MEDIA
The Earth is made up of many people with different forms of beliefs. People all around the world are not only concerned about their religion and culture, but also about their body image. In places less advanced in technology and that have more poverty, this might not be as big as a problem, because there are other major issues to be worried about. However, people’s concerns with their body image are increasing due to comparison of the media’s image of a perfect man or woman. The image that media puts out sometimes is more of a challenge to accomplish because people with body image issues like obesity cannot get that image. Media advertises beauty, physical attractiveness, appearance and product appeal. Thin, appealing, beautiful men and women are chosen as models and are considered to be role models for the people. However, these role models tend to set out a negative body image. People become dissatisfied with their image, since these role models are advertising beauty and thinness that for some is impossible to be like.
BODY IMAGE CAUSES DISORDERS
In the past, there have been studies and experiments made that prove that thin models do have a negative impact on the way that people view their body image. “In 25 different studies approximately 2,300 women who were given images of thin models, confirmed that this impacted them negatively, bringing dissatisfaction to their body image.” People’s reaction to negative body image starts with dissatisfaction of their personal body image. Once people get discouraged about their body image they tend to seek methods to lose weight. Methods that are used to lose weight are most of the time very unhealthy since it may cause anemic disorders. “For example an anorexic patient may not perceive their body size accurately, most likely viewing him or herself as grossly overweight when in reality they are underweight.” Since people believe there is something wrong with their image, it causes disorders in their mind.
NEGATIVE ROLE MODELS
Along with the symptoms of negative body image it also causes depression, which lowers self-esteem. If a person loses self-esteem, it makes things worse, since the person no longer has the same motivation to make a good impression. Once this happens, a person loses their ability to feel good about themselves and is not really capable to change themselves. All the things that happen because of negative body image are mainly influenced by the people who are said to be role models to others. Instead of people having other people they don’t really know be their role model, they should focus on themselves. Thin models and media advertisement is not always real, because it is enhanced to be able to make a profit. So don’t believe that everything that you see on the television is real, because it is not always real.
http://www.annecollins.com/weight_health/body-image.htm
http://www.disordered-eating.co.uk/causes-of-eating-disorders/negative-body-image.html
