Media Influence On Body Image
Medias Influence on Body Image
Media has become majority of the populations every day routine, it is easy to access because it is everywhere, television, magazines, newspapers, telemarketing, billboards, and the one of fastest growing source the Internet. In the hyper era of technology we are currently in, year by year it is easier to deliver effectively a message to another person. With these advancements comes not just communication of basic needs but also more and more advertising. Some of the messages the media carries may influence people in nearly every decision they make. Some may say that this is not necessarily true and that people have the will power to decide for themselves. And this may all depend on the point of view. Are you …show more content…
being influenced by Media? Perhaps you are, but may not be aware of the impact.
In today’s society people are better informed and knowledge on current event, thanks to the rapidly growing press and spreading of mass media here in the United States and throughout the world. Many points of view are being introduced every day leaving society a freedom to choose which is most valuable to them. Media could be of much influence on today’s society and youth as it tends to leave a great deal of impact on the individuals. In an article by Cloy C. Gonzales he describes media as “the most dominant art form” In society Media’s main role is to provide knowledge, entertainment and to inform the public on current events. Media can tell truths and provided positive information that can develop reputations and images in the correct way. But it also can be looked upon as a tribunal of justice. An example of the powerful messages that fill the media is politics. Politicians use media to build up their reputation and also possibly destroy their opponents. Media plays a major part in the everyday routine of many it has contributed in many ways that both enlighten and enrich society, but in other ways have deteriorated and bewildered it. Media uses vibrations and images to teach and leave a greater effect on the society. Many become victims of media's manipulation and can be influenced for the worse. In such cases as the increase of youth suffering from eating disorder and the growing levels of violence.
“Body Image is defined as the subjective concept of one's physical appearance based on self-observation and the reactions of others” (Neil, 2000, para.
7). Images of female bodies are everywhere. You are able to see it when you open a magazine and images of thin and popular woman are used to sell products. Popular film actresses, musicians and television actors are being casted younger, taller and thinner. Some of these popular entertainers have been reportedly know to faint constantly on the job (set) or on stage from lack of proper health management and food intake, for example over publicized entertainer and current pop sensation Lady Gaga fainted from lack of food intake while on tour in Melbourne Australia this past summer, she has been under much scrutiny for her recently launched unauthorized biography that claims she is suffering from multiple mental conditions and eating disorders. Lady Gaga’s fan base is majorly young girls between the ages of nine to 24 years old. In most women’s magazines (Cosmopolitan, Elle, Allure, Glamour, Latina etc.) often publish full articles urging young women that to lose weight, making them more desirable only if they can drop off those last fifth teen life stopping pounds, promising that with the weight lost they will have it all, loving children, the perfect marriage, a rewarding career and a great sex life. In recent studies on media’s influence on body image, researchers found in leading women’s magazines have a little over ten and one half more advertisements promoting and facilitating weight-loss measures than leading men’s magazines do, almost three quarters of these magazines include at least one content on how to obtain the ideal body by suggesting diets, exercise and even the practice of cosmetic surgery. With such pressure from every possible media outlet the amount of young girl with eating disorder is at an alarming rate. Reaves, Bush, and Yun (2004)In a study conducted by The American research group Anorexia
Nervosa & Related Eating Disorders, Inc. showed that one out of every four college-aged women practices unhealthy methods of controlling or reducing their weight; including, skipping meals, fasting, laxative abuse, excessive exercise, and self-induced vomiting( which may be beginning signs of bulimia: Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by recurrent binge eating, followed by compensatory behaviors. The most common form is defensive vomiting, sometimes called purging) (Karr, 2009). The pressure to be thin is also affecting younger girls: In the same study shows that girls as young as five and six are using weight control measures to obtain the ideal body image that is repeatedly advertised by the mass media. Today in America, as many as ten million females and one million males are in battle with an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia. Millions and millions more are struggling with binge eating disorder (“National Eating Disorders Association,” 2005).For females between 15 to 24 years old who suffer from anorexia nervosa, the mortality rate associated with the illness is twelve times higher than the death rate of all other causes of death (Sullivan,1995).Eating disorders are affecting a very large amount of our youth, 22% of young woman are “often” dieting or “always” dieting 35% of “normal dieters” progress to pathological dieting. Of those, 20-25% progress to partial or full syndrome eating disorders. Often woman and young girls look for fashion advice in magazines and television, some even desire to look like the model wearing clothes from their favorite designers. High-end designers design and advertise clothes to fit the model thin figure, and most fashion models are thinner than 98% of American women. The average American woman is five feet four-inches tall and weighs 140 pounds. The average American model is five feet-11 inches tall and weighs 117 pounds. Being 117 pounds at the height of five feet-11 inches can be very dangerous for the health .I have calculated the BMI (body mass index is a formula that uses both weight and height to estimate body fat,) and resulted at 16.8 body fat, which is extremely dangerous and can lead to many irreversible health conditions. In 2003, Teen magazine reported that 35% of young girls six to 12 years old have been on at least one diet, and that 50 to 70% of normal weight girls are in belief that they are overweight. Overall research indicates that 90% of women are dissatisfied with their appearance in some way.
