Wednesday 1 July 2009

If It's Really True...

...that 'chubby celebrities' are encouraging obesity, as Michael McMahon, an 'obesity expert' claims, why the hell are the only ones mentioned people I've barely even heard of?
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.
Heard of the first two, though I wouldn't call Eamonn Holmes 'obese'.
James Corden and Ruth Jones, of award-winning sitcom Gavin and Stacey, are also of generous proportions.
Nope, never heard of these two. Is the tv show popular with da youf, then..?
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.'
Unfortunate choice of phrasing there...

But it seems McMahon is on a mission:
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.'
What do you suggest, doc? The Fat Police? Compulsory dieting? No 'celebrities' over 8 stone?

9 comments:

TDK said...

Beth Ditto (as you've no doubt found out) is the latest media sensation to be feted by the media.

Your man is on dangerous territory attacking Beth Ditto, who is described as larger-than-life lesbian activist who was so poor she had to eat squirrels.

What I found interesting is that she is pulling down stereotypes about what lesbian woman should look like, and stand for. Well obviously!

Normally obese woman are an opportunity to talk about the wicked fashion industry and its fetishisation of skinniness. Something she covers here.

It must be tough to be a journalist. Should we support Beth for her promotion of a "positive body image", in opposition to body fascism or should we use her as an example of the wickedness of the food industry. So many evil people, so little time.

Time Traveller said...

Statistically, an overweight person's life expectancy is no different to that of the population as a whole.

However, by carefully making it up, I have proved that a person who has nothing better to do than interfere with another person's life by foisting their climate change alarmism/health scare views on them, will worry themselves into the grave several years early.

It's peer-reviewed, oh yes...

Angry Exile said...

What a nice bloke Professor McMahon must be. Strength Through Joy!

Anonymous said...

Gavin and Stacey is, IMHO, the best comedy on television. Series 3 is currently being recorded, to be shown later in the year. If it follows the route of the two previous series, it will be aired on BBC3 first.

Oh, I'm in my 40s, not down wit da yoof!

Mercurius Aulicus said...

Physicians, like Dr McMahon, won't be happy until people have got ration cards and have orgainised compulsory calisthenics everyday.

Gibby Haynes said...

Beth Ditto? I think I lost my boner. Forever.

Oh, and Eamann Holmes is more annoying than obese. But I don't see why he can't be both. The rest of these assholes, I haven't heard of.

David Gillies said...

Being slightly overweight is prophylactic against a whole range of illnesses. The mildly chubby live longer. This is just a fact. On the other hand, being underweight is seriously bad for you. And obviously being 5' 4" and 19 stone is likewise not the healthiest of things.

But it is not the job of bloody doctors to go meddling in this. It is their job to dispense pills and stitch people up, and to remain absolutely silent the rest of the time. One's weight is completely within one's control, no matter what the moaning fatties might say. You don't have a glandular problem, you don't have big bones; you're just a pie-chomping hog who needs to eat less and exercise more. I used to be overweight and am no longer. I didn't blame anyone except myself when I was a porker and I don't credit anyone but myself now I'm not one.

And if that Beth Ditto got to look the way she does by eating squirrels the damn things would be extinct by now.

JuliaM said...

"..the latest media sensation to be feted by the media..."

Ah, the New Celebrity...

"I have proved that a person who has nothing better to do than interfere with another person's life by foisting their climate change alarmism/health scare views on them, will worry themselves into the grave several years early."

We should be so lucky...

"Physicians, like Dr McMahon, won't be happy until people have got ration cards and have orgainised compulsory calisthenics everyday."

Just other people, though. Not them...

"..Eamann Holmes is more annoying than obese..."

Yup, 'obese' isn't the first thing that springs to mind when I think of Eamonn Holmes...

"But it is not the job of bloody doctors to go meddling in this."

It probably isn't, for most of them. Just the annoying ones that get the grants, government jobs and media access.

Rob said...

Surely, if we didn't have fat celebrities, that would be exclusion and a Hate Crime?

"First do no harm". Doctors do realise, surely, that lobbying for an authoritarian police state to enforce "good health" in everyone will do harm, serious harm?