Comments on: Is ‘Skinny’ the New Ideal? A Closer Look at the Latest Buzz Word in Diet Books

By: 5 FOOD & NUTRITION WORDS I WANT TO SEE LESS&NBSP;|&NBSP;NURTURE PRINCIPLES

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 12:32:03 +0000

[...] Why is skinny the new ideal? I know the term is in the title of many popular diet books (I wrote about that recently), and Skinnygirl is Bethenny Frankel’s entire platform — which scored her an amazing deal with [...]

By: 5 FOOD & NUTRITION WORDS I WANT TO SEE LESS | NUTRITION UNPLUGGED

5 FOOD & NUTRITION WORDS I WANT TO SEE LESS | NUTRITION UNPLUGGED — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 01:26:10 +0000

By: WEEKLY “BRAVO!” BODY IMAGE ROUNDUP &LAQUO; HOLLYWOOD WEIGHT WATCH

WEEKLY “BRAVO!” BODY IMAGE ROUNDUP &LAQUO; HOLLYWOOD WEIGHT WATCH — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 20:41:56 +0000

[...] From Mellissa Laycy, 5′11″, 168 pounds, size 16 (normal BMI): “For the first time in my life, I love my body. Modelling could have destroyed me, but instead I’m doing it on my own terms. I still go to the gym and look after myself, but now I celebrate my body. It makes me sad when I see models who are so skinny. I know what sacrifices some of them have to make to stay slim.” I Will Not Diet.: “How Much Do You Weigh?” I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again—I truly believe that one of the problems with the way women perceive themselves in this country is the fact that we have the false sense that everyone else weighs less than we do. Nutrition Unplugged: “Is ‘Skinny’ the New Ideal? A Closer Look at the Latest Buzz Word in Diet Books… [...]

By: LAUREN SLAYTON

LAUREN SLAYTON — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 22:53:56 +0000

Oh I think I have to go against the grain with this one. Sure, skinny is unrealistic and not for everyone but I think there’s also a bit of inspiration there. I may never look like the trainers or fitness professions I go to but I do find that their example makes me work out harder or simply want to eat my best. What I like about skinny is that it does not beat around the bush. People who purchase these books are trying, not just to eat in a balanced manner, but also to lose weight. I like Joy’s use of your skinny….which may be different from my skinny etc. I don’t find this troublesome. Now, on national TV the editor of Entertainment Weekly telling Sandra Bullock her look “was worth starving for” that crosses the line.

By: LEIGH ANN OTTE

LEIGH ANN OTTE — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 21:22:40 +0000

Awesome post. I love the quotes in here–so down-to-earth. I’m going to pick one to highlight on my blog later this week. I’m not sure how I’ll pick though. Thanks for this important article.d

By: REBECCA

REBECCA — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 02:19:08 +0000

Janet,
I’m glad you posted this and what you said all resonates with me. I think the use of the term skinny is ‘edgy’ and ’seductive’ and sort of depicts being in a certain elite class of women that only a certain few can become. I agree with you that if skinny were a state of mind, there would be associations with flaunting your physical hotness and sassiness associate with it, the attributes would be completely irrelevant to anything physical, which is not the case.
There is something we buy into about purchasing a book, a pair of jeans or a latte that let’s us feel like we are getting a little bit of skinny in every bite, wear, or read. It’s great marketing but toxic to the mind. Note that we never talk about skinny men, skinny kids, or skinny bank accounts in the same way – we want all of those things to be robust, strong, healthy, abundant….

In a country where being within normal weight (accourding to BMI) is a MINORITY situation (2/3 are overweight or obese), I think some people capitalize on that concept to play to the part of all those who struggle with their weight to feel a little bit ’skinny’. Maybe instead of skinny, the feeling state they are really looking for is: happy, free, confident, peaceful, which we assume skinny people are (not always true, but ANY means!).
Anyway, thanks for putting light on the topic. I appreciate it,
Rebecca
PS: I retweeted this one for sure becuase it’s GOOD!

By: TIFFANY S.

TIFFANY S. — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 19:58:57 +0000

I hate that word. My body could never be skinny but that’s not why I hate it. It just sounds unhealthy to me. I do believe it’s a dangerous word to throw around and that everything Hudnall said is dead on. I think we have Hollywood, again, to blame for this one, plus the media and folks who want to sell books. I would much rather be “strong” than skinny.

By: JESSICA (A FETE FOR FOOD)

JESSICA (A FETE FOR FOOD) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 17:37:05 +0000

I was thinking about this earlier in the week when I ordered a tall nonfat latte and got back from the barista, “so you want a skinny vanilla latte?” It’s interesting that we synonymously use the words “tall” and “skinny” to describe bodies… and coffee drinks. Thanks for your insight on this topic.

By: SETH WALTON

SETH WALTON — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 16:24:39 +0000

They’re all bad…the people touting the serious diet books have good intentions, but are still filled with misinformation here and there. I admire that Monique’s book sends a message that you don’t have to hate yourself for being fat….but does she have to swear every other sentence to get her point across?

By: KATIE @ HEALTH FOR THE WHOLE SELF

KATIE @ HEALTH FOR THE WHOLE SELF — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 16:20:19 +0000

Great post! I have also noticed the increased use of the word “skinny” as a marketing tool, and I find it a bit disturbing. As someone who has struggled with disordered eating in the past, I know what it feels like to see being “skinny” as the ultimate goal, even when it’s not really attainable for lots of people.

The biggest issue for me is that it takes the focus away from all-around HEALTH and puts the focus on APPEARANCE. I’m sure a lot of those books offer sound advice, but I don’t like where the motivation is coming from. Ultimately, the use of the word “skinny” implies that the ultimate reason to eat healthy and exercise is to reach a certain external ideal…and that’s really not a very good reason.