The chart below shows the different factors that trigger negative body image in woman
The youth is the biggest target for advertisement, big Diet pills/Meal Plans companies often try to convince their audience that their product will improve every aspect of the consumers’ life, if they look like the model being glorified in the ad. Leading girls to indulge in dangerous behavior to obtain that life and in often cases these girls develop some type of eating disorders. Most common are bulimia and anorexia nervosa (an eating disorder identified by an "obsession" for thinness. Characteristic features include drastic weight loss resulting from dieting and/or intense exercise, poor body image, a drive for thinness and fear of weight gain) (Eat Right Ontario, 2010). A lot of these eating disorders are developed by the pressure to be “thin and beautiful” as the media often advertise. When in the destructive cycle of the eating disorders girls start to developed fear of food some of the symptoms of eating disorders are, (The Something Fishy Website on Eating Disorders, 1998-2007) fear of not being able to control eating, and while eating, not being able to stop, Isolation, fear of eating around and with others, chronic dieting on a variety of popular diet plans, holding the belief that life will be better if they can lose weight, hiding food in strange places (closets, cabinets, suitcases, under the bed) to eat at a later time, vague or secretive eating patterns, Self-defeating statements after food consumption, blames failure in social and professional community on weight. holding the belief that food is their only friend, frequently out of breath after relatively light activities, excessive sweating and shortness of breath High blood pressure and/or cholesterol, leg and joint pain, weight gain, decreased mobility due to weight gain, loss of sexual desire or promiscuous relations, mood swings, depression, fatigue, insomnia and poor sleeping habits. It is very common for people with eating disorders to experience every symptom listed. Some even participate in unusual food rituals such as shifting the food around on the plate to look eaten; cutting food into tiny pieces; making sure the fork avoids contact with the lips (using teeth to scrap food off the fork or spoon); chewing food and spitting it out, but not swallowing; dropping food into napkin on lap to later throw away.
Even though mass media constantly send out messages about weight control and the how being thin could single handed fix majority of problems you may be facing, and idolizes images of ultra-skinny celebrities, actors and models some believe media is not responsible for the cause of eating disorders, some scientist explain how anorexia and bulimia may be linked to many different types a psychological conditions such as high levels of estrogen in the womb; low levels of serotonin in the brain; a genetic mutation; over activity by dopamine receptors; a general tendency toward anxiety and obsessionality; high age at menarche; elevated amounts of a mysterious peptide called CART; autism (which is under diagnosed in girls, perhaps because it sometimes manifests itself in the form of eating disorders); premature birth or other birth complications; irregular activity in the insular cortex of the brain; post-traumatic stress disorder; an autoimmune disorder affecting the hypothalamus and pituitary gland; variations in the structure of the anterior ventral striatum (the brain region responsible for emotional responses); and even being born in June (one theory is that a winter-type disease in the mother at a certain vulnerable point during the pregnancy is responsible). (Schwarz, 2004)
In most cases, it is just easier to look at the flaws in something before realizing the positive effects it has. If we analyze how much we depend on the media in our everyday lives, and how it affects us in either a negative or positive way. No matter what opinion we may have, similar or different, we all know the media is not going to be vanishing, but will only be growing and at a very fast pace. We have to learn to distinguish the valuable sources of information the media has to offer, from the weak and controlling messages it can possess.
