University professor critical of fat stars

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-06-30 15:20

University professor Michael McMahon has criticised fat celebrities for being bad role models.

McMahon claimed that the "increasing profile" of larger stars on TV screens and magazine front pages could be just as damaging as images of them appearing underweight and skinny.

"The increasing profile of larger celebrities, for example James Corden, Eamonn Holmes, Ruth Jones and Beth Ditto, means that being overweight is now perceived as being 'normal' in the eyes of the public," he told the BBC.

"We talk about the dangers of skinny media images, but the problem actually swings both ways. If people continue to turn a blind eye to their weight problems, they will see their life expectancy considerably shortened."

McMahon's remarks followed a new survey by Nuffield Health, which found that many obese people are still unconcerned and apathetic about their weight.

Ex-Hollyoaks actress Mikyla Dodd (Chloe Bruce), who used to weigh 25 stone, disagreed with McMahon's findings, arguing that the increase of larger TV stars was "quite refreshing".

"It shows that fat people can be successful, build self-esteem and then people eventually get the motivation to do something about it," she said.