Girls should not change themselves because of what others say

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By Coco Fu, Tsuen Wan Public Ho Chuen Yiu Memorial College
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A positive body image should not depend on weight loss and dieting

By Coco Fu, Tsuen Wan Public Ho Chuen Yiu Memorial College |
Published: 
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There is a heated debate over whether girls should stay fit and slim.

Some people think that girls will eat less to lose weight and this is bad for their health.

Girls may also waste a lot of money  using slimming products and joining  weight-loss centres.

Many believe that being tall and slim is a sign of beauty. This is because many celebrities look like that. Also, girls may be happier when they see that they have lost weight. 

Some girls think it would be easier to find a boyfriend if they have a good figure, so they exercise daily.

Know­ing that you look good can raise your self-es­teem and con­fi­dence, too. 

But here’s the important thing. Girls should not change themselves because of what others say. So long as you are happy with your looks, and healthy, you do not need to worry about other people’s opinions. 

However, I believe that no one has the right to prevent girls from trying to have the “perfect” body.

Coco Fu, Tsuen Wan Public Ho Chuen Yiu Memorial College

Stop chasing the ideal beauty standard and make your health a top priority

From the Editor

Thank you for your letter, Coco. 

This is a very important topic. As the rate of teen obesity increases, we are constantly being told to watch our weight.

But the focus should be on maintaining a healthy weight. So your goal should not be to look very thin. This will mean you are less likely to suffer from illnesses in the long term. 

The weight-loss programmes that are advertised all over the city are not the best – they focus on looks rather than health.

I think the most effective way of losing weight is exercising. Exercise burns off unwanted calories.

Dance is a good exercise. There are many types of dance, such as modern dance, jazz and hip hop. You’re bound to find something you enjoy. But dancing alone won’t guarantee a healthy body. As many experts have regularly advised, we need a combination of exercise and a healthy diet to keep us looking and feeling our best.

However, you cannot expect to be very successful only on the basis of a good appearance. Hard work and perseverance play a key role.

M. J. Premaratne,  Sub-editor

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