Media has become majority of the populations every day routine, it is easy to access because it is everywhere, television, magazines, newspapers, telemarketing, billboards, and the one of fastest growing source the Internet. In the hyper era of technology we are currently in, year by year it is easier to deliver effectively a message to another person. With these advancements comes not just communication of basic needs but also more and more advertising. Some of the messages the media carries may influence people in nearly every decision they make. Some may say that this is not necessarily true and that people have the will power to decide for themselves. And this may all depend on the point of view. Are you …show more content…
being influenced by Media? Perhaps you are, but may not be aware of the impact.
In today’s society people are better informed and knowledge on current event, thanks to the rapidly growing press and spreading of mass media here in the United States and throughout the world. Many points of view are being introduced every day leaving society a freedom to choose which is most valuable to them. Media could be of much influence on today’s society and youth as it tends to leave a great deal of impact on the individuals. In an article by Cloy C. Gonzales he describes media as “the most dominant art form” In society Media’s main role is to provide knowledge, entertainment and to inform the public on current events. Media can tell truths and provided positive information that can develop reputations and images in the correct way. But it also can be looked upon as a tribunal of justice. An example of the powerful messages that fill the media is politics. Politicians use media to build up their reputation and also possibly destroy their opponents. Media plays a major part in the everyday routine of many it has contributed in many ways that both enlighten and enrich society, but in other ways have deteriorated and bewildered it. Media uses vibrations and images to teach and leave a greater effect on the society. Many become victims of media's manipulation and can be influenced for the worse. In such cases as the increase of youth suffering from eating disorder and the growing levels of violence.
“Body Image is defined as the subjective concept of one's physical appearance based on self-observation and the reactions of others” (Neil, 2000, para.
7). Images of female bodies are everywhere. You are able to see it when you open a magazine and images of thin and popular woman are used to sell products. Popular film actresses, musicians and television actors are being casted younger, taller and thinner. Some of these popular entertainers have been reportedly know to faint constantly on the job (set) or on stage from lack of proper health management and food intake, for example over publicized entertainer and current pop sensation Lady Gaga fainted from lack of food intake while on tour in Melbourne Australia this past summer, she has been under much scrutiny for her recently launched unauthorized biography that claims she is suffering from multiple mental conditions and eating disorders. Lady Gaga’s fan base is majorly young girls between the ages of nine to 24 years old. In most women’s magazines (Cosmopolitan, Elle, Allure, Glamour, Latina etc.) often publish full articles urging young women that to lose weight, making them more desirable only if they can drop off those last fifth teen life stopping pounds, promising that with the weight lost they will have it all, loving children, the perfect marriage, a rewarding career and a great sex life. In recent studies on media’s influence on body image, researchers found in leading women’s magazines have a little over ten and one half more advertisements promoting and facilitating weight-loss measures than leading men’s magazines do, almost three quarters of these magazines include at least one content on how to obtain the ideal body by suggesting diets, exercise and even the practice of cosmetic surgery. With such pressure from every possible media outlet the amount of young girl with eating disorder is at an alarming rate. Reaves, Bush, and Yun (2004)In a study conducted by The American research group Anorexia
Nervosa & Related Eating Disorders, Inc. showed that one out of every four college-aged women practices unhealthy methods of controlling or reducing their weight; including, skipping meals, fasting, laxative abuse, excessive exercise, and self-induced vomiting( which may be beginning signs of bulimia: Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by recurrent binge eating, followed by compensatory behaviors. The most common form is defensive vomiting, sometimes called purging) (Karr, 2009). The pressure to be thin is also affecting younger girls: In the same study shows that girls as young as five and six are using weight control measures to obtain the ideal body image that is repeatedly advertised by the mass media. Today in America, as many as ten million females and one million males are in battle with an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia. Millions and millions more are struggling with binge eating disorder (“National Eating Disorders Association,” 2005).For females between 15 to 24 years old who suffer from anorexia nervosa, the mortality rate associated with the illness is twelve times higher than the death rate of all other causes of death (Sullivan,1995).Eating disorders are affecting a very large amount of our youth, 22% of young woman are “often” dieting or “always” dieting 35% of “normal dieters” progress to pathological dieting. Of those, 20-25% progress to partial or full syndrome eating disorders. Often woman and young girls look for fashion advice in magazines and television, some even desire to look like the model wearing clothes from their favorite designers. High-end designers design and advertise clothes to fit the model thin figure, and most fashion models are thinner than 98% of American women. The average American woman is five feet four-inches tall and weighs 140 pounds. The average American model is five feet-11 inches tall and weighs 117 pounds. Being 117 pounds at the height of five feet-11 inches can be very dangerous for the health .I have calculated the BMI (body mass index is a formula that uses both weight and height to estimate body fat,) and resulted at 16.8 body fat, which is extremely dangerous and can lead to many irreversible health conditions. In 2003, Teen magazine reported that 35% of young girls six to 12 years old have been on at least one diet, and that 50 to 70% of normal weight girls are in belief that they are overweight. Overall research indicates that 90% of women are dissatisfied with their appearance in some way.
