When Jackie O Henderson told her radio listeners that she achieved her 10kg weight loss by skipping breakfast, having an avocado for lunch, and chicken and vegetables for dinner, she was met with prompt backlash.
The criticism from dietitians, nutritionists and mental health experts came almost instantly as they condemned the Kiis FM presenter for essentially promoting a “starvation diet”, as Butterfly Foundation ambassador Mia Findlay told The Daily Telegraph.
“The main concern I have is the example [her comments] set for so many people who would be fans of or followers of Jackie O because, she may make a choice about what she eats and doesn’t eat, but it’s very unhealthy – that small amount of food is not healthy for anybody,” The Butterfly Foundation’s CEO Christine Morgan told Mamamia after Jackie O’s initial comments.
The radio presenter defended her comments on air the next day, saying she did not eat that meal plan every day and has lost the weight gradually. But the negative reaction continued and Jackie O has now addressed the controversy again, saying she wishes she clarified herself better and put more thought into the implications of her words.
Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, the 43-year-old, said “I hated the idea that people thought I was promoting the fact that people should be starving themselves to lose weight.”
Top Comments
So Kitty doesn't hear the word "diet" at home. Has she started listening to what her mother and her colleagues talk about on the radio yet?