Quality inversely related to width?

Sean Brierley provides some interesting theories on the nation’s obsession with obesity and dieting (MW January 23). I have to say that I am of a different opinion, although I wonder whether it could be a gender thing.

I do agree that there is an unprecedented choice of food available to us and an abundance of very appealing ready meals fills the shelves of our supermarkets, but I don’t think it is greed that is leading us to over-eat.

I believe that we have an underlying need to want to look as good as the glamorous stars the media push before us. The pressure to be physically attractive presents us with a continual battle between enjoying ourselves and staying slim. It is the constant focus by the media on what is perceived to be “good-looking” that fosters adults’ (and increasingly children’s) obsession with food. Some might say that is a good thing: it keeps us on our toes and makes us more aware of what we are eating, forcing us to become healthier. There is no doubt that in marketing, thin, fit and good-looking sells. The majority of products, brands and services don’t want to be associated with anything other than slim and sexy because this is what people buy.

We all need to relax and focus more on healthy eating and healthy living, take the emphasis off being slim and ban the word “diet”.

Jo Heasman

PR manager

Dialogue Marketing Group

Henley-on-Thames

Oxfordshire