Lifestyle guru

Lifestyle gurus (also called lifestyle coaches, lifestyle trainers, lifestyle consultants) advise people how they can make themselves happier through changes in their lifestyle. Lifestyle gurus are a profession popularised by several celebrities, including Cherie Blair and Madonna in the 1990s and 2000s.[1]

Prominent examples of lifestyle gurus include Carole Caplin, who worked as a lifestyle guru for the Blair family.[2]

Lifestyle gurus have come under heavy criticism in recent years, with most criticisms concerning their utility.[2] Other criticisms have centred on the perception that they are a symptom of the indecisiveness of today's society.[3]

Frank Furedi, a professor of sociology at the University of Kent, has been a prominent critic of lifestyle gurus.[4] Lifestyle gurus have received criticism for preaching unscientific ideas and thus influencing public opinion.[1] One example was Andrew Lansley criticising Jamie Oliver for interfering too much in what British children eat, ultimately undermining efforts to persuade children to eat healthily.[5]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Randerson, James (2007-01-03). "Neutralise radiation and stay off milk: the truth about celebrity health claims". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 2014-09-29. Retrieved 2016-05-13.
  2. 1 2 Womack, Sarah; Petre, Jonathan (2005-10-28). "How the cult of the guru puts gullible nation under its spell". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 2006-02-11. Retrieved 2016-05-13.
  3. ↑ Knight, India (2005-10-30). "Tone it down, gurus". The Sunday Times. Archived from the original on 2010-06-05. Retrieved 2016-05-13.
  4. ↑ Furedi, Frank (2005-11-18). "The age of unreason". The Spectator. Archived from the original on 2016-05-13. Retrieved 2016-05-13.
  5. ↑ Triggle, Nick (2010-06-30). "Minister rejects 'Jamie Oliver approach' on health". BBC News. Archived from the original on 2010-07-15. Retrieved 2016-05-13.


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