I think this family looks podgy, pasty and generally unhealthy, yet...

[Anna8888]

the article describes the girl as being "in perfectly good health".

Opinions?

Yes, Belgo, I would be interested to have more info about how they determined "perfectly healthy".

By "pasty" I don't mean "not tanned", I mean that they have white cheeks. They don't look like children who run around outside every day.

White pasty cheeks run in my family! We only get rosy cheeks when ill

But Anna you have to bear in mind that they are running about outside in Bolton - it's hardly tropical. My DD is very white. DS has a sort of mucky tan. They are both outside regularly. DD was still white after two weeks in the Languedoc where she only went indoors to sleep.

I do agree they look above average weight. And there is no info on what the rest of the family eat other than that it is not solely chocolate.

Hmmm... my sister's children live in Amsterdam, so similar Northern climate, and they are much rosier-cheeked than that. Still not really convinced.

And I am from the whitest-skinned, bluest-eyed, strawberry-blonded haired family around

God, why do you even care so much????

Because people's perceptions of healthy weight/looks are so wildly varying (and, I think, inaccurate). Just look at all the threads on weight and health. And because diet/weight is one of the health topics of our times.

I guess if the medical professsionals ahve declared her in good health, you will just have to take their word for it Anna.
Unless you know best, of course

They don't look the picture of glowing good health to me but I would have passed them in the street without a second thought tbh. In that particular photo the one who only eats chocolate does have nice thick healthy looking hair and her skin looks ok to me.

Well I think you may be right that they tend more to the podgy, pasty-looking . I always thought my dd looked reasonably healthy till I saw her one Saturday next to a friend the same age and colouring who did gymnastics 4 x week. That girl's skin (and hair and whole appearance) generally looked more taut and healthier by comparison. Hard to judge that girl's health just on the basis of that one photo

If the newspaper had spent the same amount of time using flattering lighting and photoshop capabilities on this family, as they do when they photograph slebs, this family would look just as 'healthy' as anyone else.

There will be a pic of my darlings on my profile in a few minutes. They are the whitest children I know. They spend a huge amount of time outside - we don't have a car.

But by Christ they are white.

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i think the mum looks quite overweight and the photographer has tried to hide this by the way he has positioned and framed the family
as has been stated health is not about looks - need to take a look inside, which we can't do via this silly little photograph

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I agree Cod - very stripey children. one I would say even looks slightly feline

ha, yes, and I'm sure you are going to pass comment on their facial hair too?

thier diet doesnt sound great but they dont look really unhealthy, particularly since one of the girls will only eat chocolate. the parents are a bit overweight but i wouldnt say massive and i thought most 12 year old girls were a bit podgy, isnt it just puppy fat?

not sure what cod means about working class brits? do you mean we all look 'bloaty'? im working class and really only eat on an evening due to running around after the kids all day so i dont think i leave the house looking 'bloaty' and my mum is tiny and couldnt look 'bloaty' if she tried to!!!

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Am cut to the quick

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My son cannot help having a parrot stuck to the side of his head, how dare you

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who, mine?

they don't - they are pasty. Every time my dad sees them he asks if they have been ill.

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pasty is very accurate and somewhat overweight i agree

They look reasonably normal.

But then I'm pasty and rather partial to choclate.