Is it just me who finds it odd that the press seems to be competing......................?

Question

to get different pictures of morbidly obese children smiling on their front pages? Yesterday it was a boy, today its a girl. I don't think that sensationalist 'freak show' journalism is going to solve the problem but I suppose it does sell papers.

Answer 1

Yes, it is as though these things aren't a problem until the media decides (in concert) that they are, and then reports them. The BBC, for example, seems to act as the reporting arm of the Government. Because the Government has decided that many of us are overweight, and has particular concerns about children, we seem to have an instant problem looking for an instant solution.

I am very cynical about government nannying though, because I think that the weight issue gives the Government another opening to bully us and control our lives. There have already been many other examples of state nannying, and they always seem to reveal, via their friends in the media, the worst cases, which gives them an apparently credible first foot in the door.

You don't have to be particularly fat to fail the BMI test. That is the problem, they start with the bad cases, which gets our support, and then go on to apply more and more strict criteria to assess whether we pass or fail. This leads to even more people not being accepted for treatment on the NHS.

Strictly speaking, the Government are there to provide the public with information. We did not elect them to tell us what weight we should be. Ironically, they have been busy in recent years discouraging competitive sport in schools. Not exactly joined up thinking.

Answer 2

Divinity !. Ofcourse good looks, great body or just dressing the right way does help. (i.e. from a purely physical perspective). But, I like to believe that man(human beings) are much more than just social animals. We often tend to forget that we all have a capacity to exist as spirit led beings. ( especially because of the over emphasis of fashion / good looks / materialism in the world ). Ultimately, physical attributes will and can only be physical or look aesthetic in a certain way. But, it's the "soul of the woman" which really matters. Imagine this, what use can a sexy figure or great looks or fancy clothes be if the woman does not have a equally good personality ?. It would merely help her to be a sex-symbol isn't it ?. ( or in other words, a bimbo !. ) // Sorry Ladies ! . . . // So, I guess it's a matter of choice or opinion. Imagine if the woman has a beautiful personality i.e. attitude / personality / a good soul . . . and on top of that, she has great looks, or a great body, or a good dressing sense. Now, that would really be something. Isn't it ?. Even if she doesn't have all of these physically appealing attributes, but still has a wonderful personality, a warm, kind, and a beautiful heart, she would be beautiful beyond words. What I feel, is that, it's the Divinity inside a person that makes the person beautiful !. But, I guess it's what "I" feel :) . . . Some people may think other wise ? . . . :) . . . Ex: I really like Norah Jones. I think she is my kind of a woman :) . . .

Answer 3

It undoubtedly serves a purpose in highlighting the dangers of obesity, but the bottom line is that fat kids are funny.

Funny sells.

That geordie(?) kid who they showed bouncing on the trampoline on the news? Hysterical.

The laws of gravity were apparently being bent.

Answer 4

It puts it in the eyes of the public. People should be aware of what can happen to children who eat the wrong foods.

Answer 5

I guess they are competing but they are also opening our eyes to the big problem out there that parents are trying to sweep under the carpet.

Answer 6

lets face it they will jump on any bandwagon depending how public opinion is and sensationalise it

Answer 7

got your attention though