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Share Your Thoughts on This Week’s Cover Story

09/29/2006 at 07:00 AM ET

This week’s cover story of PEOPLE magazine deals with a hot-button topic that is on the mind of many women — the increasing pressure to be thin. From sub-zero sized starlets to teenagers struggling with eating disorders to women constantly on diets, many people are feeling a push to be as small as possible. PEOPLE’s story takes a look at how the fashion and entertainment industries are reacting, whether it is startling thin Nicole Richie denying an eating disorder to Portia de Rossi recounting how she ultimately won her battle with anorexia. We spoke to models, designers, doctors and actresses about this important issue. Now, it’s your turn to tell us your thoughts. Click here to read the story in full, then come back and tell us what you think. Is the celeb obsession with weight loss out of control? Who do you feel is responsible for the heightened pressure to be super thin?

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KR on September 29th, 2006

All I can say is I have a 3 year old beautiful (as every monther thinks) daughter and one of my biggest fears is having her growing up in a society idolizing and pressuring women to be skeletons. I will try my hardest to keep her from this and I hope society will change as she grows into her teens. I myself a 5’10 and a size 8 and of course there are times I would like to fit into that extra tight dress, but let’s be reasonable. Hollywood and the fashion industry should be ashamed of themselves.

Cheri on September 29th, 2006

These women are beautiful women. They are skinny mainly because they are in the public eye. No way can you tell me that if Janet Jackson wasn’t famous would she have been able to shed 60 lbs. in a couple of months. Society makes us the way we are. Thin is beautiful! We will always strive to be thin, not because it’s healthy; but because it’s attractive. (Side note:) Does anyone agree that Kate Bosworth looks like a bobblehead? Her body is small and her head is so large. It’s so unproportionate.

Lisa on September 29th, 2006

These girls look like skinny boys.. Sick…

Cass D. on September 29th, 2006

It is easy with our butts in our chairs, wasting our time on websites to judge how people are dealing with their stress. But remember, everyone deals with it some how, not eating, over eating, drinking, anxiety attacks- Some things are visible, some are not. It would take a very strong person to be under the lense at all times and not struggle for control. Don’t we all need to become kinder to ourselves in some manner? Let’s be kind to these women who are obviously cracking while we are at it. Love yourself first, then you might just find yourself not mulling over superstars issue of the year.

NICK on September 29th, 2006

ITS SAD TO SAY THAT THIS HAPPENS ,BUT I THINK OVERALL THERE IS PRESSURE IN A WOMENS APPEARANCE IN EVERY SIZE ,JUST LIKE THERE ARE WOMEN THAT ARE GOING UNDER THE KNIFE TO GET PLASTIC SURGERY TO INHANCE THERE BUST LINE OR HAVE A HEAVIER CHEST ,WHAT IS GOING ON HEAR IS THAT BECAUSE THERE ARE BEAUTIFUL WOMEN IN ALL SHAPES AND SIZES AND THE TYPICAL STARIOTYIPCAL MALE WHAT HE SHOULD LOOK LIKE IS BUILD ,THEY DO NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM,BECAUSE MEN SEE SO MANY SHAPES AND SIZES OF WOMEN, ONE DAY THEY WANT A WOMEN WITH LEGS OR A NECKLINE ,THEN THEY WANT A WOMEN THAT IS MORE BUSTIER OR THICKER WITH LOTS OF HIPS AND A DARRIER.THEN THEY LOOK AT THE FACE AND THEY SEE BEAUTIFUL FACES WITH THIN WOMEN AND THICKER WOMEN AND THEY WANT IT ALL BUT THEY DONT KNOW WITCH ONE TO DESIDE BECAUSE THERE ALL BEAUTIFUL.

Alayna on September 29th, 2006

I think stars like Jennifer Aniston, Beyonce, and Eva Mendes are beautiful. They are healthy and look like REAL women. When you look at this little girls who think you have to be so tiny to fit in it makes you wonder what is going on in their heads. They aren’t even considered beautiful. Really if you women would stop and think of who you really would like to be like I don’t think these girls come to your mind at all. It is the REAL WOMEN that rock women like J.Lo, Halle Berry, Reese Witherspoon!!

Amanda on September 29th, 2006

First, congratulations to all that have lost weight, work out and feel good about yourself. Feeling good is what it is all about.
Second, for those dealing with a disorder or one in the family, my heart goes out to you and I hope everyone will make a speedy recovery.

It is clear that many of these stars have an eating disorder. There is no way around it. People can blame stress or say whatever they want. However, when your bones are protruding out of skin on your chest, hands, legs, hips, face…there is no denying it. Perhaps that is the issue these stars are facing, denial.
Family members need to intervene, get involved and get professional help TODAY!

ANNA WINTOUR, editor of Vogue magazine has flat out fired people in her office for being ‘fat’. I don’t mean 100 or 200 pounds over weight, I mean 10 pounds. She calls ‘fat’ people disgusting and repulsive. Last year, Andre Leon Talley made an appearance on Oprah telling millions of viewers that Anna doesn’t like fat people. Have you seen an issue of Vogue recently? Or taken a look at the girls on the runway of these high-end fashion runways? They are clearly promoting the anorexic look. THESE PEOPLE ARE RUNNING THE INDUSTRY! They put anorexic teenagers/women in the spotlight, glorify them and imply this is what women should look like. Our family, friends and the stars have begun to feel that this is the ‘norm’ and we should strive to look pin-thin. It makes me ill to think that this Anna Wintour has almost single-handedly brought the world to what it is today in terms of fashion and a woman’s size. If this pathetic woman had an ounce of self-respect, she’d produce an issue of the magazine addressing these troubling problems. Maybe go out and ask real people of the world what their thoughts are. Or how about including some women in her magazines that are healthy size 9, 10 or 12? Well, I don’t expect it anytime soon as this insecure, poor excuse for human being has made it clear around the globe that the all mighty dollar is what matters to her. Sad, I know.

My advice to all…don’t buy into the crap and don’t buy the crap. Don’t pick up the latest issue of Vogue when it hits the stands. Instead, focus on what is really important, being healthy, staying active and feeling good about yourself.

Sincerely,
Concerned in Canada

Ginny on September 29th, 2006

I think that all these magazines have nothing better to do than write about Hollywood’s women. Personally, it wouldn’t surprise me that the magazines are altering the photos to make the girls look skinnier than they really are.

Sharon on September 29th, 2006

This is very sad! What these women are doing to their bodies is really unhealthy. They are jeopardizing their future. These women need professional help to get through whatever it is they are going through before it’s too late. What’s it going to take society to realize that this is not beautiful and not normal? One of them dying from their organs shutting down and not funcitioning properly anymore? I wish them all luck!

Beth on September 29th, 2006

I can’t believe how absolutely disgusting these super-thin celebrities look. These girls look like they would fall apart if you touched them. I am waiting for the day when people realize that curves are a NATURAL and beautiful part of a woman’s body, and that looking healthy is far more attractive than looking like a pile of bones.

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