Media's Effect on Body Image and Eating Disorders
Media’s Influence on Body Image and Eating Disorders
A study was recently done to determine how body image was viewed in society several years ago and how it is viewed in today’s society. When comparing the average model and the American woman, it is stated by Dr. Jonathon Rader, PhD, chief executive and clinical officer of Rader Programs that “twenty years ago, the average fashion model weighed 8% less than the average woman. Today, she weighs 23% less” (Rader). Twenty to thirty years ago, full figured women were accepted and also admired. Being voluptuous was a sign of wealth and beauty. Women were not obsessed with diet fads, or trying to look a certain way, but were more concerned with eating healthy and were comfortable with the natural body shape given to them by God. Since 1970, eating disorders have increased by 400% (Rader). What has happened since then to shift the emphasis from a healthy feeling of self worth to a need to fit the description of the standard set by the media?
The media realized that fit people sell products, and suddenly being stick thin has become the standard for being considered attractive. It has become more popular to have thin models in magazines and on TV commercials, and as time has passed it seems as if the models are getting thinner and more emaciated. Now, it is seen everywhere in our society, and there is no way to avoid it. False ideas about body image are portrayed everywhere, giving people distorted ideas about reality and causing several problems. To illustrate how much emphasis is constantly placed on appearance, an article found in the Eating Disorder Referral and Information Center states that “one out of every four television commercials send out some sort of message about attractiveness” (Body Image). Teenage girls are striving to look a way that is not even realistic and are taking drastic measures to reach their desired body weight. Unfortunately, when these teens realize they are not achieving it the way they
A study was recently done to determine how body image was viewed in society several years ago and how it is viewed in today’s society. When comparing the average model and the American woman, it is stated by Dr. Jonathon Rader, PhD, chief executive and clinical officer of Rader Programs that “twenty years ago, the average fashion model weighed 8% less than the average woman. Today, she weighs 23% less” (Rader). Twenty to thirty years ago, full figured women were accepted and also admired. Being voluptuous was a sign of wealth and beauty. Women were not obsessed with diet fads, or trying to look a certain way, but were more concerned with eating healthy and were comfortable with the natural body shape given to them by God. Since 1970, eating disorders have increased by 400% (Rader). What has happened since then to shift the emphasis from a healthy feeling of self worth to a need to fit the description of the standard set by the media?
The media realized that fit people sell products, and suddenly being stick thin has become the standard for being considered attractive. It has become more popular to have thin models in magazines and on TV commercials, and as time has passed it seems as if the models are getting thinner and more emaciated. Now, it is seen everywhere in our society, and there is no way to avoid it. False ideas about body image are portrayed everywhere, giving people distorted ideas about reality and causing several problems. To illustrate how much emphasis is constantly placed on appearance, an article found in the Eating Disorder Referral and Information Center states that “one out of every four television commercials send out some sort of message about attractiveness” (Body Image). Teenage girls are striving to look a way that is not even realistic and are taking drastic measures to reach their desired body weight. Unfortunately, when these teens realize they are not achieving it the way they