The Big Issue
Last week it was revealed that obesity poses a huge threat to our future. At the same time one of the world's leading experts on body image tells not to diet and a figurehead of the size-acceptance campaign sheds pounds. So who are we meant to believe ... and what are we meant to do ? Susan Flockhart goes in search of answers
Almost a quarter of a century after fat became a feminist issue, the internet is choked with the stories of emaciated women. Log on to any one of the proliferation of pro-anorexia websites and you enter a terrifying world of iron wills and cavernous stomachs, where anorexics and bulimics share tips on successful starvation and where the inspirational mantras include gems such as: 'It's better to be thin and dead than fat and living.'
In 1978, Fat Is A Feminist Issue, Susie Orbach's seminal book on body image, exposed the moral bankruptcy of an image-mad, slim-crazy culture. Some 25 years later, the number of young people with eating disorders is rising. Time and again, stars such as Kate Winslet, Sophie Dahl, and Geri Halliwell make public declarations that they don't give a stuff about cellulite, only to reappear months later with slimmed-down, toned-up frames and scarcely credible explanations about breastfeeding, yoga, or hectic work schedules. Only occasionally is it revealed that some of those who publicly pooh-pooh the pressure to be thin are privately desperate for chicken-bone thighs. Some, like Geri Halliwell -- whose bulimia drove her to scavenge leftovers from George Michael's dustbin -- have secretly been starving, bingeing, and throwing up.
Changing Perspectives on Obesity
But some things have changed in the past 24 years. First, the growing number of body-conscious men means fat is no longer just a feminist issue -- it affects everyone, such as the parents of those boys who now account for 20% of adolescents suffering eating disorders. And second, despite our preoccupation with weight-loss, the population has actually grown fatter. Much fatter. In two decades, the average British man has gained eight kilos, while his female counterpart has put on six and a half. One in five British adults is clinically obese and, if trends continue, a quarter of the population will be that way by 2010.
Last week health experts warned that the obesity pandemic represents the biggest challenge in humanity's evolutionary history. Already there are people whose worlds have been reduced to the size of their dingy bedrooms because standard NHS wheelchairs won't support their weight. A feminist issue? Fat is a medical emergency.
Questioning the Body-Image Agenda
So where does that leave the body-image agenda, which has focused for 25 years on slating the 'culture of thinness' promoted by the media and has called instead for 'realistic' role models? At a time when obesity poses a grave threat to children's health, shouldn't we be changing the record?
Sad though it is that two-thirds of British women dislike their bodies and that almost half are on diets, the truth is that nearly half of us are officially overweight. Perhaps we are right to be dissatisfied with our unhealthy bodies. Maybe it is time to think the unthinkable and admit that, actually, we could do with losing a few pounds.
Reevaluating the Approach to Weight Loss
Except it is not quite that simple. The field of human body-weight is fraught with emotional complexities. And Orbach, who was also psychotherapist to a bulimic Princess Diana, argues that we will never solve anything unless we stop the nagging and the guilt-tripping and start engaging with the emotional issues that lead us to overeat in the first place.
Basically, she says, we should accept our growing girths, buy larger clothes, and give in to American campaigners' demands for bigger airline seats.
The Impact of Emotional Issues
Orbach is looking forward to the results of last year's Size UK survey, which is expected to show that today's average body is much bigger than that of 50 years ago. Her campaigning organization AnyBody wants 'ethically' manufactured clothes that are 'not displayed on mannequins who are only one size' to be marked with a logo, and is also working on subversive advertisements designed to 'broaden the aesthetic', subtly promoting the idea that you don't have to be thin to be gorgeous.
There is, of course, a health difference between being size 18 and being clinically obese. And, says Orbach, what we should be doing is accepting variety. 'Because if you want a policy that says we need to change, you don't do that by saying, 'You're a bad person, you're terrible. You do it by acknowledging where people are,'' she says.
The Emotional Complexity of Food and Eating
Right now, says Orbach, we are extremely messed up about food. In fact, she believes continuous dieting is partly to blame for the rise in obesity because it makes us lose touch with normal bodily mechanisms that regulate eating.
