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Nikki Hayes speaks out about body image

2fm DJ Nikki Hayes talks about body image and dealing with anorexia as a teenager.

Article by : SpunOut.ie - Rating :

Is there too much pressure on young people today to be thin?
   
Definitely. In fact it really worries me the pressure put on image today. There are a lot of pageants such as Miss Bebo, Miss Outlast night, Miss be beautiful and every nightclub etc. has a Miss something or other. It’s gone to a crazy level and the organisers of these pageants have A LOT to answer for.

Are the media to blame for the size zero trend?

I think the media have a certain amount of blame for the models they have used in photo shoots who look emaciated. But I think we must take a share of blame for buying into the stick thin image over the last few years.

Do you think very slim celebrities such as Victoria Beckham or Keira Knightly should take some responsibility?

They most certainly should. I recently went to a recording of the X Factor and met with Cheryl Cole backstage. I was shocked at how thin she was, clearly a size zero. She had the flu and had a woman help her up onto and off the stage as well as provide support for her walking back to her dressing room as she had little energy. I had a photograph taken with her and when it was developed I was shocked at how obese I looked next to her tiny frame.

Society is very looks and image obsessed, which can be detrimental to the self esteem of young people who are trying to get to grips with themselves. How can we prevent this?

I just wish we didn’t obsess so much on weight and image. I suffered with anorexia when I was in my teens. I was a healthy weight and not very active with sports. The hockey crew used to slag me as the girls I hung about with were not into sports nor were we weight obsessed. The girls taunted me so much that I started losing weight. This led to anorexia following a gruelling exercise routine and surviving on two biscuits a day.

The worst part was when I got ill they then taunted me further calling me “Anorexic Annie”. One day two of them held me down and stuffed chocolate in my mouth while others watched on. It was horrific and my mother had to pull me out of the school. When my mother turned to the school for help the principal said “Well girls will be girls”. Unbelievable!! I was hospitalised under Dr Mary Darby’s care in St Vincent’s and  it was only then the scale of what had happened was acknowledged by the school. The prevention must start with the adults taking more control.

How can we help people accept themselves for who they are?

When I look at people I see features. One person may have gorgeous eyes, another a cute nose, high cheekbones, full lips. We’re all individual and all have good and bad features, they’re the things that make you, you!

We should embrace it. I still look in the mirror and I’m not entirely happy with what I see, but I’m me and it’s only a shell; the real me lies beneath the body I walk around in.

Should pictures of size zero models and celebs in magazines be banned or how would you deal with the pressures these outside influences have on people?

Yes I feel they should. They’re unnaturally unhealthy and make people think that is how we all should look. We all have different bone structures and most of us could end up very ill or even die trying to maintain or even get to a size zero.

Interview by Marie Duffy 

Read part two of this article.

Find supportive information:

http://www.spunout.ie/health/Healthy-body/Body-image
http://www.spunout.ie/health/Healthy-mind/Eating-disorders/Eating-disorders
http://www.spunout.ie/health/Healthy-mind/Eating-disorders/Anorexia
http://www.spunout.ie/health/Healthy-mind/Eating-disorders/Recovering
http://www.spunout.ie/health/Healthy-mind/Eating-disorders/Video:-Bodywhys

Get support:

Bodywhys is an organisation that provides information, support and advice to those with eating disorders and their families. Call their helpline on Lo Call 1890 200 444 or visit www.bodywhys.ie.

Get talking about body image here.

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Your Comments

Posted by : caz - 08 days ago

i think teens also feel pressurised by the way their peers look.......people looks aren't everything

Posted by : lucylou - 07 days ago

I love how honest she is!This size zero trend that has taken the celeb world by storm and had wormed its way in to the real world by the means of media outlets such as glossy magazines and this 'perfect' image that is out there for girls and women. Nikki is so brave to speak out, I truly admire her perspective on this issue. I'm 5ft 8inches, a size 12 and eleven stone and in no way, manner or means intend on starving myself to become an unattractive, boney size zero!No thank you!Go Nikki!

Posted by : teresa - 17 days ago

my daughter is only seven stone and i cant get her to see shes underweight. at eleven she was buying these glam mags. she has the most beautifull eyes and when she was a normal weight looked fab. i wish to say to all the stick thin girls please look again and dont fall into the cleb trap. a very helplees mother looking on at her daughter fadeing away.

Posted by : bountyboy - 19 days ago

Awesome interview!!! I think she is amazing for speaking out like this. It shows us that celebs are human too!!!

Posted by : marie - 20 days ago

I think Nikki is brave to speak out truthfully--- due to the stigma associated with mental illness people are afraid to admit to having had problems---- I think shes great and wish there were more people like her. I have so much respect for her

Posted by : twilight-addict - 07 days ago

I agree with everything Nikki said. Changes need to be made to let people know that going on diets,not eating as much or at all and exercising like mad just to look like some celeb isnt healthy or safe. Everyone is different and unique and that's what kakes you beautiful.

Posted by : obamagirl - 07 days ago

Go Nikki! :)

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