Arrgghhhhh!!!!
Originally uploaded by LannyLee
Hey, I’ve not ranted for a while (I was wondering why I was feeling a bit weird!) a little thing popped up on my screen for a diet plan website & so sadist that I am I entered my details, out of interest it was: 9 stone (57 kilos/126lbs) and 5ft 4″ (1.62m) and it gave me a BMI of 22.
Now if you look at the picture above this lands me smack in the middle of the Ideal category, however they have recommended that I aim to reduce my BMI to 20, which according to the diagram puts me right on the cusp of Ideal & Underweight & so why didn’t they just say “You’re a healthy weight, well done!” etc, but no they’re just thinking of the cash so they tried to tell me I needed to lose weight and sell me a diet plan for £2.99 per week (approx US$6)
Ummmm, no I don’t think so!
Now, I’m pretty level headed where my weight is concerned and so can see this for what it is, marketing, money grabbing bullshit, but what if I was suffering from body issues or was anorexic.
This is just irresponsible if not downright stupid!
So I’m going to be super British & write them, a strongly worded letter (or in my case an e-mail) I’ll post it here soon along with the reply, when & if I get one.
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Copy of the E-mail I sent:
Nicole,
I’m sorry to be directing this at you, however I cannot find a contact option on the diets page and so I’m hoping that as Editor you will be able to forward this on to the relevant person.
Earlier today I entered my details into the diet page section of the Life & Style pages, (I believe they are sponsored by Tesco Diets) I do not need to lose weight but I was hoping that they would be able to offer some healthy recipes that I could try. I entered my details (5ft 4”, 9 stones) and was given a BMI of 22, which according to the diagram shown put me right in the middle of the Ideal weight category, however they then went on to recommend that I subscribe to a particular diet plan at a cost of £2.99 per week in order to reduce my BMI to 20, which again according to the diagram puts me on the cusp of Ideal and Underweight.
Luckily, I have no issues with my weight or indeed my body image, however if I was a different person, a younger more impressionable person, this might lead me to believe I was overweight, which is frankly irresponsible, if not downright stupid on your part.
I understand that MSN do not control this, however you are allowing it to be run via your website and so I believe you are required to take responsibility for the content, regardless of the origin.
Please contact me via the following e-mail address to notify me of the action you intend to take on this matter: myrealname@hotmail.com
Kind Regards,
LannyLee
BMI is hopelessly outmoded and doesnt take into account a shitload of things that it should. The nurse at my docs surgery used a chart to tell me Im “borderline obese”. At 5′7″, 10 and a half stone and a size 10, I find that a bit hard to swallow (unlike all the pies I eat, of course, being a big fat bastard….apparently). I made the same point to her that I KNOW Im not overweight and it was irresponsible of her to suggest otherwise but she did a pitying look and said “well….it IS on the chart”. Do let us know if you get a reply. s x
Comment by stepfordtart — August 21, 2008 @ 5:48 pm |
You’re a healthy weight, well done!
And good for you for writing that letter, I hope they respond.
Comment by CLOUDY — August 22, 2008 @ 12:05 am |
*poke!*
Comment by strawberri — September 10, 2008 @ 9:49 pm |