The Internet is riddled with ads, articles, and sites devoted to creating, and sculpting, the new and lovable you. Newsstands have become veritable mirrors to perfection—all touted with tag lines like “Lose 10 pounds in 10 days” and “Become a better version of you.” You know, upgrade; think version 2.0. This, of course, is in response to the ever rising obesity rates in America. However, while the obesity epidemic tends to take center stage in modern day America, there is another rising trend waiting just off in the wings—eating disorders. And, in fact, as contrary as the two seem, they have more in common than one may initially think. In part one of this ongoing expose, I focused on body image and the role it plays in America's great weight debate. Part two explored the various eating disorders that plague our culture. This third feature will delve further into these disorders, disordered eating in general, and distorted body images among individuals and how they are impacted by nature (i.e. the media) versus nurture.
First and foremost, I think it is imperative to define what can be seen as "media influence"--as media comes in a wide variety of forms--and what can be defined as another type of influence, such as external and/or parental influence factors. Media, in this instance, encompasses all forms of print and video (such as magazines, television, movies, news reports, etc.). Music can also be categorized as media influence; however, for the purpose of this piece, I will be focusing solely on visual stimulation.
As I previously noted, it is no secret that the ideal body image (as portrayed at least) has become thinner and thinner over the last few decades. Sometime between Marilyn Monroe the new millennium, size 10 became unacceptable, for women that is, and size two was still one size too big. Curves began to be boycotted in favor of a semi-stick figure, and as the National Institute on Media and the Family noted in an article entitled "Media's Effect On Girls: Body Image And Gender Identity", children and pre-adolescents have become "increasingly aware of what...[these] societ[al] standards are for the 'ideal body.'" What's more is advertisers know this; they feed on our need to be "ideal." However, in a 2008 article by Healthy Place: America's Mental Health Channel, it was pointed out that this unnatural and often false focus "places undue pressure on women and men to focus on their appearance. [Moreover,] researchers suggest [that media and] advertising media may adversely impact women's body image, which can lead to unhealthy behavior as women and girls strive for the ultra-thin body idealized by the media." Ironically enough, many of the images used in advertising, or any print media for that matter, aren't even real; instead, they are doctored, reworked, Photoshopped perceptions of a type of beauty that doesn't even exist. More worrisome is that fact that, as Healthy Place: America's Mental Channel also noted, "[t]he average woman sees 400 to 600 [of these Photoshopped] advertisements per day, and by the time she is 17 years old, she has received over 250,000 commercial messages through the media. [And while] only 9% of commercials have a direct statement about beauty...many more implicitly emphasize the importance of beauty--particularly those that target women and girls."
So what are men, women, and children to do when they are inundated with an image, an ideal, that is nearly impossible to achieve? While one can try and be adverse to such influence; unfortunately, for many, that is easier said than done--especially at a young age. As I briefly mentioned earlier, the body image ideal can be, and is, influenced by both nature and nurture (i.e. the way one is raised). So, of course, one could see the potential benefit from being raised in a positive, supportive, and loving environment; yet, one's upbringing can also be detrimental. For example, while a parent and/or role model may preach self love and truly try to instill these believes in their children, if they are standing in a mirror grabbing their gut, tugging on sagging skin, or berating their butt, their message is lost in the mirror--as reflection is far more powerful than a simple statement. Therefore, as long as women, and men in several instances, are sexualized and objectified, is it possible for anyone to truly accept and love themselves? Isn't everyone always trying to loose weight, even if it is only five pounds, increase their cup size, or define their six pack abs? With such staggering statistics, how can we stop the madness when, in the eyes of many marketers, sex sells--whether it be a weight loss drug or a half pound burger? And, moreover, how can we be happy with who we are if we are all looking into fun house mirrors?
For more stories in this series:
Bent on Body Image: Feeding on Eating Disorders
Bent on body image: America's obsession with the Great Weight Debate
For more info:
Media Awareness Network - Beauty and Body Image in the Media
Healthy Place - Eating Disorders: Body Image and Advertising
Media's Effect On Girls: Body Image And Gender Identity
Our Bodies, Ourselves Health Resource Center
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