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What is ‘health at every size’ lifestyle counselling? How does it compare with weight-focused treatments?

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/clare-collins-7316">Clare Collins</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-newcastle-1060">University of Newcastle</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/erin-clarke-1314081">Erin Clarke</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-newcastle-1060">University of Newcastle</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jordan-stanford-1631336">Jordan Stanford</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-newcastle-1060">University of Newcastle</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/maria-gomez-martin-1218567">María Gómez Martín</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-newcastle-1060">University of Newcastle</a> Health at every size (or HAES) is a lifestyle counselling approach that promotes mindful eating and lifestyle behaviours to pursue health and wellness, without focusing on weight loss. Weight loss is seen as a <a href="https://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/clinical/understanding-the-%E2%80%98health-at-every-size%E2%80%99-paradigm">beneficial side effect</a>, rather than a goal. The <a href="https://www.sizeinclusivehealth.org.au/What-is-HAES">Association for Size Diversity and Health</a> first developed the approach in 2003 and revised it in 2013 and 2024. Its current <a href="https://asdah.org/haes/">core principles</a> promote: <ul> <li>minimising weight discrimination</li> <li>encouraging body acceptance</li> <li>intuitive eating</li> <li>enjoyable physical activities.</li> </ul> It also aims to address <a href="https://theobesitycollective.org.au/our-work/#weight-stigma-awareness">stigma and discrimination</a> that people in larger bodies may experience when seeking medical care. Internationally, a <a href="https://asdah.org/listing/">range of health professionals</a> have incorporated the HAES approach into their treatment and services. Some organisations, such as <a href="https://obesitycanada.ca/guidelines/nutrition/">Obesity Canada</a>, have included HAES in their <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32753461/">guidelines for obesity treatment</a>. <h2>How does it compare with weight-focused treatments?</h2> We conducted a <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38563692/">systematic review and meta-analysis</a> of all the research studies published until November 2022 that had used HAES-based programs. Across 19 scientific papers, we compared the outcomes of people living in larger bodies who used HAES-based programs <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38563692/">with</a>: <ul> <li>conventional weight loss programs (six studies)</li> <li>people on waiting lists receiving no treatment at all (six studies)</li> <li>groups where people received weekly social support in groups (four studies).</li> </ul> We evaluated the program’s impact on appetite, weight, physical health measurements including cholesterol and blood pressure, and also wellbeing and mental health. Our analysis found HAES interventions were beneficial in reducing susceptibility to hunger more than other approaches, meaning people had less subjective perceptions of hunger or eating in response to emotions. However, compared to control interventions, HAES did not show superior results for improving any other physical health outcome – weight loss, blood cholesterol levels, blood pressure – or wellbeing or mental health outcomes. Given the results to date, the choice about whether to use a HAES-based approach (or not) will depend on each person’s preference, needs and goals. <h2>Don’t get your health advice from influencers</h2> While HAES has been used in clinical practice for many years, some United States and Canadian anti-diet practitioner’s motives have been scrutinised because of their links <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2024/04/03/diet-culture-nutrition-influencers-general-mills-processed-food/">with processed food companies</a>. The spotlight was put on the <a href="https://nutritionbycarrie.com/2024/04/washington-post-dietitians.html">very small number</a> of dietitian “influencers” (roughly 20 from a membership of more than 80,000 dietitians in the US and Canada) promoting “eat what you feel like” and discouraging people from making weight loss attempts, under the banner of HAES. They failed to mention they were being paid to promote products sold by food, beverage or supplement companies. US <a href="https://nutritionbycarrie.com/2024/04/washington-post-dietitians.html">author and dietitian Carrie Dennet</a> urges people to not look to influencers for health advice. Instead, seek non-judgemental health care from your GP. <h2>What might treatment look like?</h2> When improving your health is a treatment goal, a good place to start your journey is to have a health check-up with your doctor, as well as to assess your relationship with food. A healthy relationship with food means being able to eat appropriate amounts and variety of foods to meet your nutritional, health and wellbeing goals. This might include strategies such as: <ul> <li>keeping a <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-does-having-a-good-relationship-with-food-mean-4-ways-to-know-if-youve-got-one-202622">food mood diary</a></li> <li>reflecting on factors that influence your eating</li> <li>practising <a href="https://theconversation.com/thinking-youre-on-a-diet-is-half-the-problem-heres-how-to-be-a-mindful-eater-99207">mindful eating</a></li> <li>learning about nutrient needs</li> <li>focusing on food enjoyment and the pleasure that comes from preparing, sharing and eating with others.</li> </ul> If you need more help to develop this, ask your doctor to refer you to a health practitioner who can assist. <h2>What if your goal is weight loss?</h2> When it comes to medical nutrition therapy to treat weight-related health conditions, such as high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes, the approach will depend on individual needs and expectations. Broadly, there are three graded energy intake target levels: <ol> <li> a reduced-energy diet where the goal is to lower energy intake by 2,000 to 4,000 kilojoules (kJ) per day by identifying food substitutions, like swapping soft drinks and other sugar-sweetened drinks for zero or diet versions or water. </li> <li> a <a href="https://theconversation.com/health-check-whats-the-best-diet-for-weight-loss-21557">low-energy diet</a>, which uses an energy intake goal in the range of 4,200-5,000 kJ, up to 7,000 kJ per day depending on an individual’s energy expenditure. </li> <li> the most restricted regime is a <a href="https://theconversation.com/health-check-whats-the-best-diet-for-weight-loss-21557">very low-energy diet</a>, has an energy intake target less than 2,500 kJ/day, achieved using formulated meal replacement products. </li> </ol> The aim of a <a href="https://theconversation.com/health-check-whats-the-best-diet-for-weight-loss-21557">very low-energy diet</a> is to facilitate rapid weight loss when this is essential to improve health acutely such as poorly controlled type 2 diabetes. Such a diet should be used under supervision by your doctor and dietitian. When selecting an initial <a href="https://theconversation.com/health-check-whats-the-best-diet-for-weight-loss-21557">strategy</a>, seek a balance between energy intake goals and your ability to stick to it. Your approach may change over time as your health needs change. If you need personalised nutrition advice, ask for a referral to an accredited practising dietitian. The <a href="https://member.dietitiansaustralia.org.au/Portal/Portal/Search-Directories/Find-a-Dietitian.aspx">register of service providers though Dietitians Australia</a> allows you to view their expertise and location. Regardless of whether your practitioner uses a HAES approach or not, your health providers should always treat you with respect and address your personal health and wellbeing.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/234376/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/clare-collins-7316">Clare Collins</a>, Laureate Professor in Nutrition and Dietetics, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-newcastle-1060">University of Newcastle</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/erin-clarke-1314081">Erin Clarke</a>, Postdoctoral Researcher, Nutrition and Dietetics, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-newcastle-1060">University of Newcastle</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jordan-stanford-1631336">Jordan Stanford</a>, Post Doctorate Fellow, Nutrition and Dietetics, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-newcastle-1060">University of Newcastle</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/maria-gomez-martin-1218567">María Gómez Martín</a>, Dietitian and early career researcher, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-newcastle-1060">University of Newcastle</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-is-health-at-every-size-lifestyle-counselling-how-does-it-compare-with-weight-focused-treatments-234376">original article</a>.

