Body Image from an Early Age: A Problem and Its Potential Answer

There is a growing trend in body image disorders  and a tension around the subject. Each year reports statistics of lower age groups feeling the weight of these problems, too. According to doctors Askos and Levitt, 

“Students in middle school, in the midst of puberty, begin to establish an individual identity outside the family unit (Berk, 1999). Vast arrays of personal and con-textual changes occur simultaneously (Berk; Eccles,Lord, Roeser, Barber, & Jozefowicz, 1997). Part of personal and social development in middle school is the development and continued evolution of one’s body image.” (Askos & Levitt, 2002)

In a different study by Askos & Levitt, half of girls and a third of boys wanted thinner, different bodies. And it's easy to see where these ideas are coming from: everywhere. A child's toy tells it that it needs to have incredible muscles (G.I. Joe) or Barbie's impossible image. Media, whether through movies, pictures, or television, bombards children with thousands of images a day. So, with body image being a target even from a young age, it would make sense to post a solution at that age as well. 

Education and knowledge about body image and the encouragement for healthy diet and exercise are the best solutions because they show the person what a good, healthy body is and how the media can portray humans wrongly. Parents can help their children too by keeping healthy snacks and being mindful of the habits in place. Also, parents should avoid negative criticism of anyone (even themselves) as children will hear and value strongly those opinions on body image. In an article by Psychotherapist Abigail Natenshon, she advises parents against negative criticism of themselves and others.

“The vulnerable child is quick to take in and personalize what are otherwise meant to be benign “throw away” comments. Harmful messages get transmitted to children unintentionally, and may result in body image disturbances.” (Natenshon, 2006)

Though there aren't many programs so far in the US, the Central YMCA in the United Kingdom is engaging in the process of passing a bill that would help institute the first body-image education courses for ages 11-14. A link to their website here: http://www.ymca.co.uk/bodyimage/

Eating Disorders and Muscle Dysmorphia

Eating disorders are an epidemic sweeping the United States and countries all around the world. Because of the increase of media in the average persons life, eating disorders have become more prevalent than ever in todays day in age. 

Eating disorders are developed at an early on due to exposure to the media at such a young age. According to the National Institute of National Health 53% of 13 year old girls are "unhappy with their bodies", this grows to 78% by the age of 17. These children grow up seeing the example of a "perfect body", this along with a low self esteem which is common during puberty and adolescence leads to severe cases of eating disorders. 

The two major eating disorders are bulimia nervosa which is “A serious eating disorder that occurs chiefly in females, is characterized by compulsive overeating usually followed by self-induced vomiting or laxative or diuretic abuse, and is often accompanied by guilt and depression” (Merriam-Webster). The second major eating disorder being anorexia nervosa “A serious eating disorder primarily of young women in their teens and early twenties that is characterized especially by a pathological fear of weight gain leading to faulty eating patterns, malnutrition, and usually excessive weight loss” (Merriam-Webster). These two eating disorders occur in not only women, but children and men as well.

A very common disorder found in men is muscle dysmorphia. Muscle dysmorphia is defined as “A disorder in which a person becomes obsessed with the idea they are not muscular enough. Those who suffer from muscle dysmorphia tend to hold delusions that they are "skinny" or "too small" but are often above average in musculature.”. This is also a new disorder that has spiked over the last few years. It is largely attributed to corporate America's display of men in the media today. If you were to pick up a copy of any magazine you are bound to see some sort of advertisement with a muscular man which is what people with muscle dysmorphia aim to look like. It is also due to the increase in muscle gaining formula's and workout supplements that are advertised today. To learn more watch this video below.

Does Photoshop Truly Effect Your Self-Esteem?

In today’s society women are faced with the standards that are produced and Photoshop edited by the media. Now day’s women will view up to 5,000 different beauty ads per day. Photoshop has edited almost every magazine ad that is targeted towards women, whether it is brightening teeth or cutting off ten pounds. Therefore our perception of beauty is distorted. The “It Look” consists of big eyes, full lips, long neck, and no blemishes. But when is enough Photoshop, enough?

Today’s celebrities most likely have a Photoshop editor that edits every picture taken of their client before it is released to the magazine for publishing

There have been suggestions on YouTube videos suggest that magazines should put a warning on ads that have been Photo shopped. For example back in the day there use to not be warnings of cigarettes to allow the customer to know the risk in using tobacco. The warning allowed the consumer to know the risk they were taking when they used that product but it never decreased the sales in tobacco.

