Press Review of the week

September 5th 2011

 

Huda Naccache (Photo: Lilac Magazine)Lilac’s cover, the Israeli Arab women’s fashion magazine, is breaking conservative taboos this week with a sexy model in a bikini. It is the first time that a 22-year-old women, Huda Naccache, is posing with a two-piece suit said Matthew Bell. We have already noticed in a previous post that Arab media are still very prudish about sex.

This controversial thin icon in revealing clothing increases the distortion between media representation of women body and the traditional taboos which weigh heavily in private life. Rapid changes in Arab society have led to a two-tiered body representation: one widely visible and traditional, the other, based on media, more often hidden and markedly virtual. Most women are seeking out “slimming medications”, usually including appetite suppressors, fat burners or fat absorption inhibitors, sometimes dangerous pharmaceuticals, moreover when used in self-medication without the monitoring of a professional.

Also in the news this week, a new study on nutrition and obesity in United Arab Emirates published on 20th July 2011 bears out the very problem of nutrition in Arab world especially among women adolescents.

In 2009/10, 65% of adult women, 28% of male adolescents and 40% of female adolescents, 25% of male children and 41% of female children were overweight or obese. 43% of girls and 38%of boys (6–10 years) consumed more calories than their estimated energy requirements. Snacking represents a major source of Emirati caloric intake (>20%) of total calories. In addition, caloric beverages account for 8–14% of total calories. Meanwhile, physical activity levels are low, especially among females Emiratis and those living in urban areas.

It's a burkini from burqa fashionista - Peter de Wit

The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) initiates a nutritional guideline for school menus to catering companies and canteen operators. “The move is part of an overhaul of the school health policy aimed at reducing the incidence of childhood obesity and diabetes in children caused by over consumption of fatty and sugary food and inadequate physical activities” said The Khaleej Times.

The Peninsula reminds adult people that patients with hypertension and diabetes should monitor their blood pressure regularly and practice more of sport activities: “Physical activities help medicines to be more effective and reduce the side effects. It is a vital part for treatment of these diseases. A patient with hypertension can walk between 45 to 60 minutes at least four to five days a week after Iftar or during non-fasting hours. This will help burn calories and reduce weight.”

On ArabTimesonLine, we can read an interview of a plastic surgeon in Kuwait: “Plastic surgery is very important to females mostly. Everyday you see models, you see singers, and you see actors and all of them are addicts to plastic surgery. Therefore they influence other people in a society. [Women] also try to imitate these famous people you see on TV.” 

To wear bikini, you need to practice sport even if you can also choose the risky lancet… But your mileage may vary!