Normal-Sized Models and Health for Bigger Bodies

Normal-Sized Models and Health for Bigger Bodies ...article by Don Altman, MA, LPC @ Mindfulpractices Here's some positive news. The company behind Skippy Peanut Butter and Lipton Tea (Unilever) announced recently that it would no longer use "super slim" actors and models in its advertising. The company is advising its advertising agencies to use models who fall into the BMI range from 18.5 to 25. Having more normal sized models and actors selling products can only be beneficial for those who are vulnerable to the idea that thin is "in" and the only standard of beauty. There's more good news about not being thin that has been in the news lately from the Imperial College in London, England... Molecular imaging professor Dr. Jimmy Bell and his research team have done MRIs on over 800 people since 1994 in an effort to create "fat maps" of where fat is stored in the body. His research shows that those who maintain weight through diet as opposed to exercise have major deposits of fat surrounding internal organs-- even if they have an externally thin body. In response to the findings, Dr. Bell says, "the whole concept of being fat needs to be redefined." The good news here is that exercise and an improved diet helps to burn off internal fat that can surround and streak throughout vital organs. This is supportive of the health at any size movement, where long-term activity has been shown to be important to health and fitness. Here's where mindfulness can help. Being aware of how and when "convenience" reduces our activity can be one factor towards changing habits that make us sedentary. Parking the car further away from the store, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, and making time to spend 20 minutes walking after lunch can integrate activity and health into our busy lives.