I'm "a 44 (ouch) year old part-time working mum of 2 gorgeous boys (7 & 1), married for 15 years to their lovely Dad".


Even we "skinnies" feel overwhelmed by the images portrayed all the time in magazines/the telly/ films - and the women we're looking at are not real, they are very slim with silicone DD boobs slapped on. You only get proper boobs if you are not skinny, plus the magazine photos have been completely touched up, so even the faces aren't real. The whole thing leaves all ordinary women feeling inadequate, whether you are overweight or normal weight. These feelings of inadequacy probably encourage comfort eating. Maybe we would all be "normal weight" if we were left alone to enjoy our food in peace, without feelings of guilt! If the state wants to help, I think it should:-

get the manufacturers to improve our food - cut back on hidden salt and sugar that we don't need (bread, breakfast cereals, canned beans etc)

get advertising of products to feature attractive normal weight people instead of just skinnies

get school dinners sorted out (and the vending machines). They could still be tasty with lower fat/sugar/salt. An teach chidren how to cook easy, quick, healthy meals.

encourage employers to offer staff exercise opportunities in their lunchhours. I think most people these days do not have time to fit exercise into their busy working days (and they end up buying ready meals to heat up on their return from work).


In fact, I don't think this bullying tactic we're seeing this week is the answer. People won't be helped by it, and there's a danger they will hide at home and become less active.

I could not agree more.