Essay On Body Size

Would You Rather Be Skinny or Happy?

Throughout history, being skinny was closely linked to poverty and being fat was a way of flaunting wealth. Today, however, the media glamourizes thinness. Approximately 91% of women are unhappy with their bodies and resort to dieting to achieve their ideal body shape (National). Is there too much pressure on girls to have ‘perfect’ bodies? What is that pressure doing to the girls most affected by this? While there are many reasons why girls are pressured to have ‘perfect’ bodies like positive or negative comments from family and peers on body image, and personal views of self-worth, the most effective cause is the mass media. According to many theorists, the “thin ideal” portrayed in the media accounts for most females’ need to be thin or skinny (Gross 36). While peer acceptance should not be the reason one changes them self, girls are negatively impacted by the pressure to have perfect bodies because it can lead to reduced self-esteem, increased self-consciousness,

Despite thinness being the “ideal” body, the United States has an obesity epidemic. Over one third of adults in America are considered obese. Obesity is linked to diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Obesity is also prevalent in kids. Thanks to Michelle Obama and The Let’s Move Program, children are encouraged to exercise and eat healthy with a fun televised program. This might motivate the adults to eat right and exercise to achieve their own version of an “ideal” body. Another positive influence is the spread of yoga and meditating. Celebrities often boast on social media about their best yoga sessions like Jennifer Aniston or Britney Spears. Yoga helps lower stress, lose weight naturally, and improve metabolism. Knowing that yoga is healthy and that celebrities are doing it, others will be encouraged to do yoga. When they get their desired body, they are healthier and