'Our girls are raised by a generation of mothers who've been so assaulted by this themselves that, from very early in their lives, their appetites might have been watched, curtailed, and managed rather than simply developed,' she says. 'It's as though we've distorted the mechanism that would allow us to eat in a straightforward, engaged, and enjoyable way. So food becomes an arena in which you're either depriving yourself or rebelling, and that really messes up your metabolism.'
Even babies are absorbing their mothers' anxieties along with their milk. Orbach thinks health visitors should look out for eating problems in the same way they do for post-natal depression.
The Weight Loss Dilemma
Schools should encourage 'emotional literacy', so that 'children have language to speak about what's troubling them, to have their emotions accepted, so that they don't use this mechanism -- whether it's food or drugs or whatever -- as a way to handle distress.'
Orbach's latest book, On Eating, is a self-help guide to breaking destructive patterns such as dieting, comfort eating, or bingeing by tuning into the body's natural signals. That means eating only when physically hungry, choosing foods you really want, and stopping the minute you are full.
Orbach loathes the dieting industry, and says that AnyBody plans to take a 'class action suit' against WeightWatchers, similar to US anti-tobacco company actions. 'We want to show that that organization knows a huge proportion of diets fail -- its profits depend upon that, and the recidivism rate is absolutely crucial to them.'
On the other hand, Shelley Bovey, founder of the UK's size acceptance movement, joined a slimming group and lost seven stone. Three years and seven stone later, she can run for a bus, wears size 18 clothes, and has written a book titled What Have You Got To Lose: The Great Weight Debate And How To Diet Successfully.
The Complexity of Weight Loss and Acceptance
Bovey's regime involved calorie-counting and measuring food to achieve a steady loss of less than a pound a week. She thinks Orbach's On Eating routine is unrealistic for people like her: 'Anyone who's had the kind of chaotic eating patterns that lead to being overweight will never be able to eat when hungry and stop when full. It's like being a recovered alcoholic. Orbach says eating is like other bodily needs such as sneezing but it's more like sex -- most people eat for other reasons than hunger.'
By dieting successfully, Bovey had challenged one of the size acceptance movement's most important tenets -- that diets don't work, and that overweight people are therefore not to blame for their size. This is a crucial point, since the 'all their own fault' jibe is used by playground bullies and media commentators alike to justify taunts that would be deemed outrageous if they were used against gay or black people. And yet Bovey still does not believe people are fat through choice.
Ultimately, the issue of body weight and self-acceptance is a deeply personal and emotionally complex one. It requires a fuller understanding of the emotional issues that lead to overeating, as well as a shift in societal attitudes towards accepting different body sizes. Perhaps it is time we fostered a climate of compassion and support instead of further stigmatizing and shaming individuals based on their weight.
Conclusion
If we are to address the obesity crisis, we must prioritize mental and emotional well-being along with physical health. We need to encourage open discussions about body image, promote healthy eating habits, and provide resources for those struggling with weight issues. It is important to recognize that there is no one-size-fits-all solution and that each individual's journey towards a healthy body and mind will be unique.
Hotels and the Hospitality Industry
Now that we have explored the complex relationship between body image and weight, let's shift our focus to the topic of hotels and the hospitality industry.
Hotels play a crucial role in providing accommodation and services to travelers, whether for business or leisure purposes. They strive to create a comfortable and enjoyable experience for their guests, offering amenities such as comfortable beds, clean rooms, and quality customer service.
In recent years, the industry has also recognized the importance of catering to guests with diverse needs and preferences, including those with specific dietary requirements or health concerns. Many hotels now offer options such as vegetarian or vegan menus, gluten-free meals, and fitness facilities to cater to the growing demand for healthier choices.
Furthermore, some hotels have taken a proactive approach to promoting wellness and mindfulness by offering yoga classes, spa services, and gyms within their premises. They understand that a well-rounded travel experience includes taking care of not only physical needs but also mental and emotional well-being.
As the world becomes more conscious of the impact of travel on the environment, hotels are also making efforts to adopt sustainable practices. From reducing energy consumption to implementing recycling programs, the hospitality industry recognizes its role in promoting eco-friendly tourism.
Overall, the hotel industry is constantly evolving to meet the changing needs and expectations of travelers. Whether it is through technological advancements, personalized experiences, or a focus on sustainability, hotels are striving to create a positive and memorable stay for their guests.