Body

Busting a king-sized myth: why Australia and NZ could become republics – and still stay in the Commonwealth

The imminent coronation of King Charles III is an ideal time for Australia and New Zealand to take stock of the British monarchy and its role in national life – including certain myths about what becoming a republic might mean. In particular, there is a common assumption that both nations must remain monarchies to retain membership of the Commonwealth of Nations. It might sound logical, but it’s entirely wrong. There is no basis for it in the rules of the Commonwealth or the practice of its members. Australia could ditch the monarchy and stay in the club, and New Zealand can too, whether it has a king or a Kiwi as head of state. Yet this peculiar myth persists at home and abroad. Students often ask me about it when I’m teaching the structure of government. And just this week a French TV station interpreted the New Zealand prime minister’s opinion that his country would one day <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/may/01/new-zealand-will-ideally-become-a-republic-one-day-says-chris-hipkins">ideally become a republic</a> to mean he would <a href="https://www.bfmtv.com/international/oceanie/nouvelle-zelande/nouvelle-zelande-le-nouveau-premier-ministre-souhaite-que-son-pays-quitte-le-commonwealth_AN-202305010328.html">like to see</a> it leave the Commonwealth. <h2>What does ‘Commonwealth’ mean?</h2> The implication that breaking from the Commonwealth would be a precursor to, or consequence of, becoming a republic relies on a faulty premise which joins two entirely separate things: the way we pick our head of state, and our membership of the Commonwealth. It would make just as much sense to ask whether Australia or New Zealand should leave the International Cricket Council and become a republic. The confusion may derive from the fact that the 15 countries that continue to have the British sovereign as their head of state are known as “Commonwealth Realms”. What we usually refer to as the Commonwealth, on the other hand, is the organisation founded in 1926 as the British Commonwealth of Nations. This is the body whose membership determines the competing nations of the <a href="https://www.commonwealthsport.com/">Commonwealth Games</a>, the highest-profile aspect of the Commonwealth’s work. King Charles III is the head of state of the 15 Commonwealth Realms and the head of the international governmental organisation that is the Commonwealth of Nations. The Commonwealth has 56 members – but only 15 of them continue to have the king as head of state. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said Monday he personally favors his country becoming a republic, though it’s not a change he intends to push for as leader. <a href="https://t.co/1XEiFFtqPT">https://t.co/1XEiFFtqPT</a> <a href="https://t.co/aftsZ0hHmV">pic.twitter.com/aftsZ0hHmV</a> — The Diplomat (@Diplomat_APAC) <a href="https://twitter.com/Diplomat_APAC/status/1653406552693395457?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 2, 2023</a></blockquote> <h2>Joining the Commonwealth club</h2> To be fair, confusion over who heads the Commonwealth is nothing new. A <a href="https://www.royalcwsociety.org/_files/ugd/e578ea_5642f282aad345faa0b39c9eebd465e5.pdf">2010 poll</a> conducted by the Royal Commonwealth Society found that, of the respondents in seven countries, only half knew the then queen was the head of the Commonwealth. A quarter of Jamaicans believed the organisation was led by the then US president, Barack Obama. One in ten Indians and South Africans thought it was run by former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan. Given the king’s overlapping leadership roles and the different use of the word in the contexts of Commonwealth Realms and the Commonwealth of Nations, these broad misunderstandings are perhaps understandable. In fact, it was this ambiguity that allowed for the development of an inclusive Commonwealth during the postwar years of decolonisation. However the confusion arose, it is also very simple to correct. The Commonwealth relaxed its membership rules regarding republics when India became one in 1950. According to Philip Murphy, the historian and former director of the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, this decision was based on the erroneous idea that India’s huge standing army would underwrite Britain’s great-power status in the postwar world. From that point on the Commonwealth of Nations no longer comprised only members who admitted to the supremacy of one sovereign. To make the change palatable, a piece of conceptual chicanery was needed. Each country did not need a king, but theking was to be head of the organisation comprising equal members. <h2>Monarchy optional</h2> Since then, the number of Commonwealth members has steadily increased to the 56 we have today. As early as 1995, membership was extended to countries with no ties to the former British Empire. With the support of Nelson Mandela, Mozambique became a member, joining the six Commonwealth members with which it shared a border. Rwanda, a former German and then Belgian colony, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/oukwd-uk-commonwealth-rwanda-idAFTRE5AS1C520091129">joined in 2009</a>. It became an enthusiastic member and hosted the biennial meeting of states known as CHOGM (Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting). The most recent countries to take up Commonwealth membership are the <a href="https://thecommonwealth.org/news/gabon-and-togo-join-commonwealth">former French colonies of Togo and Gabon</a>. According to the <a href="http://www.thecommonwealth.org/shared_asp_files/GFSR.asp?NodeID=174532">Commonwealth’s own rules</a>, membership is based on a variety of things, including commitment to democratic processes, human rights and good governance. Being a monarchy is entirely optional. The new king offers the chance for a broader debate on the advantages of monarchy. But let’s do so knowing Commonwealth membership is entirely unaffected by the question of whether or not the country is a republic. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/busting-a-king-sized-myth-why-australia-and-nz-could-become-republics-and-still-stay-in-the-commonwealth-204750" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.

