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The Perfect Body

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The Perfect Body
The Perfect Body Body image issues are a real problem that a lot people face every day. Many seek to achieve an ideal and unrealistic type of body. Some even go to extreme measures, such as drugs, eating disorders, or even over exercising to reach this ideal body. Of course exercise is undoubtedly important to living a healthy life, but it is more important to know that the perfect body cannot and does not exist. Every person is unique and “healthy” does not necessarily mean stick skinny or big muscles. The idea of a perfect body is the result of over exaggerated media and the all important sports world. Through the influence of sports and media, the desire of an ideal body type has become one of the main concerns in a majority of our population and is severely damaging this majority’s physical and mental health. As a multibillion dollar business, it is hard to ignore the fact that sports are really important in today’s society (Sissoko). Sports bring people together and for years have been an excellent source of entertainment. Events are full of “moment-by-moment excitement”, filled with the adrenaline that most people just can’t get enough of. With the business of this all important sport’s world, although, comes the controversy of using illegal drugs. To some athletes, not only professional, the need for a better body to perform at greater capacities has become more important than their ethics and morals. Athletes are role models for people of all ages and seeing them throw away everything that is right, for a better game, a win, or for the body that gets them there is part of the problem we face. The male athletes, who seek out instant results, are the ones who have lead to eating disorders and other harmful habits. These athletes’ strive for success and perfection is taking its toll on society. The effects of the drugs they are turning to can be deadly, but it does not seem to matter as long as they reach their goal of perfection. “Although performance-


Cited: Angier, Natalie. "Drugs, Sports, Body Image and G.I. Joe." The New York Times. The New York Times, 22 Dec. 1998. Web. 5 Apr. 2012. . "Celebrity Culture Promotes Unrealistic Body Images." Celebrity Culture. Ed. Roman Espejo. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2011. Opposing Viewpoints. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 5 Apr. 2012. Dana: The 8 Year Old Anorexic. Dir. Veronica Clifford. Perf. Steven Mackintosh. Channel 4; Dana: The 8 Year Old Anorexic. Channel 4 Television Corporation, 2008. Web. 1 Apr. 2012. . "Eating Disorder Statistics." DMH: South Carolina Department of Mental Health. South Carolina Department of Mental Health, 2006. Web. 05 Apr. 2012. Sissoko, Brad M. "Drug Use in Professional Sports." Buzzle Web Portal: Intelligent Life on the Web. Web. 5 Apr. 2012.
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