We simply believe that 14 is too young to be working in this very grown-up industry, and we're glad that Conde Nast International is making this commitment.''

I think this is an encouraging step in the right direction. Its hope it’s a catalyst for other magazines to would follow suit.

Tuesday, May 08, 2012

Finishing the London Marathon when paralysed

I love this story. It’s very inspirational and illustrates how someone can overcome adversity, challenge themselves and, at the same time, raise thousands of pounds for a good cause.

Claire Lomas 32, started the marathon in April with 35000 runners. Since then she has been progressing at a speed of 1½ miles a day. Today, she will be the last person to cross the finishing line; 16 days after the race began.

In response to a question asking for the reason why she decided to take on the marathon challenge, Claire replied. “Before my accident (a riding accident left her paralysed from the chest down) I'd always had a lot of challenges with horses; I'm that type of person.

“You know”, she continued. “It doesn’t change who you are when you have a spinal injury. You still want to push yourself. So for that reason and the reason of raising as much as I can.

“What Claire is doing is incredible”, said TV presenter, Ben Fogle. “Proving that you can get back from a sporting injury and take on the marathon; she has been walking for days and days for spinal research, it's so uplifting”.

Claire will not be a recipient of an official London Marathon medal, because rule changes this year mean that, to qualify, participants must finish on the day.
Before taking up the marathon challenge, Claire had only walked about a mile in her ‘ReWalk’ robotic suit, which she described as a "heavy piece of kit".

To date, Claire has raised approximately £80,000 for Spinal Research.

Congratulations Claire!

Friday, May 04, 2012

Mind matters

A close friend of mine has a son who suffers from manic depression, Tourette's syndrome and other mental health issues. He is 18 years old and has recently lost counselling support, because he was no longer a child, but was not getting help as an adult. My friend said that he had "fallen out of the system", but still needed counselling. She then, knowing that I had studied counselling for 2 years, asked me to counsel him.

I kindly explained to her that I thought her son needed to see a professional mental health care specialist. Happily, she took my advice and went to see her doctor. Now her son is getting the help he desperately needs.

1 in 4 people will experience some kind of mental health problem each year. Mixed anxiety and depression is the most common mental disorder in Britain.

As a society, we tend to focus on the physical body (both healthy and unhealthy). People with mental health issues are often ignored, disadvantaged or worse abused.

As you will see from our home page, we firmly believe that '"the mind matters".

Tuesday, May 01, 2012

The K-E bridal diet

They say that what trends in America will eventually reach our shores. A new bridal dieting fad, called the K-E diet is one of the UK’s latest US imports. Its purpose is to allow brides to look their best by fitting into smaller dresses and looking slim in their wedding day photos.

The K-E (Ketogenic Enteral) diet involves tube feeding future brides a 130 calories a day, carbohydrate-free, protein and fats in liquid form diet. The strict regime continues for 10 days during which the body burns fat resulting in significant weight loss (up to 10%).
The K-E diet has attracted criticisms from health experts, Art Caplan a US bioethicist (ethical implications of biological and medical procedures), labelled the diet "stupid" and "outrageous".

The British Dietetic Association (BDA) have raised concerns about the "starvation diet" that comes with "huge risks". E.g. kidney damage.

Dr Ray Shidrawi who carries out the procedure in London told Sky News that the "KEN is a properly studied technique” (19,000 Italian patients).

“We know it does not harm you in any way," he said. "This diet leads to sustained and selective weight loss. It burns fat, not muscle."

Which ever side of the fence you sit on, one thing is clear. A ten day fad diet will not encourage a healthy attitude to food, healthier eating & lifestyle habits or enable the dieter to maintain the weight loss long term.

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Beyonce - World’s most beautiful woman

This lunchtime, while driving back from a meeting, I heard my local radio presenter say.

“Beyonce has been voted the world’s most beautiful woman”. He followed up this statement with the assertion. “No one can argue with that”!

Well, I am sure that there are many people who would ardently agree and many who would vehemently disagree.

Why? Well I know it a cliché, but beauty really is subjective.

To prove my point, look at People magazine’s top 10 beauties. I bet there are less than a handful of ours readers who would select the same 10 individuals. Taking it one step further, I’d put money on the fact that only one or two (if any), having selected the same 10 celebrities would order them identically.

