Scarlett Johansson addresses weight issues in blog

14 Apr 2009 

SCARLETT JOHANSSON has taken to the Internet to clarify speculation about her recent weight loss, urging tabloids to take greater care in reporting on body issues that could affect younger readers.
 
In a blog posted on the website Huffington Post, the actress refutes rumours she has embarked upon a punishing exercise regime and strict diet to shed pounds for her role as the Black Widow in the forthcoming Iron Man sequel.
 
Johansson insists she has simply been eating balanced meals and increasing her amount of physical activity to get in shape.
 
She writes: "Since dedicating myself to getting into 'superhero shape', several articles regarding my weight have been brought to my attention. Claims have been made that I've been on a strict workout routine regulated by co-stars, whipped into shape by trainers I've never met, eating sprouted grains I can't pronounce and ultimately losing 14 pounds off my 5'3" frame.
 
"I'm a petite person to begin with, so the idea of my losing this amount of weight is utter lunacy. If I were to lose 14 pounds, I'd have to part with both arms. And a foot. I'm frustrated with the irresponsibility of tabloid media who sell the public ideas about what we should look like and how we should get there."
 
And the 24-year-old fears the press' stories could trigger eating disorders in impressionable fans.
 
She adds: "...I would be absolutely mortified to discover that some 15-year-old girl in Kansas City read one of these 'articles' and decided she wasn't going to eat for a couple of weeks so she too could 'crash diet' and look like Scarlett Johansson...
 
"I'm not normally the type to dignify toilet paper rags with a response, but in this case I feel it's my responsibility to comment. In a way, I'm glad some dummy journalist (and I use the term 'journalist' loosely) is banking on my 'deflating' so that I can address the issue straight from my healthy heart."