Legal

8 bite-sized renovations you can do on the weekend

We’re all time poor but that doesn’t mean you have to develop renovation inertia. By chunking down the big tasks you need to do around your home into bite-sized, weekend-worthy nibbles you can power through a number of renovation items piece by manageable piece. 1. Replace your handles Upgrading your old, tired <a href="https://www.domain.com.au/news/why-reddit-is-losing-it-over-doorknobs-20160323-gnpe5q/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">door handles</a> is as simple as measuring the distance between the holes and searching online or in store to find a straight replace. Unscrew the old ones, hanging onto the existing screws, as otherwise you may have to cut the ones supplied with the new handles to size, and screw the new ones in place. Simple. 2. Changing cupboard fronts A wonderful visual upgrade, you need to check that your kitchen has standard-sized cupboards for this to be an easy weekend upgrade. Standard cupboard and drawer sizes will have plenty of options in stores and online. You’ll need to check the location of hinges, the height and width of fronts and the condition of your carcasses but by unscrewing and replacing cupboards you can transform your kitchen or bathroom cabinets completely. You’ll find some <a href="https://www.domain.com.au/news/cabinet-fever-on-the-rise-20120706-21kkk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">interesting colour, texture and pattern options</a> The only impediment is your creativity. 3. Paint your doors While painting your whole home might be a bit more than you can manage in one sitting, a nice bite-sized job is to apply a couple of coats of <a href="https://www.domain.com.au/news/for-the-love-of-the-coloured-front-door-20151127-gl5boi/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">coloured paint to your existing internal and external doors</a>. Sure, you might not get through them all in one weekend but you can chip away at this task after work or in the mornings and add amazing contrast and interest to your interior scheme. Remember to use an enamel paint for doors and timber work. 4. Replace your shower head and toilet seats One of the things I do routinely when moving into a new property is replace the shower head with a new one. Most replacement shower heads come with thread tape and you don’t need to be a plumber to do this straight replace as it doesn’t interrupt the fitting connection. If you can manage that the toilet seat replacement is a cinch. 5. Regrouting tiles Scrape out any old or worn grout and replace with a new colour or a replacement of the existing. A word to the wise – don’t grout floors in white as they will be mid grey in no time. 6. Replace bathroom accessories Another quick trip to the hardware store or bathroom supplier and you can <a href="https://www.domain.com.au/news/budget-bathroom-makeovers-can-make-big-difference-20150703-gi12es/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">give your bathroom a facelift</a> to complement that lovely new shower head. 7. Fill gaps and scrapes There are different fillers for different tasks. A quick-dry, all-purpose one like Selley’s Rapid Filler is great for scratches and scrapes on walls or filling in bumps in timber work before painting. Fill gaps between skirtings, cornices and walls with no more gaps. Use a two-part filler like builders bog for areas that need a more hard-wearing but still sandable solution. 8. Remove redundant “features” and install new ones Pulling out old, dated or worn shelving and storage cabinets can free up wall space and liberate your rooms from a tired look. Installing wall hung units or floating shelves can give you an opportunity to <a href="https://www.domain.com.au/advice/moving-house-how-to-let-it-go-declutter/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">clear your home of clutter</a> or create a place for you to best display your favourite items. Images and extract from HomeSpace and Easy Luxury by Darren Palmer (Murdoch Books, RRP $39.95 each), with photography by Felix Forest. Written by Darren Palmer. First appeared on <a href="http://www.domain.com.au" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Domain.com.au.</a> Images: Getty

Home Hints & Tips

Why the size of your glasses matters

It can be frustrating when you’ve picked up your news glasses only to find the frame presses against your head or the glasses keep slipping down your nose. Getting the right pair of glasses isn’t just about the right prescription, finding a comfortable frame is also key to enjoying relaxed and (almost) perfect vision. So if you’ve ever suffered buyer’s remorse after a glasses purchase, here are the tips to follow so you always get the perfect fit for your new glasses. The lens In general, the thinner and lighter the lens, the more comfortable the spectacles will be to wear. If possible, choose a thinner lens so your glasses won’t feel as heavy on the nose and ears. The nose bridge As one of the few points of contact with your face, it’s important to carefully consider the comfort of the glasses’ nose bridge. You want the nose pads to sit solidly on your nose, otherwise they can quickly lose their grip and keep sliding down. The sides The sides of your spectacles shouldn’t press into your temples. Some people mistakenly believe pressure means the glasses fit properly, but there should never be any heaviness felt on the temples. You might feel some pressure behind the ear, but that’s ok as this keeps the weight of the glasses from being borne wholly by your nose. The frame As a general rule, when you look through your glasses it should be at the middle of the lens. The top of the frame should sit below the eyebrows but above the fold of the eye and the frame should not be much wider than your face. Image: Getty Images

Eye Care

“Pint-sized explorer” takes on Kosciusko to honour his late mum

A six-year-old boy has spent a day conquering Australia’s highest peak for a cause that is incredibly close to him and his family. Ollie Finnane, accompanied by his cousins Finn Gibson, ten, and Ted O’Hare, eight, trekked to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko for a good cause: to raise money for the Torie Finnane Foundation, established in honour of Ollie’s late mother. “The boys wanted to do something for the foundation,” Ollie’s dad Liam Finnane told <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/torie-finnane-foundation-schoolboy-climbs-mt-kosciuosko-raise-money-for-mum/09f55c71-4a8b-41fc-abb2-148549d06dfa" target="_blank">9news.com.au</a>. “So they set the goal of climbing Australia’s highest peak on Australia Day, and hoped to raise $5000 to $10,000 along the way.” When they made it back to Thredbo on Thursday night, they discovered the figure was well over $20,000. “There was no whinging and no sore feet,” Liam said. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CZLHV_BPK-w/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CZLHV_BPK-w/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Torie Finnane Foundation (@toriefinnanefoundation)</a> </div> </blockquote> Torie Finnane, Ollie’s mum, was a popular and respected midwife at the Orange Hospital, in the city of Orange in NSW’s central west. In December 2020, while celebrating the birth of her third child Maisie and the family’s first night at home as a family of five, Torie began experiencing headaches. Within just a few days, Torie had succumbed to bacterial meningitis, passing away in the very same hospital where she had assisted in the birth of so many babies. Her death greatly affected the close-knit community, with Liam now caring for three children under five on his own. With her family and friends wanting to honour her passion for healthcare, the Torie Finnane Foundation was established in December 2021 - a year after Torie’s passing. The foundation aims to provide the highest quality midwifery and nursing services in regional areas by purchasing much-needed equipment and providing training scholarships and placements. Through the foundation, regional midwives and special care nurses will spend a month training and learning from experienced obstetricians in Sydney, before returning to regional areas to utilise their skills. “Investing in nurses and midwives means we invest in patient safety and clinical care in our community,” Orange Hospital General Manager Catherine Nowlan told the ABC in December. Ollie, Finn and Ted’s climb marks one of the first fundraising efforts for the foundation, with their climb announced on social media little over a month before it began. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CXkB9rGPx3K/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CXkB9rGPx3K/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Torie Finnane Foundation (@toriefinnanefoundation)</a> </div> </blockquote> “Look at these little legends! Meet Torie’s son Ollie Finnane (6), nephew Ted O’Hare (8) and nephew Finn Gibson (10),” a post on the foundation’s Instagram page reads. “These pint sized explorers are going to tackle a 13km walk across the top of Mt Kosciuszko on Australia Day to honour Torie, with the aim to raise $10,000 for TFF.” “We thought we can make a difference,” Liam said after the climb. “Even on Kosciuszko, people saw the boys in their Torie Finnane Foundation shirts and were offering them cash halfway up the mountain.” The <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.toriefinnanefoundation.com.au/" target="_blank">foundation</a> is still accepting donations, with the first nurse placements expected to start later this year. Image: @toriefinnanefoundation (Instagram)

