From the Editors of Common Sense Media

March 22, 2007

Nicole Richie and Paris Hilton are going to be counseling overweight campers on the fifth season of The Simple Life. According to an Us.com spokesperson: "The camp has five different themes. And yes, one week is a weight loss/fitness camp. It's not a fat camp."

When are the media going to take weight issues seriously? Here are two young women with body image issues (Hilton has admitted to bulimia, and Richie has had a public struggle with her weight) matched up with a group of children struggling with being overweight. And while neither extreme is healthy, there's no question whose issues will appear more glamorous. Our society worships the super skinny. But what about kids who are either overweight or obese? They're the object of scorn and ridicule -- not sympathy. One third of children in this country are either obese or at risk for becoming so. And what they watch plays a real role in their condition. Take a look at this quick video for more on childhood obesity. Also watch our practical tips to help offset the media's pressures to be thin.

For the original article, please visit:  http://www.commonsensemedia.org/parent_tips/commonsense_view/index.php?id=214 .