The Soloist, Contibutor

This week, I leave my problems at home and take on those of my sisters elsewhere in the world. When I read this one, I thought to myself, 'you see my dying trial?' I was particularly incensed because recently, right here in Jamaica, I was told by a friend about a mother who has a teenage son who was suffering from anorexia! You read right ... anorexia!

As if we hadn't done enough harm to our girls; not to mention supermodels who starve themselves to get ahead in the industry. Now it's boys' turn to try to be slim no matter what. Seems like Jamaicans just love to copy all the bad habits of their dysfunctional role models in the United States of America. So, on the subject of role models, read on.

Star brother Ron Livingston defends 'fat' anchor sister, Jennifer.

A TV anchor who was told she was a bad role model because she was overweight has been defended by her TV star brother.

Ron Livingston, who played Sarah Jessica Parker's love interest Berger in Sex and the City, released a statement obtained by Us Weekly, saying his sister, Jennifer Livingston, has always been his "role model".

Livingston, a Wisconsin TV journalist at WKBT News 8, attracted attention when she responded to a viewer letter attacking her weight and saying she was a bad role model for children, particularly girls.

In his initial email, the man, who has now been identified as Kenneth Krause, wrote that, "obesity is one of the worst choices a person can make", then urged Livingston to "reconsider your responsibility to present and promote a healthy lifestyle."

But Ron Livingston leapt to his sister's defence.

"My sister Jennifer is an Emmy-winning journalist and mother of three amazing girls," he wrote. "She brings an exceptional dedication to her job, her family, and her community, and has been a role model of mine for many, many years. I'm extremely proud of her."

her response

Jennifer's response to the unkind viewer read in part: "... the truth is, I am overweight. You could call me fat and yes, even obese, on a doctor's chart. But to the person who wrote me that letter, do you think I don't know that? That your cruel words are pointing out something that I don't see? You don't know me. You are not a friend of mine. You are not a part of my family and you have admitted that you don't watch this show. So you know nothing about me but what you see on the outside, and I am much more than a number on a scale."

Read more at: news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/tv-anchor-jennifer-livingston

Obesity is a real problem everywhere. I know. It is very easy to pack on the pounds but difficult to shed them. And if you are genetically predisposed to be fat, it will take a miracle to make you waifer thin.

Criticisms can roll off some people's backs. If someone has the nerve to criticise my weight, I will tell them where to get off. I once told a rather unattractive colleague at work that I could lose my weight but she'd always be damned ugly, when she embarrassed me by making insensitive remarks about my weight in front of others. My retort put a permanent zipper on her trap! And I will tell anyone else, who is brave enough to pass such remarks, a lot more.

Until all the fat people in the world like myself and others find comfortable ways to keep the excess pounds at bay, may I invite those who don't like it to look the other way when they see me coming! Have a great week!

lifestyle@gleanerjm.com

CAPTION: This frame grab provided by WKBT-TV in La Crosse, Wisconsin, shows television anchorwoman Jennifer Livingston last Tuesday during her broadcast responding to a viewer who wrote her an email criticising her weight. Livingston says she thought nothing of the email. But she's angry that some children may not know to do the same when they're criticised, or worse, by bullies.