Weight Loss Wanker of the Week

Found in the Teen Central section of the new Minneapolis Central Public Library downtown: Dr. Susan’s Girls-Only Weight Loss Guide - The Fun, Easy Way to look and feel good.

The first moment I saw this book, it set my teeth on edge. Exactly what we need! - another book to tell young women that fat is not OK. That feeling good is nice, for sure, but don’t forget that looking good is just as important. However, this book has levels of insidiousness that go beyond just the fat-hating title.

Looking for more information over at amazon.com, I found a review of the book that sings Dr. Susan’s praises for using an advisory group of teen girls to help with the book, and including many quizzes to gauge a girl’s self-esteem and promote healthy body image, and for helping young women learn about nutrition, exercise, eating disorders, and how to take control. (CONTROL! Because remember girls, being fat means being out of control. And we just can’t have that.) Another line that kept sticking in reviews was how Dr. Susan explains that diets don’t work - only permanent lifestyle changes will help a girl be healthy. Mixed messages, anyone?

At best, this book is a bad mix of valid information and fat-hating propaganda. Just check out these user comments:

“Dr. Bartell is a friend to overweight girls everywhere.” ?��Ǩ���Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)

Paula G: “As the mother of a 15 year old ninth grader, I was relieved that my daughter embraced Dr. Susan’s Weight Loss Guide. Of course, I would like to say that my daughter devoured this book, and then stopped devouring everything in sight. It hasn’t been quite that easy….”

Susan L: “Read this book and stop eating your feelings. Buy this book and you and your daughter will be fully satisfied!”

Filed under Fat(Riot)Grrl |