Superdrug has dropped it’s controversial ‘celebrity weight scales’ after the product was criticised by a leading UK eating disorder charity. But what did you think of it? Is it healthier to compare yourself to a celebrity or a number? These were novelty scales and surely they were just a bit of fun?
The scales compared a user’s weight to that of a celebrity such as Cheryl Cole, the Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton and Beyoncé.
The scales included Cheryl Cole (8st), Kate Middleton (8st 6lb), Jessica Ennis (9st), Ellie Goulding (9st lb), Beyonce (9st 2lb), Rihanna (9st 2lb), Adele (14st), Queen Latifah (16st) and Melissa McCarthy (18st). I am not sure whether or not these weights are accurate but some of them do seem quite low. Especially as the average weight of a women in the UK is 11 stone.
The truth is, weight will always be a sensitive issue and young girls are impressionable. What is to stop them dieting to achieve the weight of their idol? Different people have different natural weights. We should just focus on being healthy, but peer pressure will always be there. For some the scales are just fun and novelty, but like most things in life, they can have a negative impact if used incorrectly.
Lorna Driver-Davies, nutritionist at the NutriCentre commented:
“I am very concerned with the concept of celebrity weighing scales. As a nutritionist I have no objection to women weighing themselves in kg- this is commonplace on normal scales and many women chose the metric method of weight, for example in France and Germany.”
“Comparing your weight to anyone- your friends, sister or colleagues would be a very unhealthy way to judge your own weight, so a comparison to celebrities is even worse.”
“These scales do not even take into account body fat percentage, height, BMI, waist and hip measurements and common sense on what is a healthy weight for an individual. Not only is this concept deeply unscientific but also I believe it would encourage even more insecurity and anxiety about weight which is a sad situation.”
“These scales also set a very poor example to teenage girls who are often more susceptible to eating disorders and are easily impressed by celebrity status.”
What do you think? Should they have been pulled?