KIIS FM host Jackie O criticised by experts after revealing on air how she lost weight
BREAKFAST radio host Jackie “O” Henderson has copped a super-size serve from nutritionists and body image experts who warned of the damaging example set for young fans after she boasted about her weight loss and “starvation” diet to co-host Kyle Sandilands — now she has backflipped.
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RADIO host Jackie O Henderson has defended herself from criticism over the “starvation diet” she boasted helped her lose 10kg.
The KIIS FM host revealed yesterday that she does not eat until midday, even though her day begins at 5am.
“Then (I have) an avocado,” she said.
“A whole one every day for lunch. (For dinner) I have something like … chicken breast and a couple of vegies.”
Nutritionists and body image experts were outraged that the popular radio host broadcast this dangerous diet to her fans.
Henderson this morning said she did not want people starving themselves to lose weight.
“On the days I eat less, I feel better about myself and I feel healthier,” she said,
“When I do eat an avocado for lunch it makes me feel good. I am not starving myself by any means.
“I would never ever endorse that. I don’t want anyone out there to starve themselves to lose weight.”
Henderson went on to explain she did not religiously stick to the diet she spruiked on air.
“What I should have clarified is that while I am doing that on some days. I don’t eat that every single day,” she said.
“If we want pizza I will have that, if we want to go out for a Pho I will eat that.
“If I wake up and I am hungry I will have toast. I do not stick to that religiously.”
Henderson copped a super-size serve from nutritionists and body image experts yesterday who warned of the damaging example set for young fans after the 43-year-old boasted about her 10kg weight loss and “starvation” diet to co-host Kyle Sandilands on air.
During the show, Henderson revealed her very low-calorie daily intake — which begins at 5am with nothing. Henderson said her first food comes at about noon.
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Henderson has been on a public weight-loss campaign after claiming on air her doctor had diagnosed her “borderline obese”. She has since lost 10kg.
But eating disorder and body image charity The Butterfly Foundation ambassador Mia Findlay warned the diet was not enough to sustain her and Henderson’s young fan base might be influenced to take up unhealthy habits.
“I am fairly concerned about the demographic of listeners that heard that. Her lack of awareness is very worrying,” Ms Findlay said. “Most would classify that as a starvation diet.
“People need to remember because she has power and a large audience, that does not make you knowledgeable,” she said.
“It is too simple to say that her discourse causes eating disorders but it definitely enables them.
“It encourages eating disorders, it reinforces bad eating habits. It is normalising a way of eating which is not normal. “It is not healthy and not sustainable.”
Nutritionist Amanda Harasym said there were potentially dangerous long-term impacts on the body for anybody who followed a similar diet.
“No nutritionist or health professional would say this is a sufficient diet,” she said. “If this person is a role model to young people then that is a terrible role model.
“Young people are very vulnerable. If she has a young following they will be following what she is doing.”
A spokeswoman for Food and Nutrition Australia — the peak dietitians’ body — said Henderson’s diet did not meet basic daily needs.
“That is not enough food and not enough variety,” she said.
“Eating this type of diet can lead to brittle bones, lack of muscle growth lowered metabolism among many other issues.”
She said nobody should follow such a diet.
While co-host Sandilands has been supportive about his friend and long-term colleague’s health kick, he did not sound impressed by the mother-of-one’s admissions yesterday.
“What a sad life,” he said.
However, Henderson was quick to shut him down. “I actually enjoy it,” she responded.