Family & Pets

Behind the new Samsung Fold: how the quest to maximise screen size is driving major innovation

To enlarge a phone, or not to enlarge a phone? That is the question. In the world of flagship smartphones, there seems to be one clear trend: bigger is better. Manufacturers are trying to strip away anything that might stand in the way of the largest possible slab of screen. There is also growing demand for thinner phones with diminishing <a href="https://www.lifewire.com/bezel-4155199">bezels</a> (the area surrounding a screen). This trend has now culminated in the latest innovation in smartphone design, the <a href="https://www.t3.com/au/news/best-folding-phones">foldable screen phone</a>. These devices sport thin <a href="https://www.techradar.com/au/news/what-is-oled">OLED</a> self illuminating screens that can be folded in half. The newest release is the <a href="https://www.theverge.com/21427462/samsung-galaxy-z-fold-2-review">Samsung Galaxy Z fold 2</a> – a device that is almost three-quarters screen and has extravagant overtones rivalled only by a hefty <a href="https://www.samsung.com/au/smartphones/galaxy-z-fold2/buy/">A$2,999 price tag</a>. Hear from them But to prevent the phones themselves from growing to unwieldy size, manufacturers are having to find ways to balance size with usability and durability. This presents some interesting engineering challenges, as well as some innovative solutions. Internal design complexities of folding phones Modern phones still typically use a thin LCD or plastic OLED display covered by an outer glass panel. Folding displays are a new category that exploit the flexibility of OLED display panels. Instead of simply fixing these panels to a rigid glass panel, they carefully engineer the panel so that it bends – but never quite tightly enough to snap or crack. Internal structural support is needed to make sure the panel doesn’t crease, or isn’t stressed to the point of creating damage, discolouration or visible surface ripples. Since this is a mechanical, moving system, reliability issues need to be considered. For instance, how long will the hinge last? How many times can it be <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2019/10/4/20898484/samsung-galaxy-fold-folding-test-failure-durability">folded and unfolded</a> before it malfunctions? Will dirt or dust make its way into the assembly during daily use and affect the screen? Such devices need an added layer of reliability over traditional slab-like phones, which have no moving parts. Large screen, thin phone: a recipe for disaster? Each generation of smartphones becomes thinner and with smaller bezels, which improves the viewing experience but can make the phone harder to handle. In such designs, the area of the device you can grip without touching the display screen is small. This leads to a higher chance of <a href="https://www.cnet.com/news/study-19-percent-of-people-drop-phones-down-toilet/">dropping the device</a> – a blunder even the best of us have made. There’s an ongoing tussle between consumers and manufacturers. Consumers want a large, viewable surface as well as an easily portable and rugged device. But from an engineering point of view, these are usually competing requirements. You’ll often see people in smartphone ads holding the device with two hands. In real life, however, most people use their phone with <a href="https://www.smartinsights.com/mobile-marketing/mobile-design/research-on-mobile-interaction-behaviour-and-design/">one</a> <a href="https://alistapart.com/article/how-we-hold-our-gadgets/">hand</a>. Thus, the shift towards larger, thinner phones has also given rise to a boom in demand for assistive tools attached to the back, such as <a href="https://www.androidcentral.com/best-popsockets">pop-out grips and phone rings</a>. In trying to maximise screen size, smartphone developers also have to account for interruptions in the display, such as the placement of cameras, laser scanners (for face or object identification), proximity sensors and speakers. All are placed to minimise visual intrusion. Now you see it, now you don’t In the engineering world, to measure the physical world you need either cameras or sensors, such as in a fingerprint scanner. With the race to increase the real estate space on screens, typically these cameras and scanners are placed somewhere around the screen. But they take up valuable space. This is why we’ve recently seen tricks to carve out more space for them, such as <a href="https://www.techradar.com/au/news/this-is-the-worlds-first-smartphone-where-half-the-screen-is-a-fingerprint-scanner">pop up</a> cameras and <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=phone+screen+hole+for+camera&source=lmns&bih=598&biw=1280&rlz=1C5CHFA_enAU871AU871&safe=active&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjXvcyoveDrAhUwhUsFHXvqBYMQ_AUoAHoECAEQAA">punch-hole</a> cameras, in which the camera sits in a cutout hole allowing the display to extend to the corners. But another fantastic place for sensors is right in front of us: the screen. Or more specifically, under the screen. Samsung is one company that has suggested placing selfie-cameras and fingerprint readers behind the screen. But how do you capture a photo or a face image through a layer of screen? Up until recently, this has been put in the “too hard basket”. But that is changing: Xiaomi, Huawei and <a href="https://www.extremetech.com/mobile/262497-samsung-patent-shows-phone-camera-inside-display">Samsung</a> all have patents for <a href="https://www.phonearena.com/news/samsung-galaxy-s21-s30-under-display-camera_id125174">under-display cameras</a>. There are a range of ways to do this, from allowing a camera to see through the screen, to using <a href="https://www.rp-photonics.com/microlenses.html">microlenses</a> and camera pixels distributed throughout the display itself – similar to an insect’s <a href="https://www.britannica.com/animal/insect/Nervous-system#ref250944">compound eye</a>. In either case, the general engineering challenge is to implement the feature in a way that doesn’t impact screen image quality, nor majorly affect camera resolution or colour accuracy. Laptops in our pockets With up to 3.8 billion smartphone users <a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/330695/number-of-smartphone-users-worldwide/">expected by 2021</a>, mobile computing is a primary consumer technology area seeing significant growth and investment. One driver for this is the professional market, where larger mobile devices allow more efficient on-the-go business transactions. The second market is individuals who who <a href="https://www.statista.com/topics/779/mobile-internet/">only have a mobile device</a> and no laptop or desktop computer. It’s all about choice, but also functionality. Whatever you choose has to get the job done, support a positive user experience, but also survive the rigours of the real world. Written by Andrew Maxwell. Republished with permission of <a href="https://theconversation.com/behind-the-new-samsung-fold-how-the-quest-to-maximise-screen-size-is-driving-major-innovation-145700">The Conversation.</a>

Art

“Human-sized” bat leaves people horrified

A “human-sized” megabat has gone viral on social media. A photograph of the creature, which was spotted in the Philippines, reportedly first appeared on <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/natureismetal/comments/963rm3/what_do_you_do_when_you_see_a_flying_fox_in_your/">Reddit</a> before it was circulated around social media pages in recent weeks. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Remember when I told y'all about the Philippines having human-sized bats? Yeah, this was what I was talking about <a href="https://t.co/nTVIMzidbC">pic.twitter.com/nTVIMzidbC</a> — Alex☔ (@AlexJoestar622) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlexJoestar622/status/1275653432897126401?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2020</a></blockquote> Various captions described it as the endangered giant golden-crowned flying fox (Acerodon jubatus), but the animal in the picture does not seem to have the characteristic golden fur on its head. Some suggest that the animal could be a large flying fox (Pteropus vampyrus). The megabat’s wingspan could reach up to 1.7m, but its body generally only grows up to 32cm in length and weighs less than 2kg. Flying foxes are also known to feed on flowers, nectar and fruits. Unlike their microbat counterparts, flying foxes lack the ability to echolocate and instead rely on eyesight to navigate.

