Media Effects On Body Image Analysis

Fatal Wants The human body has many unique features and has the capability to achieve multiple different things, however it is too often overlooked. The media plays a huge role in influencing society, especially when it comes to the ideal body image. During the turn of the twentieth century, the ideal body image for women changed drastically, from curves and thickness, to exceedingly thin, almost twig-like bodies. Along with this change came a rise in eating disorders, depression, low self esteem, and an increase in supplement use. The media has changed society's perspective of body image from healthy to unrealistic and unhealthy standards which can be proven by ethical, legal, and emotional arguments. Society has given the media too much

Laura Finley supports this as she states, “According to the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA), this obsession has contributed to an increase in eating disorders, low self-esteem, and depression among women in the United States” (1). Society sets standards for individuals to meet in order to feel accepted as a person and many people will do anything to meet those standards. Ballaro also confirms this when writing, “In the United States, the discrepancy between the extraordinarily thin body type promoted in the media and the reality of average women's bodies has been implicated in the steady rise of eating disorders, especially among adolescents” (16). The health of many young individuals is at stake due to the dedication to reach this desirable thin body without bearing in mind the consequences. Not only can this lead to disorders such as bulimia and anorexia, but Maggie Wykes and Barrie Gunter take it further when they describe how this can be deadly to the brain. They go on to say, “Irregularity in brain function and even tumors have also been related to anorexic outcomes. As this part of the brain is associated with food regulation it has been hypothesized that such lesions might predisposes towards anorexia” (Wykes, Gunter 23). Eating disorders aren’t just a fad and they aren’t always taken as

With modern technology, advertising and the media can be found at the touch of a button. As a whole we are greatly influenced by whatever the media throws at us and that is how we base our society. However, the world does not discern the negative effects and ultimate downfall this can lead to. By inspiring young individuals to slim down their bodies to an unhealthy weight, the media has led to an increase in health problems and a decrease in self esteem. Young adults and adolescents will endeavour everything to match society’s perfect body image. Which isn’t just unhealthy physically, but mentally. This leads to disorders such as bulimia, anorexia and even a deep depression. What many people don’t see is that there is no such thing as a perfect body. Each and every person has flaws that are unique from others. To have a good body one must learn to accept themselves for who they are, flaws and all. This will open a path to a much happier, healthier