I believe that if we would put warning in magazines that the photo has been edited then it will allow women peace of mind due to the pictures being fake, but I do not think that the magazine companies would loose their sales. Photo shopped pictures will lead girls to do unbearable risks to make their bodies look fake. 

In this YouTube video they go through the steps of Photoshop and talk about how it affects the public and how Photoshop is growing in the media. It also backs up my solution on how to help with the public to not feel insecure about themselves, which could lead to depression, eating disorders, or plastic surgery. 

Barbie and Ken. The Negative Influences on Children

Barbie and Ken are a big influence on kids today. Every child grows up with a Barbie or Ken doll and everyone has played with these dolls. The real life Barbie and Ken influence kids in another way though. These are two people that have had plastic surgery to make themselves look like the actual Barbie and Ken dolls. This can influence kids in many ways. The real life Barbie already has many followers that have had many plastic surgeries to look like her. The fame of looking like Barbie and Ken has gone to their heads. They have become slightly insane on this route to fame. Barbie talks about how she meditates and leaves her body to travel the universe, and they both say they are from different planets. Barbie says this is her day:           "In the morning I work on my face and I get a massage, then I spend some time on the Internet," Lukyanova told V magazine. "I meditate and travel in my astral body, and after that I work out at the gym. I go for a walk with my best girlfriend, I get home, and I make dinner for the man I love. Then I spend some more time on the Internet, do some reading and meditating, and go to bed." Another bad way that this can influence kids nowadays is that what they are doing is extremely unhealthy. Barbie lives on a strict liquid-only diet and wants to live on only water, and Ken has had over 90 plastic surgeries.

 

Plastic Surgery: A Necessity?

Every day, hundreds of people are being influenced by the media.  Most of these influences come directly from celebrities and what they are doing to their bodies.  Plastic surgery is something that is becoming increasingly common not only among the rich and famous, but also among those of us who are seemingly normal.  

Plastic surgery is defined as surgery that is done to repair, restore, or improve lost, or misshapen body parts.  Because celebrities are taking for granted what this surgery has to offer, it is making an impact on young girls all across the world.  Just recently, a young girl from Connecticut felt that plastic surgery would fix problems caused by bullying that had happened at school.  It is stories such as these that have doctors across the globe questioning whether there should be more restrictions on the surgery as well as how the media is portraying the actors and actresses who go under the knife.  

Heidi Montag, from the hit reality show "The Hills," had her first plastic surgery while she was still a star on the show.  Her reasoning behind it all?  She simply did not have one.  Montag said she just wanted to "look and feel different" even though there was nothing wrong with the body she already had.  Months later, Montag underwent a couple more surgeries, bringing a new meaning to the Mean Girls phrase "plastic."

Heidi Montag after multiple surgeries.

We have all had that time in our life when we felt as if we were the outcast.  Women are concerned with being skinny instead of healthy, while men are concerned with being buff instead of lean.  But is plastic surgery really the answer?  There are so many critical side effects associated that many people often look over or don't realize that they could become a reality.  For example, most people don't know that blood clots and paralysis are side effects to undergoing this type of surgery.  One side effect people are aware of, however, is imperfect results.  Did you know that your chances of having perfect plastic surgery results if you are a smoker are extremely low?  Due to the fact that your oxygen levels in your blood are not where they should be, the injections and implants often do not stay in place.  The Lion Lady, for example, was a heavy smoker and she is one of the most well known people who have had a bad plastic surgery experience.  

The Lion Lady

There are many people who choose to have plastic surgery for health reasons.  A teenage girl may have a breast reduction so that she doesn't have to deal with back pain anymore.  However, there is no reason for someone, especially someone as young as 14, to have to deal with all of the negative side effects that come along with plastic surgery.  A small solution to this problem that has the potential to go a long way is implementing a class into the Health and Physical Education requirements of schooling.  Because these classes last for at least a semester, it would be possible to take one week out of the twelve to discuss the media and its influence, as well as eating disorders and plastic surgery.  This could start in middle school and go all the way through high school so that teenagers are aware of the risks that go along with these factors.  Would it not be worth it?  If it changes the mind of one child who thinks they have to look like Barbie or Ken, then it's worth it. 

Real Life Barbie and Ken.