Travel Trouble

Di, Kate and Meghan's royal plus-size fashion recreation

A plus size blogger has recreated previously worn outfits by members of the Royal Family in a bid to “supersize” the stylish looks into wearable moments for everyday women. Kate Sturino, 36, has shared her inspired outfits to her Instagram page with over 400 thousand followers to prove you don’t have to be slim and trim to dress like royalty! Katie became inspired to recreate looks worn by the Duchess of Cambridge and Sussex to show how plus sized women can be stylish without breaking the bank or their confidence. The blogger even goes the extra mile and gets her friend Ryan Dziadul, a male plus size blogger, to stand in as her royal hubby. However, she has made it clear she is not trying to outdo anyone, and stated “It’s not about who wore it better, style has no size!” Unfortunately, Ms Sturino is no stranger to controversy or criticism, and recently took to social media to speak about the disparaging comments she received for taking on outfits worn by Duchess Meghan. “My #SuperSizeTheLook shots with Meghan Markle got picked up and the comments are brutal...they do not hurt my feelings, but they are scary!” she said in a post. “It’s scary that a woman who is almost the average size in this country would be regarded with such shock! “Also, they don’t stop at my body, they are equal opportunity women haters who take shots at MM as well!” Scroll through the gallery to see the plus size blogger take on royal outfits.

Beauty & Style

The one-size-fits-all financial advice you should follow

Just like clothes and shoes, financial advice can be a good fit for some and not applicable for others. However, there is one universal tip that everyone should adhere to. While it may seem obvious, many people tend to overlook the fine print when they sign a contract or make a purchase. This covers a wide range of situations, from online shopping and credit cards to housing, loans and rentals. Failing to read the small print can lead to big problems. Apart from extra charges and fees, you may get caught up in unfair policies that prevent you from resorting to legal actions such as arbitration or class action lawsuit. To get ahead of the issue, here are <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2019/09/follow-this-one-size-fits-all-financial-advice/" target="_blank">a few things</a> you can do: <ul> <li>Find out what the business would do if certain situations arise – for example, if your parcel goes missing in the mail, or a contract needs to be terminated earlier. Make sure these are spelled out in the contract.</li> <li>Check the store’s policy for cancellations, returns, refunds and/or warranties.</li> <li>See if your subscription automatically renews after the free trial.</li> <li>Make sure that verbal agreements are documented in the closing papers.</li> </ul>

Retirement Income

The Japanese hotel room that comes with a life-size flight simulator

For aviation enthusiasts, the flight may be the best part of a trip. But that might change after a Japanese hotel came up with a special accommodation option. The Haneda Excel Hotel Tokyu has installed a <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/japan-hotel-flight-simulator-intl-hnk/index.html">flight simulator</a> inside one of its rooms. Guests can come in and enjoy a 90-minute flying session in the “Superior Cockpit Room” suite, where they will simulate the experience of piloting a Boeing 737-800 from Haneda to Itami Airport in Osaka. The hotel said visitors can “experience the sense that you are actually maneuvering by tilting the landscape by operating your control stick.” The hotel, which is located at Tokyo’s Haneda International Airport, offers the simulator experience for 30,000 Yen (NZ$414), complete with a flight instructor to guide you through the cockpit. You can also book the room for an additional 25,300 Yen (NZ$350) per night.

International Travel

Arnott’s slammed for "size-shaming" biscuit ad

Arnott’s has been slammed by customers after a body-shaming ad from 14 years ago resurfaced online. The contentious ad features two pairs of underwear and a pack of Snack Right Fruit Slice biscuits. The larger pair is labelled “snack wrong”, while the smaller pair is labelled “snack right”. At the bottom of the page, an image of the biscuit packet is featured with the tagline “the healthier biscuit”. <iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fnopesisters%2Fphotos%2Fa.584970321700687%2F1073435262854188%2F%3Ftype%3D3&width=500" width="500" height="745" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe> Social media users criticised the ad for encouraging body image issues. “This size shaming marketing for Arnott’s Biscuits Limited in a mag is ABSOLUTELY WRONG! How dare they try to sell high sugar biscuits in this disgraceful way,” a Facebook page posted along with a picture of the ad. “When will they get it? That #ANYSIZE is right for you, as long as you are healthy and happy.” “Just dreadful. I hope their marketing team listens. Really listens and gets why this is so wrong,” one person commented. “This is something they should be ashamed of,” another added. After the ad circulated around social media sites on Monday, an Arnott’s spokesperson confirmed that the campaign is not current. “This advertising campaign … was in poor taste, and does not reflect Arnott's brand values,” the spokesperson told <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/113904932/arnotts-comes-under-fire-for-body-shaming-biscuit-advertisement-published-in-2006?fbclid=IwAR0t3oMgu7ujztXRpOzLazifyAOeshbDWt6ZTfauAqMSRNrJPvaKTbCXQVE" target="_blank">stuff.co.nz</a> in a statement. “While this advertisement was printed in 2005, it should not have run in the first place and we apologise for any offence caused. “Arnott’s is committed to conducting business in a manner that is respectful and inclusive of everyone.”

Body

Woman's head swells to incredible size after severe allergic reaction to hair dye

After attempting an at-home hair dye job, one French student was left with an extreme allergic reaction that made her head grow nearly twice its size, almost killing her. Estelle, 19, says before using the product, she conducted a patch test as recommended but only left the product on for 30 minutes instead of the full 48 hours. The dye contained a chemical PPD (paraphenylenediamine) which is an ingredient that is commonly found in many dyes. But despite the ingredient being mainstream, a reaction to the substance can be life-threatening, as it could cause renal failure, rapid swelling, respiratory failure and kidney damage. PPD is also commonly found in henna tattoos and dark-coloured beauty products. Speaking to <a rel="noopener" href="http://www.leparisien.fr/societe/sante/defiguree-apres-une-coloration-pour-cheveux-estelle-19-ans-a-frole-la-mort-27-11-2018-7955175.php" target="_blank">Le Parisien</a>, Estelle said she noticed something was wrong almost immediately as her scalp felt irritated and started to swell. After taking a few antihistamines she didn’t see improvement, as the next day her head measured a whopping 24.8 inches instead of the average 22 inches. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HgiajBHmhFc" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> “I could not breathe. I had a lightbulb head,” she said. She was then rushed to the emergency room after other areas of her body such as her tongue began to expand in size. Staff injected adrenaline and forced her to stay the night as her condition worsened by the hour. Since then, Estelle has fully recovered, but is sharing her story to advise others to be careful when using hair dyes at home. PPD is a chemical found in many hair dyes, especially shades that are on the darker spectrum. The law states that only 2 per cent of PPD can be used in hair dyes and the product Estelle used contained 1 per cent. Maybe this is a sign for us to rock grey hair? Will you still dye your hair after reading this cautionary tale? Let us know in the comments below.

