6. WEIGHT, HEALTH AND FASHION - What affect does the fashion industry standard of very thin models have on women in the US? Is Obesity a disease as the medical profession claims? Is it a problem?

Weight, Health and Fashion- The weight issue to myself is a personal one that each person has to deal with in their own way. Everyone has their own opinion, but that does not mean it is right. My way of thinking is there are some people who like overweight and obese people, for love and partnership. I think society puts too much pressure on people for looking perfect, but no matter how much you try you will never look good enough for everyone, so you have to be true to yourself. JAMES W

I think the fashion industry is having a bad influence on this country. When you look at the ads in magazines or on TV all you see are ultra thin people. This gives people the impression that everyone should aspire to their size. The days of Marilyn Monroe are gone. This is bad for the young girls who emulate these models and actresses. I read an article about Kate Winslett in which she said she felt she was denied some roles because she was not thin enough. Although, she has what many consider to be a normal size figure. Obesity is also a big problem. In some people it may be a disease, in that no matter what they do it is nearly impossible for them to lose weight. Unfortunately, obesity has become a problem with our children because of the amount of fast food that they eat.
Renee R

Weight,Health and Fashion  -  I feel very strongly about the particular ways the media portrays women's weight and health issues. The media, mostly Hollywood, sends negative messages to young girls that the only way to look good and be accepted is to be skin and bones. Every time a celebrity is struggling with her weight, we see it on the news and on the front pages of magazines. Sometimes, the media praises the actress or singer for their massive weight loss and reports on how good they are looking now that they are so skinny. This is horrible! This sends messages to girls and women to go out and starve themselves. Young girls and women across the world should not be made to feel that they are ugly if they do not look like Nicole Richie, Paris Hilton or Mary Kate Olsen. The pressures of Hollywood and the media in general are too much to handle. Instead, they should be focusing on how to be healthy by eating right and exercising. Maybe if they spent more time reporting and making movies on this particular area, then there would not be an issue of obesity.

Jackie S

Have you seen some of those models? They look sick.

Jennifer R

COMMENTS FROM STUDENTS IN AUSTRIA

I believe that this is a very personal topic. Everybody should decide on his own how he wants to live his life. You can't force somebody to do sports if he doesn't want to. And you can't force someone to eat vegetables instead of burgers.

     But I also believe that the governments have a responsibility for the people in their countries. They should have a look in the society and on tendencies in this field. It's in their interest to have healthy people in the country, so they should also support them as well as possible. For example through a public health system that guarantees everybody the health care he needs.

     Weight, health and fashion is not a private topic anymore. Obesity is a disease. Anorexia, too. Family and friends should look after the people in their environment and feel responsible for them. Governments should try to influence opinions in a positive "healthy" way. We will see what happens in the future...