Bathroom Scales Bearing 'Pro-Anorexia' Slogan Cause Major Outrage

The scales read: 'Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels'

A set of weighing scales from retailer B&M Stores has caused mass outrage after a woman shared a photo of its "pro anorexia" slogan.

The scales, which read "nothing tastes as good as skinny feels", are on sale for £3.99 in stores across the UK.

After Rachel May Shevlin uploaded a photo of the product to Facebook and describing the bathroom scales as "horrible" and "triggering" for people with eating disorders, dozens of people called for the store to stop selling them.

A spokesperson for the retailer has since responded to the post, saying that they have asked their supplier to withdraw the "novelty weighing scales".

B&M Stores Would anyone like to join me in writing to b&m to tell them *how lovely to see the phrase I said to my...

Posted by Rachel May Shevlin on Thursday, March 24, 2016

On 24 March, Rachel May Shevlin shared a photograph of the scales on Facebook.

She called on others to join her in writing to B&M to complain about the product, which she said featured a phrase that she would often say to her younger self who was, at the time, battling an eating disorder.

Shelvin said the scales needed to be removed from shops so that "impressionable young minds" can be spared the same self-hatred she once felt.

Her post was shared more than 2,000 times and people were quick to express messages of outrage.

Janine Bailey wrote: "Great idea B&M, sell a set of scales with a well known pro-ana slogan."

While Phoebe Summers said she was "horrified" that the scales are being sold.

"As someone who refuses to allow scales in my house anymore, thanks to sentiments like the above ruining years of my life, this is probably the worst thing I could imagine," she added.

On 29 March, a spokesperson for B&M Stores responded to the Facebook post.

They said: "We have asked its supplier to withdraw this particular quotation from this range of novelty £3.99 weighing scales."

A spokesperson for eating disorders charity Beat said that "thoughtless" products like this can contribute to and prolong eating disorders.

They said: "Manufacturers and retailers should consider very carefully the messages they are conveying by producing and stocking such a product.

"Irresponsible marketing like this can contribute to and prolong an eating disorder which affects 725,000 men and women of all ages and backgrounds in the UK, costing the economy £15.8 billion every year.

"Young people struggling with an eating disorder are fighting a tough enough battle as it is without thoughtless retailing such as this which can make it even harder."

Useful websites and helplines:

Beat: call 0845 634 7650 or email fyp@b-eat.co.uk

Samaritans: open 24 hours a day, call 08457 90 90 90

Mind: open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm, call 0300 123 3393

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