We were lucky enough to go to Hawaii earlier in the year and had a really great holiday.
As a result of good food, drink and lots of sunshine we came home feeling fit and healthy and with energy reserves fully replenished. We did notice how overweight many of our fellow holiday-makers and residents of the island were, but didn't consider it to be significantly different to the same general impression you'd get by walking through Cambridge's Lion Yard on any day of the week.
However, it appears that a Hawaii-based self-published author - Paul Kramer - thinks this problem is worthy of a book - "Maggie goes on a diet" - which is aimed at 6-12 year olds with the intention of dealing with this 'issue' early on. 'Maggie' spends her time looking in the mirror and stressing over her body shape because it isn't how others have decided it's supposed to look.
I'm all for looking at diet and exercise and healthier options for people but surely there is a missing link here. Having worked with advertising clients for many years where agencies are constantly berated for the effects of their advertising on obesity (in fact the accusation is exaggerated and not supported by independent studies) aren't publications such as this, coupled with peer pressure and celebrity images in the media far more potent triggers on children's uncomplicated or at least less sophisticated minds?
Anorexia is a disease of the mind. A terrible, irrational disconnection with reality. Isn't there a danger that the backlash against obesity might just be a perfect breeding ground for mental illness, especially if children as young as six are reading books like these with the same lack of parental guidance that often helps obesity to be accepted as normal too?
