Brides risking health for ‘perfect’ wedding day

One in five brides-to-be will go to “extreme” methods to slim down for their wedding day, a US study has revealed.

Such is the pressure on women to look ‘perfect’ on their wedding day, researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee found that an alarmingly high percentage will risk their health by skipping meals, taking unprescribed pills or laxatives and even ramming their fingers down their throat after eating.

The article also found that 70% of the 272 women monitored wanted to lose more than 20 pounds in the six months leading up the big day, while another 20% scrutinised their weight to ensure they did not put on any more weight.

“People take their bodies on as projects, and one of the times you want that project to be the most successful is on your wedding day,” said professor of nutrition Jeffrey Sobal, who co-wrote the study published in journal Appetite with Lori Neighbors

Thankfully, most women choose healthy ways to slim down, such as cutting the junk food from their diet and exercising.

But the researchers were distressed by the 20% of women who took slightly more extreme methods to fit into their wedding dresses.

As well as fasting and taking laxatives and diet pills, a small percentage started smoking again to help their weight loss. Resorting to making themselves vomit after meals, however, is particularly worrying.

“With the current high prevalence of anorexia nervosa and bulimia, the pressure of a wedding is one thing that may trigger this kind of behaviour,” said Sobal.

Another tactic is ordering a dress that is a few sizes too small, so they have something to aim for.

However, as Heidi Allen, wedding planner on hit TV reality show Rich Bride, Poor Bride, reveals, some take it a little too far.

She said: “I’ve had to send some brides who have ordered a size 12 to get alterations to make their dress a size 20. Luckily, I know a good seamstress, but it’s absolutely ridiculous the denial I see in the salon.”
Such rising expectations have seen the growth of an industry dedicated to wedding weight loss.

“Up until fairly recently, there was little overlap between the bridal and fitness industries,” said Neighbors.

“Today there are a ton of wedding weight loss books and wedding fitness programs out there.”

Source: Newsweek