Page 18 - Winter2014

Letters

it’s because protein depletes vitamin five feet four inches, and her waist is a visit the following link: http://www.
A, which can lead to thyroid problems, dainty eighteen inches compared to the stepstorecovery.com/starving-yourself-
hence a tendency to gain weight. average waist circumference of thirty- to-achieve-the-impossible-figure-of-
Of course, adequate protein is nec- eight inches today. However, young girls barbie/.
essary during pregnancy, but expectant aren't aware of this fact and believe that Anne Kline
mothers need to be careful not to overdo Barbie is what real women are meant to Santa Rosa, California
by consuming protein powders, lean look like, which can trigger unhealthy
meat, egg whites without the yolks, etc. behaviors to achieve weight loss. TRANS FAT LABELING
Betsy Granger While fashion models and actresses Back in 2011 I contacted you con-
Tulsa, Oklahoma have been able to achieve slender fig- cerning the proposed nutrition labeling
ures, they are little better than Barbie, of trans fat in restaurant food. This was
UNREALISTIC as they are not an accurate representa- in regard to proposed FDA regulations
FASHION FIGURES tion of the bodies most of us have. Even for nutrition labeling of standardized
Are unrealistic fashion figures supposedly realistic models wear clothes menu items at chain restaurants.
driving eating disorders in young girls? in size four rather than the size fourteen Mainly at my request, WAPF sub-
Although eating disorders affect 0.1 typical of many American women, and mitted a recommendation to the FDA
percent of children aged 8 to 11 years, there is nothing natural about a body that the trans fat labeling not include
their prevalence is growing among pre- weight 15 percent below expected that the trans fat that is naturally occurring
teens. For children so young, it makes most models show off. Airbrushing in food, primarily in dairy and beef.
you ask why they would contemplate slims models down even more, but I wish you to know that the final
extreme diets and excessive exercise. can also remove areas such as protrud- rule for this labeling was released re-
The media contribute to their desire to ing ribs to hide the fact that many are cently. Unfortunately it does not exempt
be slim owing to the images they present undernourished. Despite some models the trans fat naturally occurring in
them with. However, even if pre-teens speaking out about over-modification of food.
never get the chance to see extremely their body, teens are still trying to attain In summary, the FDA decided it is
thin women in magazines or on TV, the same figures they see in magazines, better to use the same basis for assess-
there is another potential influence lurk- which even with extreme dieting might ing trans fat content in restaurant food
ing in their playroom: Barbie. Although be impossible. The fact that so many as for packaged food. This assessment
she may seem like a harmless fashion TV characters are slimmer than average is based on the chemical structure and
toy, beneath her outfits is an unrealistic adds to the problem, particularly when not on the source.
figure. you consider the negative way in which I was very pleased when WAPF
In a report by Steps to Recovery, larger characters are often treated on submitted its recommendation to the
the authors discuss just how different screen. FDA, and am sorry that the agency was
Barbie's measurements are from the Only by highlighting how different not persuaded to change its stance on
average woman in the U.S. today. Al- the body of Barbie and those shown by this matter.
though on average we weigh more than the media are from women today can Richard Perlmutter
we did in the 1960s when Barbie first we help young girls to feel better about Elizabeth, New Jersey
came on sale, even back then her figure their appearance, with good self-esteem,
was worlds apart from what would be which is known to protect against eating ARE BLENDERS BAD?
considered “normal” measurements. disorders. By preventing their onset, it I have read that blenders (and food
To demonstrate this with just two of is potentially possible to protect young- processors) may be bad for our food. The
Barbie's vital statistics, she comes in sters from substance abuse, as the two trauma they cause to the food may alter
at five feet nine inches for height while disorders are highly connected. the nutrient value. Do you know whether
the average woman today is just short of To read more about this topic there are any studies on this? It may be
14 Wise Traditions WINTER 2014 Wise Traditions

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