Fat Is A Feminist Issue author Susie Orbach on the Western world's obesity crisis
Renowned author and psychotherapist Susie Orbach has identified two main reasons for the Western world's obesity crisis - a sense of guilt and the diet industry. In an exclusive interview with Scottish Sunday, Orbach reveals her plans to take legal action against Weight Watchers, similar to the lawsuits faced by the tobacco industry in America.
Exposing Diet Industry Profit Motives
Orbach believes that Weight Watchers and similar organizations profit from the fact that a large proportion of diets fail. According to her, the diet industry heavily relies on the recidivism rate (the relapse into previous habits) to sustain their profits. By highlighting this issue through legal action, Orbach aims to expose the industry's practices and encourage change.
The Growing Average Body Size
Orbach's lobbying organization, AnyBody, will soon receive the results of last year's Size UK survey, which is expected to demonstrate that the average body size has significantly increased over the past 25 years. She argues that these obesity statistics reflect the unconscious guilt Western society harbors due to its excessive consumption of the world's resources.
A Political Statement
Orbach suggests that compulsive eating and severe obesity are a manifestation of individuals denying their real needs due to the global divide between the north and the south. She believes that societies' engagement with globalism can be better assessed by looking at the prevalence of eating problems rather than merely economic indicators. Furthermore, she observes that cultures influenced by Western ideals often strive to adopt a Western body shape.
The Influence of the Food and Beauty Industries
Orbach argues that the food and beauty industries, working in tandem, play on women's insecurities. Successful industries built around altering bodies create a sense of inadequacy in people and perpetuate the notion that they can be fixed. According to Orbach, rebalancing these industries is essential to promote positive body image and self-acceptance.
Advertising and Marketing for Change
AnyBody plans to utilize advertising and marketing techniques, similar to those employed by major companies, to challenge the prevailing aesthetic norms. By collaborating with creative advertisers, the organization aims to construct ads that subtly broaden the perceived ideal body aesthetic.
The Impact of Distorted Eating Habits
Orbach argues that continuous dieting and our dysfunctional relationship with food contribute to the rise in obesity. She suggests that the constant pressure to deprive oneself or rebel against food disrupts the body's natural mechanisms for regulating eating behavior. Furthermore, she highlights the intergenerational impact, suggesting that girls are raised by mothers who have been influenced by societal pressures, leading to distorted eating habits being passed down to the younger generation.
Addressing Societal Influences
Orbach emphasizes the importance of early intervention and education. She believes that health visitors should be trained to recognize eating problems similar to how they are trained to identify post-natal depression. Schools should also focus on promoting emotional literacy, enabling children to express their emotions and handle distress in healthier ways than turning to food or other harmful coping mechanisms.
Hotels and Healthy Living
When it comes to promoting healthy living, hotels play a crucial role in creating environments that support guests' well-being. Providing nutritious meal options, promoting physical exercise facilities, and addressing the mental health aspect of food and body image are all areas where hotels can make a positive impact.
Healthy Menu Choices
Hotel restaurants can take inspiration from the principles outlined by Susie Orbach - offering guests a variety of nutritious, satisfying meals. By providing diverse options that cater to different dietary preferences, hotels can promote a healthier approach to eating and empower guests to make informed choices.
Wellness Facilities
Hotels can incorporate well-equipped fitness centers, swimming pools, yoga studios, or other dedicated spaces for physical activity. These facilities encourage guests to maintain their exercise routine and focus on their well-being during their stay, contributing to a healthier lifestyle.
Promoting Mental Health
Hotels can also offer programs or resources that address guests' mental health, promoting emotional well-being and supporting positive body image. By partnering with experts and offering workshops or activities focused on emotional resilience, stress management, and body acceptance, hotels can foster environments conducive to healthy living.