The chart below shows the different factors that trigger negative body image in woman
The youth is the biggest target for advertisement, big Diet pills/Meal Plans companies often try to convince their audience that their product will improve every aspect of the consumers’ life, if they look like the model being glorified in the ad. Leading girls to indulge in dangerous behavior to obtain that life and in often cases these girls develop some type of eating disorders. Most common are bulimia and anorexia nervosa (an eating disorder identified by an "obsession" for thinness. Characteristic features include drastic weight loss resulting from dieting and/or intense exercise, poor body image, a drive for thinness and fear of weight gain) (Eat Right Ontario, 2010). A lot of these eating disorders are developed by the pressure to be “thin and beautiful” as the media often advertise. When in the destructive cycle of the eating disorders girls start to developed fear of food some of the symptoms of eating disorders are, (The Something Fishy Website on Eating Disorders, 1998-2007) fear of not being able to control eating, and while eating, not being able to stop, Isolation, fear of eating around and with others, chronic dieting on a variety of popular diet plans, holding the belief that life will be better if they can lose weight, hiding food in strange places (closets, cabinets, suitcases, under the bed) to eat at a later time, vague or secretive eating patterns, Self-defeating statements after food consumption, blames failure in social and professional community on weight. holding the belief that food is their only friend, frequently out of breath after relatively light activities, excessive sweating and shortness of breath High blood pressure and/or cholesterol, leg and joint pain, weight gain, decreased mobility due to weight gain, loss of sexual desire or promiscuous relations, mood swings, depression, fatigue, insomnia and poor sleeping habits. It is very common for people with eating disorders to experience every symptom listed. Some even participate in unusual food rituals such as shifting the food around on the plate to look eaten; cutting food into tiny pieces; making sure the fork avoids contact with the lips (using teeth to scrap food off the fork or spoon); chewing food and spitting it out, but not swallowing; dropping food into napkin on lap to later throw away.
Even though mass media constantly send out messages about weight control and the how being thin could single handed fix majority of problems you may be facing, and idolizes images of ultra-skinny celebrities, actors and models some believe media is not responsible for the cause of eating disorders, some scientist explain how anorexia and bulimia may be linked to many different types a psychological conditions such as high levels of estrogen in the womb; low levels of serotonin in the brain; a genetic mutation; over activity by dopamine receptors; a general tendency toward anxiety and obsessionality; high age at menarche; elevated amounts of a mysterious peptide called CART; autism (which is under diagnosed in girls, perhaps because it sometimes manifests itself in the form of eating disorders); premature birth or other birth complications; irregular activity in the insular cortex of the brain; post-traumatic stress disorder; an autoimmune disorder affecting the hypothalamus and pituitary gland; variations in the structure of the anterior ventral striatum (the brain region responsible for emotional responses); and even being born in June (one theory is that a winter-type disease in the mother at a certain vulnerable point during the pregnancy is responsible). (Schwarz, 2004)
In most cases, it is just easier to look at the flaws in something before realizing the positive effects it has. If we analyze how much we depend on the media in our everyday lives, and how it affects us in either a negative or positive way. No matter what opinion we may have, similar or different, we all know the media is not going to be vanishing, but will only be growing and at a very fast pace. We have to learn to distinguish the valuable sources of information the media has to offer, from the weak and controlling messages it can possess.