Thin-Obsessed America

Introduction
Excessive Thinness
Ideal Then
 Ideal Future
 Dr. Phil

Ideal Now

Media constantly shows these sort of images in magazines, TV, and newspapers. Because of the mass media coverage, our culture has accepted it to be the 'ideal' image for women. With women seeing these images everyday, they then start comparing themselves to this image, making them feel insecure about their own body type.

 

 

 

 

Only 2% of women actually have this body type, yet media show these images to women, only to make them even more insecure.

 

 

 

 

 

Many young women celebrities in today's world that try to attain the 'ultra-thin' look, literally starve themselves. Some of them are over-exercising and are risking damge to their bodies through the process. The price to look perfect and to maintain it over a long period of time with extreme effort can lead to eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, or compulsive overeating.

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When seeing these kind of pictures, women need to remember that it is in fact a magazine and there are many things to consider before comparing yourself to these images:
~ Body features in the media are enhanced with props, lighting, angles, and computer techniques.
~Shapes and sizes are altered
~Blemishes, freckles, lines, wrinkles, skin fold and any other unwanted features are edited out.
~Photo images can be completely computer generated to fit the look of the day
(Peel Public Health).
The physical images of models are flawless in every way, but they are not perfect 'naturally' in real life. "The media message is that if you try hard enough, spend enough, suffer enough, you can have the look you want...that shaping your body will somehow bring you success and happiness"(Peel Public Health).