Body

Customers slam Kmart’s “crazy” clothing sizes

Unlike the US and the UK, Australia does not have a sizing standard for clothes. As a result, it’s not uncommon to be a size 12 in one store and a size 16 in another. However, Kmart is being criticised for its “ridiculous” sizing that’s seen women who typically wear a size 10 be forced to purchase a size 20 item of clothing – so imagine what it’s like for women beyond the “standard” size eight to 16. Kmart claims to cater for women of all sizes (up to 26), but many are complaining that its standards for size, style and fit are skewed. Kirra Lee, a member of the popular Kmart Mums Australia Facebook group, shared a photo of herself wearing an $8 black and white skirt purchased from her local store. <img width="500" height="769" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7816531/untitled-1_500x769.jpg" alt="Untitled -1 (3)" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/> “Bought my first size 18 skirt today,” she captioned the image. “F*** you Kmart for your ridiculous sizing.” Kirra’s post attracted hundreds of comments from fellow shoppers who also complained that the discount retailer’s sizing was incredibly inaccurate. “I know how you feel,” another woman wrote. “I’m a size 12 usually but had to buy size 16 in their pants. Crazy sizing.” One commenter said she’s usually a size 6-8 but had to go up to a size 16 for a dress from Kmart. “I am a size 14 MAX around my waist and legit was in tears because I had to buy a size 18 bikini bottoms,” another shopper commented. “I was not a happy camper.” Several women said they were left in tears after “sitting in the change room watching the size go up and up and up”. “I usually wear a size 16 the other day I had to buy a top sized 26. 26!” another added. “Made me feel awful.” One shopper shared a photo of two pairs of Kmart jeans, one size 12 and one size 14, showing just how little difference there was between the two. <img width="499" height="375" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7816530/untitled-1_499x375.jpg" alt="Untitled -1 (2)" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/> The Australian Standard Size Coding Scheme for women’s clothing was scrapped in 2008, leaving it up to individual retailers to set their own sizing scales based on sales data from their stores. “Brands profile their target markets and determine their size ranges from that,” Australian Design Alliance CEO Jo-Ann Kellock told <a href="http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/fashion/fashion-trends/what-is-going-on-with-kmarts-crazy-sizing-for-clothes/news-story/3f6c3b1de7dd012e2c880f7f3d87687a" target="_blank">news.com.au</a>. “They look at who they want to sell to, the position they want to place themselves in the market and the price point. “Is it a luxury brand, is it what we call ‘fashion forward’, or ‘fashion basic’? Then they’ll look at that woman’s age, body characteristics, her shape and size, to determine the shape and size of the clothing range. “All of those things come into the mix when brands are profiling their customer.” Tell us in the comments below, have you had any trouble finding the right size at Kmart?

Beauty & Style

Rollercoasters pushing the limits of size (and safety)

Universal's Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey has tormented many big and tall riders who discover at the last moment that their journey aboard the new attraction is forbidden because they don't fit in the "enchanted benches." The uncomfortable scene is a familiar one to anybody who has ever visited a theme park: The overweight rider becomes increasingly embarrassed as the ride attendant pushes and shoves with all his might on the over-the-shoulder restraint that stubbornly refuses to click closed. Everybody waiting in line knows what comes next: the walk of shame. "The walk of shame is an embarrassing experience," said Mike Galvan, who penned the Big Boy's Guide to Roller Coasters. "I've been there many times. It's disheartening." Galvan likens the straight back and flat seat on Forbidden Journey to an "old wooden chair" that provides little wiggle room for larger riders. "When the over-the-shoulder restraint comes down, if part of you is hanging over, whether it be your gut, your thighs or your shoulders, you're going to be very uncomfortable," Galvan said. While there are no height or weight maximums for Forbidden Journey, the safety restraints must be able to close properly in order for guests to ride, Universal officials said. Like many theme park attractions, Forbidden Journey has a tester seat near the entrance for visitors who might be worried they won't fit on the ride. But as big and tall riders will tell you, those tester seats often can be misleading. "I do not trust the accuracy of the test seats, no matter the park," Galvan said. "I can only suspect that the seat belts on the test seats are intentionally short to minimise the potential of riders getting the 'walk of shame' at the station. I've also had the opposite happen, where I made the test seats but was rejected from the actual ride." Galvan, 31, is a regular contributor to SFGAmWorld, a fan site for Six Flags Great America outside Chicago. In 2007, he was so overweight that he stopped going to theme parks because he no longer could fit on the rides. Over the next three years, he lost more than 59kg so he could return to his passion: roller coasters. Anybody who has ever been kicked off a ride because he or she was too big will tell you that theme park attractions are not designed for people who are heavier or taller than average. All theme parks have euphemistic names for "exceptional sized riders" or "guests of larger size" — those who are too fat or too tall to fit safely in an attraction seat. Some ride-makers even try to make accommodations with "big boy seats." How big is too big? Cedar Fair, the parent company of Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, California, and 10 other amusement parks, offers very specific size requirements for "guests of larger size." Cedar Fair warns that men over 1.9m or 102kg with a 40-inch waistline or 52-inch chest "may not be accommodated on some of our rides." The park operator says women over 91kg who wear a size 18 or larger could have trouble fitting on some rides. At Ohio's Cedar Point, some coasters such as Millennium Force, Top Thrill Dragster and GateKeeper have a 2m height maximum. Ohio's Kings Island institutes height maximums for a number of rides, including Firehawk (1.9m), Invertigo (2m) and Delirium (1.9m). Tennessee's Dollywood has 2m height maximums on a number of rides, including the Wild Eagle wing coaster. The Green Lantern: First Flight at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, Calif., has a height maximum of 6 foot 5 inches. Busch Gardens Williamsburg in Virginia sets aside two rows of seats on the Alpengeist and Griffon coasters for riders with "chest measurements exceeding 52 inches." Splashin' Safari water park at Holiday World in Indiana uses a walk-on scale to ensure the maximum weight on the six-passenger Mammoth rafts doesn't exceed 476kg. Disney parks have no height or weight maximums on any attractions, according to officials. Disneyland famously replaced the 1964 boats on It's a Small World because the increasing waistlines of Americans were causing them to run aground — an assertion reported by MiceChat and vigorously denied by Disney officials. Theme park officials typically respond with prepared statements when asked about making accommodations for "riders with unique physical attributes" (such as this one from Six Flags): "We work closely with ride manufacturers to incorporate safety systems that are designed to accommodate people of average physical stature and body proportions. We require that all seatbelts, lap bars and shoulder harnesses be positioned and fastened properly. Due to the rider restraint system, guests of a larger size may not be accommodated on some rides." As has been well documented, Americans are getting fatter. The average weight for adult men has risen from 75kg in 1960 to 88kg pounds in 2012, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The average weight for women increased from 63kg to 75kg pounds during the same period. Addressing the issue is complicated for ridemakers in part because every rider carries weight differently — with problem areas ranging from the hips, waist and stomach to the chest and shoulders. For big riders, coaster rideability varies from park to park. One of the biggest concerns for larger riders is what Galvan calls the "seat belt lottery." "It's absolutely amazing how from one row to another, the length of the seat belt will vary," Galvan said. "The only reason I can think for this irregularity would be off-season maintenance. Some rides are more egregious than others in this department." Older coasters by Arrow Dynamics and Schwarzkopf tend to be the easiest to ride for larger riders, according to Galvan's Big Boy's Guide to Roller Coasters. Some Bolliger & Mabillard rides can be tight fits, while others offer rows with larger seats, Galvan said. Vekoma, Gerstlauer and Mack Rides typically present few problems, while Premier and Intamin often prove difficult for bigger riders, he said. Intamin's suspended launch coasters such as Wicked Twister at Cedar Point and Volcano at Virginia's Kings Dominion cause the most problems for big riders, Galvan said. "The issue with these rides is the seat belt and the lack of an audible 'click' when pulling the restraint down," Galvan said. "Not to mention that you have the seat several feet off the ground, so you have to tippy toe or jump up to get into the seat. Depending on your body dimensions, you might not be able to maneuver yourself to get into the seat properly." There are no industry standards among ridemakers and amusement parks when it comes to accommodating bigger riders. Some parks require two locking clicks to secure a lap bar or over-the-shoulder restraint on a ride, while others insist on three clicks. Seat belt lengths can vary from ride to ride and row to row. "Most manufacturers, if not all, hoping to do business in the US are now offering optional 'jumbo' seats to buyers to fit larger adults," said Bob Dean of Florida-based Leisure Labs, which represents Mack Rides, Great Coasters International and Mondial. Matter of safety Parks cite safety concerns whenever a large rider is prohibited from a ride. In recent years, there have been several high-profile accidents involving larger riders being thrown from a theme park ride A man who weighed more than 136kg was seriously injured in 1999 when he was ejected from the Superman coaster at the now-defunct Six Flags Darien Lake. Six Flags argued that the man was too large for the ride's lap bar restraint to engage. Investigators said the rider's weight was a contributing factor in the death of a 132kg woman who fell out of the Perilous Plunge water ride at Knott's Berry Farm in 2001. In 2004, a 1.6m, 104kg man fell to his death from the Superman roller coaster at Six Flags New England. A state report found the overweight man's girth prevented a T-bar restraint from fitting firmly. What are your views on this topic? Share in the comments below. Written by Brady Macdonald. First appeared on <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/" target="_blank">Stuff.co.nz.</a>

