PHOTOSGwyneth Paltrow Under Fire For Suggesting A ‘Leanest Livable Weight’ Goal On Goop
Oct. 14 2019, Published 4:50 p.m. ET
Gwyneth Paltrow is receiving major backlash for a suggestion made on her lifestyle website Goop. The Iron Man actress published an interview in which a doctor told readers to try and achieve their “leanest livable weight” goal. Doctors and nutrition experts are now slamming her for glorifying “skinniness.” Gwyneth, 47, has been criticized before for Goop’s content and called out by scientists.
The article titled “Busting Diet Myths” – which was taglined “Supported by Science” featured an interview with psychologist Dr. Traci Mann that encouraged readers to work towards the lowest possible end of their “set range.” “The phrase 'leanest livable weight' refers to the leanest weight you can be without doing any strict dieting or unhealthy behavior,” Dr. Mann explained. “Our set range is a genetically determined range of weight that your body generally keeps you in, despite your efforts to escape it.”
She continued, “If your weight is below that range, biological changes due to calorie deprivation happen, and generally push you back into your set range. However, if you stay within your set range—at the lower end of it—you should be able to maintain that weight without your body making those negative changes.”
These weight recommendations were not well received. Cambridge University scientist Dr. Giles Yeo argued that this kind of advice fuels eating disorders. “This is a dangerous suggestion, as many people will take it to mean they should be as thin as possible,” he said. The advice to be at the “low end” is “confusing and irresponsible.”
Dr. Yeo continued, “It is irresponsible because the idea is so open to misinterpretation, especially for young girls susceptible to eating disorders. The problem with many of Goop's recommendations is that they are not based on science, but pseudoscience.”
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The Cambridge University scientist also said that people should decrease their intake instead of “blindly counting calories, and that “fear of food” posts on websites like Goop send people rushing to try out fad diets.
“It's a silly idea because there is no clear way to determine what your leanest livable weight is,” he continued. “It is therefore nigh-on impossible to find a target to stick to. People should not be afraid of food, and 'diet' should not have become such a loaded term. Goop is part of the reason that people have become afraid of eating. We need to love our food, just eat less of it.”
This isn’t the first time the Shakespeare in Love star was slammed for her lifestyle site. In February, scientists were angry that Netflix planned on creating a series that could give her “pseudoscience a powerful platform.” Even though Goop has a strong following, it is also known for giving questionable wellness tips.
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