Top 10:

1. Beyonce
2. Sofia Vergara
3. Charlize Theron
4. Lily Collins (daughter of Phil Collins)
5. Madeleine Stowe
6. Christina Hendricks
7. Michelle Williams
8. Paula Patton
9. Miranda Lambert
10. Kate Middleton

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Dove’s Body Confidence Census 2012

The Dove’s Body Confidence Census 2012 (1,000 women) results have been published. It details what the respondents identified as the things that increased or decreased their body/appearance related confidence.
Negative feelings/confidence killers:
- 78 % wanted to see ‘real women' in beauty advertising, rather than celebrities and teens.
- 27 % of women admitted that the biggest pressure to be beautiful actually comes from themselves.
- 25% could not remember when they last received a compliment that made them feel beautiful.
- 19 % named society and 13% named the media next on as the greatest source of beauty related pressures. Another 5% pointed their finger at friends, family and partners.
- 13 % have the confidence to describe themselves as ‘attractive’.

Positive feelings/ confidence boosters:
- 72 % stated that being loved boosted their confidence the most.
- 53 % identified having a strong relationship or marriage.
- 50 % specified receiving compliments (unfortunately the number of compliments received reduced with age).
- 35% cited liking how they looked.
- 33% associated it with their level of fitness.
- 31% put it down to taking care of themselves.

25 to 29 year olds were the most assured about their looks.

The census suggests that the happiest and most confident women are those who are in a strong relationship and feel loved. This is not surprising; self worth/confidence is closely associated with how much a person feels accepted and valued by others.
It’s clear that the best way to reduce lack of confidence is for the media to show women other women who have bodies similar to themselves/other women they know (age and body size/shape). Again, no surprise; this would significantly reduce the disparity between what women see in the mirror and what they see in the media.

Friday, April 20, 2012

Vanity verses health & fitness

A survey commissioned by Cancer Research UK Race for Life, has found that 70% of the 2000 young women (aged18-24) questioned, acknowledged that they didn’t do the minimum recommend amount of exercise that is required to maintain long-term good health. This equates to 30 minutes of moderate physical activity five times a week.

Vanity (59%) was identified as the main culprit.

These women tended to avoid exercise in favour of inactivity, an act that could increase their rise of cancer (3,000 cancers each year), obesity and psychological illnesses.

The reason behind the unhealthy choices are:
- high heels (43 % were more likely to take the stairs if they were wearing low/sensible shoes).
- ruining their hair and makeup (16%)
- unflattering gym gear (14 %)

Jo Hemmings (behavioural psychologist) said: “These statistics show that there is a disturbing trend for young women to place a higher value on their physical appearance rather than on their long term health, yet these days there is no need to have to sacrifice the way you look in order to maintain your fitness”.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Pinterest - Social media

The new social media rising star Pinterest (launched in 2010), where members pin and share photos, has taken action to stop dangerous harmful content e.g. 'thinspiration' images appearing on their site.

Pinterest joins Facebook and Tumblr, in the fight against content that could result in harm.

The new acceptance criteria for it’s 10 million users (and growing rapidly), prohibits the pinning of any image that 'creates a risk of harm, loss, physical or mental injury, emotional distress, death, disability, disfigurement, or physical or mental illness to yourself, to any other person, or to any animal.'

Pinterest early efforts to tackle dangerous messages that are detrimental to the health of its community e.g. 'pro-ana' supporters that share images of emaciated women and encourage extreme dieting is commendable.

Monday, April 16, 2012

#PopSingersDontEat

On Friday Lady Gaga sent a tweet that flies in the face of her campaign to encourage other to abandon dieting in favour of loving themselves for who they are.

She twitted “Just killed back to back spin classes. Eating a salad dreaming of a cheeseburger". She ended the message with the hash tag "#PopSingersDontEat".

Lady Gaga’s tweet may have been sent as nothing more than a playful joke. Whatever the original intention, it has attracted a lot of criticism from her followers and has diluted the effect of her ‘Born This Way message’.

Follower replies included the following:

“Dear @ladygaga, you just blatantly endorsed anorexia to over 22 million followers.”
“@ladygaga pick a side... Do you want to promote beautiful and healthy kids,
or anorexia?”
“Huh? This is the same person who recently implored girls to stop dieting?”
(the National Eating Disorders Association)

Lady Gaga has not replied (so far).

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Micro and mini beauty pageant

Would you let your baby, toddler or daughter enter a beauty pageant; in which she wears high heels, makeup, fake tan and a bikini?

In May, Miss Mini Princess UK, Britain's first baby beauty pageant (mimicking the US) will be held.

Pageant categories include:-
Baby Princess – Under 1
Tiny Princess – 1 Year olds
Little Princess – 2 and 3 year olds
Petite Princess – 4 – 6 year olds
Little Miss Princess – 7 – 10 year olds

Contestants will be judged on their physical attractiveness, talents including dancing and overall charisma when dressed in chic clothing.

Unsurprisingly, the contest attracted a good deal of controversy, not least because of fears that it will lead to the premature sexualisation of very young girls.

