WEIGHING IN ON BODY CONFIDENCE

You may have noticed something a little different about Friday this edition. (And no, I don’t mean that there are no pictures of features editor Anand Raj OK digging a car out of sand this week – but we can do more of that, if you liked it. I sure did.)

Of course I’m talking about the cover. Bit of a change there, and did we have fun doing it! (Nearly as much fun as Anand in the sand.)

We get a kick out of thinking of new ways to bring you stories, but at the end of the day, it’s got to be a great, informative, perhaps thought-provoking and hopefully lifechanging story. I think that’s exactly what Anand dug up (OK, I’ll stop) when he visited the new eating disorders unit in Dubai. The stories from there were alarming, but also carry a sense of hope that this issue can now be dealt with in time. Turn to page 32 to read why more men than ever, globally and in the UAE, are struggling with their body image.

Of course, it’s not just men who are facing this issue, and young people are probably the most susceptible to thinking their bodies aren’t good enough, and that how you look makes a difference in how good your life will be. I had an email this week from a young woman who was asking our experts how she could grow two inches, because she has been bullied about her height, and she thinks if she can be as tall as her family members, life will be better.

It really broke my heart because – full disclosure here – I am a short person, and I think it’s one of the best things in the world. Sure, I couldn’t be a flight attendant, I have to get things tailored, can’t see much at concerts and get elbowed in the face quite a lot, but I never let it get me down. It probably makes me louder than necessary. Beyond telling my fellow shortie to love her body, I can’t offer advice, but our experts on page 50 can and do every week. They are waiting for your queries.

There’s lots more for you to read in this edition, and choosing a favourite is like asking me to pick my favourite cheese, but our how-to-be-a-cowboy tale on page 36 is a likely candidate for story of the week. Dana Kerns’ life herding cattle across Wyoming on horseback is certainly not easy, but then again, neither is sitting for ages in Karama traffic. I’m not quite sure which one is tougher on the backside, but at least his views are better.

Now, a special request: we want to hear from you if you met your partner in the UAE. Yes, we love love stories, the soppier the better – as long as it’s from here. Email us on friday@gulfnews.com.