Kate Hudson recently slapped a lawsuit on several publications for suggesting that she had an eating disorder. Magazines continue to obsess over stars and that includes what they weigh, whether they are gaining or losing.
“The National Enquirer” has a story on their website about how Kelly Ripa of “Live with Regis and Kelly” has lost so much weight that she is below 100 pounds. The article claims that Ripa has lost control of her weight and that her relationship with Philbin is turning sour.
Kirstie Alley was put under a microscope when she gained weight. She then chose to publicize her weight loss with an advertising deal with “Jenny Craig” including a show called “Fat Actress” and an online weight loss journal. “People” magazine did a story on her appearance on “Oprah” with the opening line, “Kirsie Alley was at her largest at 219 lbs.”
“The National Enquirer” boasted, in 2004, “a special 5-page section that tells why so many stars are putting their lives at risk with eating disorders.” The section contained “shocking photos of popular actresses who are over-eaters or starving stars.”
Mary-Kate Olsen was frequently pictured in tabloids and magazines when she announced that she was receiving treatment for anorexia. “inTouch” weekly did a story on her in a November issue claiming that she is “ready to talk” about her illness.
In an article for the November issue of “Elle,” contributor Daphne Merkin said, “my daughter and her friends are of the firm belief that the anorexic twin looks better than her slightly more well-padded sister,” of the Olsen twins.
Whitney Strasser, a sophomore elementary education major, is no stranger to the results of societal pressure to shed pounds. She went to high school with three anorexic women. She said that she encountered the disease more in high school than she does at Cabrini. What Strasser learned from seeing other women suffer is that there is no perfect weight. The Hollywood body that Strasser said was her favorite was Julia Stiles because she looks healthy.
One of the women Strasser knows has recovered but continues to take medication for depression. A pamphlet put out by The Renfrew Center Foundation, available outside of the nurse’s office, said that 82 percent of patients admitted for eating disorders had an associated diagnosis of depression.
Strasser also said, “Women think that men want women that are in Hooters and Playboy.”
An anonymous graphic design freshman male admitted that men pay more attention to skinny women and thought the ideal Hollywood body as Jessica Alba.
Mike Lynch, a marketing sophomore, addressed the issue of a double standard and said, “Men can gain more weight. Women are viewed more critically.” He also thought that as women get older, they tend not to care if a man gains or loses pounds. Mike did think that men are under pressure to be cut and work out.
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Posted to the web by Brandon Edwards