International Travel

This is the perfect size TV

Etiquette expert William Hansen told the Daily Mail he thinks large TVs should be “one of the twelve things you should never own”. But Gill Myers, once a cynic of large TVs, recently made the decision to upgrade to a 60-inch and says she loves it. And her son Sam Mac agrees. “It’s an absolute game changer.” “The size of the TV means you can sit anywhere in the lounge and dining room and the image on the TV will always be clear and visible. When it comes to gaming, the atmosphere becomes very real and it almost feels like you are sitting in the venue where the game is taking place.” He says having a big screen in the house can actually be very social. “When the footy is on and all your mates know you have a big screen, they all tend to invite themselves round for a shared visual experience. It’s fantastic as it means you don’t have to leave the house on a cold winter night.” Although Myers may be the exception to the gender stereotype that dictates males are more hung up on the size of TVs than females, she agrees the stereotype exists. “It’s definitely a gender thing. Prior to buying my new TV I asked a number of men what they thought of the 60-inch and they all said ‘definitely go for it’. My women friends were less enthusiastic, and even now they come into the lounge and make statements such as ‘oh my gosh that TV is huge’ or ‘what made you buy a TV that big?’” Interior designer Sandra Aiken of D for Design, believes TVs have become part of daily routine. “It’s the reality now that everyone has a TV, and ‘bigger is better’ seems to be the trend.” The designer says a big TV is like a status symbol. “It’s almost as though people are saying, ‘look how big my one is’.” Although Aiken agrees TVs are a source of entertainment and relaxation, she has a problem with big TVs when they become the focal point of a room. “It’s a bit of an eyesore when it takes over the whole room and it seems as though it is almost more important than socialising with friends.” Calling a TV a “black void”, Aiken recommends providing a little visual balance. “It needs to become part of the decor, either by placing it among other photos and wall decorations, hiding it behind a sliding wall, or placing it within a bookcase.” But ultimately it seems as though big TVs are here to stay, so how do you decide what size you should get for your room? Online guides suggest the perfect size for your flat screen TV depends not on the room but on how far away you are seated. There is a simple equation: Viewing distance (in inches) divided by three equals recommended TV size. For example, if you’re usually sitting three metres from the TV, that’s 120 inches. Divide 120 by 3 and the recommended screen size for you is 40 inches (remember, that’s the diagonal measurement of the screen). Do you own a big TV? Do you think it’s possible to have one that’s simply too big? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below. Written by Bea Taylor. First appeared on <a href="http://Stuff.co.nz" target="_blank">Stuff.co.nz.</a> Related links: <a href="/entertainment/tv/2016/08/best-tv-shows-according-to-the-queen/">The Queen’s favourite TV shows revealed</a> <a href="/entertainment/tv/2016/08/should-couples-have-a-tv-in-the-bedroom/">Should couples have a TV in the bedroom?</a> <a href="/entertainment/tv/2016/07/how-to-avoid-tv-shopping-traps/">How to avoid TV shopping traps</a>