This concern is evidenced by Claude Knight's (director of the children’s charity Kidscape) comments on the issue. “I’m very concerned about this sort of contest for such young girls. Not only is there the ‘Lolita’ issue of little girls being sexualised, dressing as adults and not being aware of the sort of feelings this can provoke in others, but they are also too young to give informed consent".

With girls so young, we must look to the children's mothers, in order to learn the real reasons why the babies/girls are taking part. It's clear that the mothers are getting something, in all likelihood more, out of their daughter’s participation in the pageant, than the little girls themselves.

I don’t have a problem with little girls dressing up and role playing; it’s a normal part of growing up. However, I am concerned that these children are being taught that their value is closely connected to how they look and that society will judge them on that basis.

This is undoubtedly an unwise and potentially dangerous message to etch on their young minds. It could have harmful long-term consequences on their self worth.

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Comparing then and now

15 years after the release of the blockbuster Titanic, comes the 3D version and the expected comparisons of 'then' and 'now'.

Although there was no Kate Winslet and Leo DiCaprio reunion, the release of the 3D film, still had elements of a reunion. Reunions often give rise to mixed emotions. Alongside the excitement of meeting up with old friends and acquaintances, sits anxiety associated with comparing yourself to others.

Will I be less prosperous? Will I have achieved less professionally, have more failed relationships or have less accomplished children?

Then there is the touchy issue of physical appearance. Will I look older, fatter, less well dressed, have more gray hairs or less hair than my peers? The list is much longer than the few I’ve highlighted.

"We do look very different, we're older", said Kate in a recent ITV Daybreak interview about the new release. "Leo’s 37, I'm 36; we were 21 and 22 when we made that film."

"You know he's fatter now; I’m thinner". Almost as if realising that a comparison which is unflattering to her co-star Leo was inappropriate, she added a little defensively. “It’s true though!”

Commenting on her thoughts about their younger selves, she said. “I put my glasses on and I sat there all excited and then the second my face came on I was like, "Oh my God, make it stop, switch it off, somebody make it stop, turn the sound down, is that what we looked like? Oh my God, look what I looked like and look what Leo looks like!"

Friday, April 06, 2012

Do women hate beautiful women?

An article by the Daily Mail writer Samantha Brick titled, "Why women hate me for being so beautiful," has been the catalyst to much internet uproar, speculation and controversy.

The editorial resulted in a record number of public comments; most in hostile disagreement of the sentiments she expressed.

In a follow-up article Samantha stated: "The past 24 hours have been, to be blunt, among the most horrendous of my life."

In light of the enormous international public response, Samantha Brick when onto ITV 1's Good Morning to clarify her position.

"Do I think I'm good looking? Yes, I do. Is that a crime? she asked. The question underlined Samantha's belief that that she is hated simply because she is beautiful.

"Women do not like attractive women," she continued. "Neither me nor my friends have any problem with beauty, but we do not like arrogance. People mistake self-confidence for arrogance, but it's a fact that women can't stand beautiful women."

"This whole experience has proven my thesis", she added. "Women do not like attractive women. This is proven by the thousands of vile messages on my personal email account, on Twitter, and on my telephone answering machine."
Programme host Ruth Langford, commented. "It's not that we don't like beautiful women; it's that we don't like arrogant women."

In response, Samantha completely dismissed the possibility that her personality or attitude could play a role in how she was perceived by others. "People mistake self-confidence for arrogance", she said. "But it's a fact that women are not nice to one another. They all stab each other in the backs in my experience."

As in the case of the original article, This Morning was inundated with viewer comments.

'She's OK looking, but it's what's inside that counts,' said one. “It's much nicer to not say you're beautiful”, said another. Co host Eamonn Holmes adding that it was “better to let others discover your beauty than to tell them about it.”

Whether you are one of the outraged opposing majority or one of the few less vocal supporting minority, one thing is clear. There was nothing beautiful; on the contrary, there was something decidedly ugly about how the events unfolded.

Tuesday, April 03, 2012

The calories we eat

“I think I’ll have a milk shake”, said my daughter scanning the Pizza Hut menu. I thought nothing else about the statement and continued reading my own menu, in a bid to decide what I wanted. Moments later, I was startled out of contemplation by my daughters shocked screech.

“I’m not having that”, she said, “its 490 calories. That’s loads”!

After inspecting the calorific values of the food on the menu, I also decided to forego a calorie-ladened (557) Banoffee Cookie Dough. Looking down the menu, it was disconcerting to see how many calories the desserts contained. Without thinking, it would have been very easy for each of us (myself and 2 children) to consume in excess of 1000 calories.

