UK Politician Campaigns Magazines To Not Promote Fad Diets In 2013

Equalities minister Jo Swinson is urging women’s magazines to do something drastically different this January.

She’s asking them to stop promoting unhealthy crash diets in their coming issues–a common editorial trend that characterizes the publishing industry after the indulgent holidays.

Glossy lies?

Swinson claims that magazines like OK! and Closer too often feature stick-thin celebrities who have lost weight with one of the latest diet fads, which usually aren’t healthy solutions for long-term weight loss. In an open letter to editors, Swinson explains:

“This time of year in particular, far too much magazine coverage tends to focus on irresponsible, short-term solutions and encourages readers to jump on fad diet bandwagons. As editors you owe more to your readers than the reckless promotion of unhealthy solutions to losing weight.”

No fast fix, Swinson says

The idea of a “miracle cure” type of diet, Swinson claims, is a ludicrous one, and she notes how extreme weight loss without healthy guidance can, in fact, be more dangerous than people realize.

“If your aim is to give practical, sensible advice about losing weight – and not how to drop a stone in five days – you should encourage reasonable expectations, instead of dangerous ones, along with exercise and healthy eating.”

As co-founder of the Campaign for Body Confidence, Swinson hopes to banish the pressure to fit particular stereotypes, raise awareness about eating disorders and promote well-being in terms of body image.

“Given that most diets fail within a very short time, it is irresponsible for magazines to offer ‘tips,’ ‘tricks’ and ‘simple steps’ on becoming thin. Not healthy or vibrant, just thin,” Swinson concludes.

Source: Metro UK