A plus-size guide to swimwear

Summer brings with it so many delights: mangoes, festivals, my birthday and long evenings of slow sunsets. However, the rising mercury heralds a minefield of distress for many a larger lass. Trips to the beach can yield anxiety and judgment, summer fashions don't always come above a 14, and Christmas brings tactless relatives asking if you really need that second helping. So, as we count down to December, my festive contribution to my plus size pals is a little something I like to call: A Fat Lady's Guide to Summer. First up? The Beach. As sweaty season approaches, the mags lining news-stands will start giving me super helpful advice on how to get a “bikini body”, my news feed will boast ads for fake tan and weight loss programs, and my friends will share well-meaning body positive memes. While I agree with said memes in principle, enjoying the beach as a fat woman isn't actually that simple. Swimming is one of my favourite activities, alongside dancing, eating and talking. But the beach is a fraught place, where I risk judgment and discomfort. It begins with the endless search for swimwear that fits and ends with sand in uncomfortable places. As a teenager, I remember working myself into a frenzy of worry – I so desperately wanted to go along to the beach with my friends but my pale and bumpy body looked nothing like theirs and I was sure they would be secretly amused or appalled. These days, I refuse to let those fears stop me getting my ocean on and neither should you. Last summer was all about the #fatkini, and shops like City Chic and Swimsuits for All have an array of gorgeous cossies. In principle, the fatkini, is a bikini on a fat person, but based on Instagram selfies and this very attractive listicle, they tend to be high waisted and glam. As my friend Kate said, "I love '50s bikinis because they look great with curves". Alas, I am pale as a ghost and I like hurling my body into the biggest waves I can find, so a glamorous, skimpy halter-neck will leave me sunburned and at risk of public exposure. Most days, I pair high waisted bikini pants with a well-structured, unsexy swim bra and a rashie. After years of struggling with ill-fitting underwire, weird moulded cups and those awkward boob shelves they love to put in one pieces, this single purchase has made swimming with my rather large knockers a delight. If I want to feel a bit more feminine, I pop the swim bra on under a patterned one-piece and glam up with accessories. As writer, Nicole, suggests, "Rather than trying to camouflage anything, I just do some super-duper flamboyant beach get-up. Giant hat, Hollywood shades, 50s bikini, sheer kaftan. No negative reactions, just people giving that 'you look fabulous' nod." Sometimes I just don't feel confident enough to prance about half naked, and on those days I'm all about my sarong and my swim hoodie, pictured below. There's no right or wrong way to be in your body and, in the end, the sexiest and happiest I ever feel is when I am comfortable. Once equipped with swimwear options and a truckload of sunblock, trips to the beach are as much about companionship as they are logistics. Despite being a body-positive opinionated feminist, I still have hang-ups, so I choose to spend beach times with people who share my attitude to size. I find listening to other women discussing their “flaws” or weight loss plans pretty distressing at the best of times. If I am pushing aside my awkwardness to sploosh about in the shallows, I want to do it with likeminded folk. And what about those bikini body programmes? Let's be honest. No woman who is actually fat is going to look like a conventional bikini wearer in eight short weeks. Those programmes are for thin women who would like to be a tiny bit thinner and that is fine for them, but engaging with it is just going to make you miserable. Don't read bikini body manifestos, don't look up thigh gaps and bikini bridges on Instagram (unless it's for a good perve), start following plus size bloggers, and, lord, don't read ANYTHING that tells you what to wear by comparing your body shape to a piece of fruit. You are not an apple or a pear (or a mango for that matter); you are a person. And in summer, fruit's sole purpose is clearly to be in cocktails. What’s your go-to beach outfit these days? Let us know in the comments below. Written by Maeve Marsden. First appeared on <a href="http://Stuff.co.nz" target="_blank">Stuff.co.nz.</a> Related links: <a href="/lifestyle/beauty-style/2016/08/how-to-layer-without-looking-bulky/">How to layer without looking bulky</a> <a href="/lifestyle/beauty-style/2016/08/how-to-dress-up-a-jumper/">How to dress up a jumper</a> <a href="/lifestyle/beauty-style/2016/07/return-of-vintage-clothing/">The return of vintage clothing</a>

Beauty & Style

Outrage as shoppers charged premium for larger sizes

Shopping online is undeniably convenient, especially if you don’t want to face the instore crowds, but the catch is you have to remain vigilant and wary. One UK shopper found this out the the hard way this week. Twitter user @BeckyBedbug was about to purchase a dress from online retailer ASOS, when she checked her cart and noticed something didn’t quite add up. Double checking the statement, Becky realised that she had been charged an additional $15 by the retailer, just for ordering a plus size dress. Becky wasn’t having any of it, and immediately took to Twitter to express her fury. <img width="498" height="425" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/24669/twitter_498x425.jpg" alt="Twitter (2)" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/> The response has been mixed, with some users pointing out more material is required for bigger sizes, but others arguing smaller sizes should be cheaper. ASOS did respond to Becky’s Tweet, but noted that because they did not manufacture the dress in question they had no sway in the individual charges. What’s your take on the situation? Do you think Becky is right to complain about being charged more for a bigger dress? Or are the retailers in the right? Share your thoughts in the comments below. Related links: <a href="/entertainment/technology/2014/06/how-to-be-safe-online/">How to be safe online</a> <a href="/entertainment/tv/2016/07/how-to-avoid-tv-shopping-traps/">How to avoid TV shopping traps</a> <a href="/entertainment/technology/2015/04/online-scams/">Online scams you need to know about</a>

News

Aussie’s full-size Noah’s Ark replica ready to set sail

Earlier this year we told you a Dutch contractor had <a href="/news/news/2016/04/noahs-ark-replica-set-to-hit-high-seas/">built a full size replica</a> of Noah’s Ark, the famous boat from the Bible’s Book of Genesis. Well, if this story is anything to go by it looks as though he’s not the only person on the lookout for two of every animal. Kent Ham, an Australian-born religious leader in the US has created another full-size replica of Noah’s Ark, intending to open it as an attraction to visitors. Ham left his job as a science teacher in Brisbane over three years ago, moving to the US and eventually going on to become the founder of Answers In Genesis organisation and one of the more polarising figures in America’s notorious Bible Belt. Ham’s controversial views have somewhat overshadowed the construction of the replica, which as you can see in the video above represents quite an architectural feat. Local atheist group Tri-State Freethinkers is reportedly planning a protest against Ham’s Ark Encounter experience as it’s set to open on Thursday. Freethinkers’ founder and president, Jim G Helton, told <a href="/news.com.au" target="_blank">News.com.au</a>, “We’re not saying he can’t build his park. But we don’t think it’s appropriate for a family fun day.” What’s your take on the story? Do you think it’s appropriate for Ham to open this part as a family holiday park? Share your thoughts in the comments. Video credit: YouTube / ABC News Related links: <a href="/travel/cruising/2016/06/just-how-much-does-each-day-on-a-cruise-cost/">Just how much does each day on a cruise cost</a> <a href="/travel/cruising/2016/07/5-secret-confessions-from-cruise-ship-employees/">5 secret confessions from cruise ship employees</a> <a href="/travel/cruising/2016/07/8-reasons-why-cruising-is-the-perfect-family-holiday/">8 reasons why cruising is the perfect family holiday</a>

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Aussie’s full-size Noah’s Ark replica ready to set sail