Vogue will no longer use anorexic models - but will this change our perception of the female body?

This week 19 Vogue editors released a joint statement saying that they would ban the use of models who look like they could be anorexic, as well as models under the age of 16. But the question remains as to whether haute couture is the most arena with the most impact when it comes to idealising underweight women.

Refusing medical treatment can never be justified

The results of an online survey have shown that a staggering 54% of doctors agree with the principle of refusing medical treatment to smokers and obese people. The basis for the proposal is that the potential benefits of treating these patients are outweighed by the likelihood that the procedures will be ineffective due to their lifestyle.

Lack of sleep can cause us to gain weight

Most people would love to fall asleep for eight hours every night, but with hectic lifestyles and long working hours it can be difficult to make sure that you get the right amount of rest every day, even if you are aware of the negative consequences of sleep deprivation.

Study shows overweight baby girls are unlikely to become slender women

If a man wears an oversized jumper and baggy jeans he’ll look pretty stylish is a casual ‘I just fell out of bed and into any old thing’ kind of way. But if a girl tries to pull off the same look, the chances are she’ll either look like a tomboy or men will assume there’s something bad going on under the clothes which she’s trying to cover up.

Should we be concerned about anti-obesity education in schools?

There is no shortage of controversy surrounding obesity. Though it is a recognised fact that obesity rates have increased dramatically over the last several decades, it is still difficult to talk about how to tackle this problem without causing offence. When governments or health bodies attempt to intervene, proposing legislative changes that would see the introduction of a tax on fatty foods, for example, they are often accused of acting like a nanny state...

Is medication the answer to the obesity crisis?

Qnexa is the name of a new prescription medication that is designed to help treat obesity. It has received a large amount of press coverage since it was first developed, but it has not yet been approved by the FDA in the United States for use. The FDA has cited safety concerns as their reason for delaying approval, and further clinical trials are taking place. Among the media, the expectation appears to be that it is simply a matter of time before the...

Feeling the pressure? Men and the rise of cosmetic surgery

As 'male tummy tuck' procedures increase by 15%, there appears a greater need to view cosmetic surgery as a more common means of tackling our body demons. By examining the physical, as well as psychological, implications of trying to keep in good health, an understanding can be reached as to why we feel the pressure to look good.

How accurate is the BMI scale?

If you have ever had some form of a concern over your weight, you will likely have stumbled across the phrase “body mass index”, commonly abbreviated to BMI. It is a tool used by doctors and other health professionals to determine whether an individual is at a healthy weight or not, with categories ranging from severely underweight to obese class III. The BMI is so commonly used because it is very simple to calculate.