Weight obsession is a threat to health

I WISH to express my views on the obsession people have with weight. As a 16-year-old girl, I know exactly what I’m talking about.

Every magazine and newspaper bombards us with either too-thin celebrities or obese children. On one hand, we hear about the large increase in eating disorders while, on the other, we are constantly exposed to images of obese adults and children.

Especially worrying is the news that children’s uniforms are now being made up to a 42-inch waist and that children are on average four stone heavier than their grandparents.

While remedies must be found, irresponsible weight loss is not the way forward. There has also been an increase in eating disorders in Ireland, particularly among young males between the ages of 15 and 25.

Every one in five sufferers is male and the media and peer pressure to be thin has never before had such devastating effects for both sexes.

Nutrition should be used as an educational tool. Stop this unhealthy obsession with weight.

Orla O’Regan

South Schull

Schull

Co Cork