Good morning world and thanks for tuning in to another day here on Planet Magnet.
It’s the weekend!
Yay!!
And there was no build up because I didn’t post yesterday. Very strange for me not to post and even stranger for me not to tell you guys that is what I was planning to do.
So first of all, first things first (well they couldn’t be last….)
Apologies for no post and no notification of such. Unfortunately it was out of my hands and there was no internet connection. I know the last time this happened I used my phone as a hot spot but unfortunately the charges were ridiculous so I decided against it. Fortunately however, I had already written the last three posts and scheduled them to fly throughout the week so they were all sat there only needing simple editing which could be done on the iPhone prior to posting…. You know what, I’m not even sure that this last paragraph has made sense!
Anyway, who cares, I know what I was talking about and that is all that matters!
So, to business. Today I was wondering what to write when a friend messaged me about a story in one of the country’s daily newspapers. Now personally I don’t read newspapers so would have missed this but this person very thoughtfully sent it over to me after thinking it should be shared.
I agree.
And to that end, here is the article from The Daily Mail. It not only talks about men’s clothing sizes going up but it finally answered why we think the world is getting smaller.
It isn’t.
We are simply getting bigger.
Rosie Taylor and Ben Spencer wrote the following and I am sure you will agree, it is quite a sobering thought…..
“British men’s bulging waistlines have expanded so much that high street chains are having to sell ever bigger plus-size ranges.
Debenhams has launched a 5XL line in response to growing demand from customers for larger clothing.
Its expanded Big and Tall range for men now fits a size 62 to 64 inch chest and a 20 inch collar.
One in nine menswear items bought at the high street chain are now in sizes larger than XXL, which fits a 50–52 inch chest and an 18 inch collar.
While the retailer already sells a small selection of 5XL and 6XL tracksuit bottoms and t-shirts, its new range will expand its extra large men’s clothing to include suits, shirts, jackets and trousers.
Industry researcher Mintel said the UK market for plus-sized menswear was growing at three times the rate of sales of men’s clothing overall, and was 50 per cent more than the growth in women’s plus-size clothing.
Retail analyst Conlumino added that the UK spent £2.1billion on XL garments last year, a rise of £200million from four years ago.
It predicts this will increase by another £200million in the next two years. Tam Fry, of the National Obesity Forum, warned clothes could soon get even bigger.
He added: ‘It is atrocious as it is because people are getting fatter. Children are becoming overweight at a very young age and they keep on getting bigger.
‘These people will be sure candidates for size 5XL or 6XL – and maybe even more.’
But Paul Baldwin, of Debenhams, said: ‘We want to ensure that we offer our customers fashionable, well-fitting clothing at accessible prices, whatever their shape and size.’
When I was morbidly obese I had to buy my clothes online and was so happy when I found something that fitted and looked reasonably fashionable. Therefore I honestly feel this is a good service to offer because lets face it, just because someone is obese, it doesn’t always (if ever) mean they have given up on the way they look so why should they be forced to wear jogging pants and sweat tops as fashion clothing, when their equally slim counterparts are not.
But it is kind of a double edged sword isn’t it? On one hand the person who shops here now has a greater selection of fashion clothing but on the other it removes yet another incentive of losing weight so they can “slim back into that suit” rather than buy a bigger one.
Breaks my heart that so many are getting bigger.
LikeLiked by 3 people
It is the world we are living in. It makes me wonder if obesity is the new smoking. The government allow people to smoke as they please because the revenue they make far outweighs any costs. Is it possible the revenue they make from junk food is equally as profitable?
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s a very worrying thought. I’m pleased to say I weigh 7 kilos less than I did in 2008, and I was only just a bit overweight then.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Excellent. Maintaining a sensible weight is what a healthy life is all about.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is the epidemic of our generation. We are rightly worrying now about Zeka Virus, in the past we get het up about avian flu, HIV and many many other dreadful diseases but this creeping virus is the worst – fed by greed and not of the individual but of the manufacturers, the media and advertising. We have to stop it, reverse it and try try try to educate the young BEFORE they fall into the trap that you and so many others fell into. In the words of my French friend Philippe (one of many Philippes in my life) ‘it ‘urts my ‘eart’ This hurts mine.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Absolutely. I said to Peggy that I believe it is the new smoking and will be for many years because the the profits from the taxes on junk for are so lucrative they are quids in as long as the world is getting fatter.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very good analogy my sage friend 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂 Thank You 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It amazes me what is taking place – so very sad. Some how this epidemic needs to be stopped – I am unsure how. Thanks Cameron!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It can only be done when people wake up and understand that these lifestyles are bad for them, until such times the manufacturers will sell and the governments will tax and the general public will lose…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree, I wonder how long that will take?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Whilst everyone is making money and the little getting is getting the rough end of the stick……. You can bet it will be a good while yet…..
LikeLiked by 1 person
It really is a sad situation Cameron, so happy you are doing this walk!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Incredible to think that the world needs it eh?!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a really tough and touchy situation. With so many jumping on the Body Positive band wagon, I feel many might be getting the wrong impression of what that really means. To me, BP is realizing that you are more than your body and that you have more to offer than just a size. Just because someone is larger does not mean they’re less of a person who is more fit. With that being said, with so many people spreading the message that we are all, “fine the way we are” and more clothing lines accommodating for morbidly obese bodies, I fear many will just continue to get more and more unhealthy. Sad.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A very touch call. People must be happy BUT healthy. Where one stops and the other starts without interfering is a tough call.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s a good point. Where the disconnect between happy and healthy is is where it falls apart.
LikeLike
Wow. Very concerning.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Isn’t it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am conflicted about this too. Why shouldn’t obese people have fashionable clothes but, in my experience, this just helped my delusion about how fat I was. The more we see obesity as normal, the less likely we are to be highly motivated to lose the weight. Curiously, I live in a thin community which is at odds with the rest of Houston. Every time I see a runner with a cute little outfit, it makes me more determined to keep slim.
LikeLiked by 1 person
There is obviously no reason why fat people should not be fashionable. But it is such an emotive subject that it is difficult to know how to put it. I believe happy and healthy is the only way so if you carry a few extra pounds its okay as long as you are healthy and if you carry these pounds then there is no reason why you should not be fashionable….
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s so complicated. There are studies that show if society thinks it’s okay to be overweight, we just go with the flow. Didn’t Tonga have to change it’s societal views for people to get healthy?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wouldn’t be surprised if that is the case, there appears to be a huge obesity problem amongst the Polynesian races.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s interesting Cameron, we are very good at identifying that people in this world are becoming larger and unhealthier. We are pretty good at answering the question, “WHY?” We are pretty good at coming up with ideas to change this picture. We are dreadful at implementing solutions. Is the financial cost to big business too much to compete with to improve the health of the world we live in?
LikeLike