Article

Friday, March 30, 2012

'No one is ever 100 per cent'

This week, in an interview with ITV1’s Daybreak, 24 year old Rihanna stated that she had learnt to "accept" her body.

"You get comfortable with the fact that that's your body and it is what it is", she said. "That, I had to learn. After doing that on set, I started doing that in the mirror. It was like, 'OK, whatever; I feel fat today, but what can you really do about it?' You just accept your body. You may not love it all the way but you just have to be comfortable with it."

Despite a noticeably slimmer figure that is envied by a myriad of admirers, Rihanna commented that she also compares herself unfavourably to others.

"You just want something else, that someone else has, but that doesn't mean what you have isn't beautiful," she said.
"People always want what you have and you always want what they have. No one is ever 100 per cent".

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Living to 100

35% of the babies born this year will live to celebrate their 100th birthday in 2112 (Office for National Statistics).

This year, 14,500 people are expected to reach their centenary. By 2035 the figure is expected to have increased to 110,000.

I find the idea of living to my 100th birthday rather exciting, but only if I am healthy, self sufficient and have a good quality of life.

After much discussion and reading numerous online comments on this subject; it’s clear that many people fear an old age in which they are in poor mental or physical health (increasing), lonely or abused. There is a clear preference for quality over quantity.

Monday, March 26, 2012

More than a body

On Saturday, during the first instalment of the new series of Britain's Got Talent (BGT), Simon Cowell went from saying (about the same overweight, poorly dressed teenager)

this:

"just when you thought things couldn’t get any worse".

followed by this:

"Jonathon, you are unbelievable. Seriously, you have an outstandingly good voice..... You are a future star".

in less than 3 minutes.

To be fair to Simon; he wasn't the only one who initially expected very little from 17 year old Jonathan Antoine and his friend 16 year old Charlotte Jaconelli. As the duo entered the stage, some members of the BGT audience jeered derisively, others rolled their eyes, a few slumped back in their chairs, suddenly uninterested. The most shocking moment occurred when the camera zoomed in on section of audience, who had raised themselves out of their seats and were visibly laughing as they stared down at the stage.

Well I think we can all agree that Jonathon had the last laugh. Not only did he achieve a standing ovation from the audience and judges; he also achieved another goal that he revealed to the Mail On Sunday.

"I was hoping that because I don’t look like a typical person who’d be in the limelight, it would help. I’d like to show that a person is more than a body."

Video

Friday, March 23, 2012

Stop eating hormone

This week’s Horizon programme, ‘The Truth About Fat’ (BBC2), must have made many overweight people look meaningfully, at anyone who held them accountable for their weight and state, with much gusto, ‘I told you so’!

Overweight people can now, with some scientific evidence, point their finger at:

    1. their hormones, which are not doing an effective job of controlling their feelings of hunger and fullness
    2. their mother’s diet during pregnancy
    3. genetics

Whether an individual is overweight because of factors they can't control, or because they make unwise food choices and adopt an unhealthy lifestyle; the fact remains that an overweight individual (otherwise healthy adult), is the only person who can decide to change the situation in which they find themselves.

'It's not fair', I'm sure many overweight people are shouting, in envious frustration as they compare themselves to 'naturally thin' people; whose bodies are better equipped at turning on the 'I'm full, so stop eating' hormone.

Hopefully, this and related research will lead to real and sustainable solutions to weight gain.

Until then, we should all try to maintain a healthy weight and life style. Some people will have to use a lot more willpower than others. Whatever the level of willpower required; I think the goal, good health, is worth the effort.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Jamie Oliver

Last week while on a visit to Australia, 'healthy school dinners ', Jamie Oliver was asked about his weight gain.

"I don't know," he responded. "I am very healthy. I think the last time I had a filling in my teeth, which was quite recently, I was in good nick." He then added. "Are you from a tabloid? Thank you for noticing, you bitch."

Most people are sensitive about weight gain; Jamie is no different. The fact that he is known for his healthy food and anti obesity campaigns (UK, US and Australia) must have made the journalist’s observation harder to handle.

Jamie Oliver duly apologized for his bad-mannered retort stating. "I went out last night and had a few drinks after a very long day. My brain did not quite understand that question."

The controversy reminded me of a debate I had a few months ago with a group of 10 or so women. We were discussing the case of a female fitness instructor, who lost her job because she had gained a considerable amount of weight. Her employees argued that she did not look fit and would not have any credibility with customers.

Commenting on Jamie’s outburst, Curtis Stone who co-hosts 'The Talk' seemed to agree with the Gym that sacked the overweight instructor.

"You’ve got to practise what you preach”, he said. “We’ve all had different relationships with food; some great, some not so great. But when you’ve got a place in the TV world of responsibility, you’ve got to follow through.”

Body Image Blog