The Media's Influence on Body Image

The new message plastered all over the magazine rack and television screen, not in so many words, is "thin is in!" The media sets the standard for the "ideal body image" every day and this image changes with the times and with the style. From movies to television and everywhere in between, thin actresses and models are over-represented while normal-sized and overweight actresses and models are under-represented. When people lack the necessary traits to meet the media's cookie cutter idea of what they should look like, they develop low self esteem and experience much body dissatisfaction, both of which can lead to even more serious health problems. After seeing images of extremely thin women and muscular men on the news people, especially adolescents will automatically want to change their appearance to fit what seems to them the norm. Unfortunately, very few people choose to go about changing their body in a healthy way, perhaps because there is no healthy way to work toward this unachievable goal. Eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia, are just the beginning problem; the larger ones including heart and kidney failure due to unhealthy eating practices are to follow. This whole series of events is directly related to the media and their vision of the ideal body. Luckily, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Recently, more and more celebrities have been standing up and encouraging adolescents to be themselves and not alter their appearance in an unhealthy way. Hopefully, this is the first step in saving self-esteem and body image.

The Media's Influence on Body Image

Pick up a magazine or turn on the television and it will not be long before you get the message that thin is back in. After a brief time period of healthy bodies, we are on the verge of a new "thinsation." With so much media attention focusing on celebrities and thinness, it is hard for people not to feel self conscious and experience body dissatisfaction. Grabe, Ward, and Hyde (2008) found that body dissatisfaction is on the rise with approximately fifty percent of American girls and undergraduate women reporting being dissatisfied with their body. Such feelings of self consciousness and dissatisfaction can and has lead to critical physical and mental health problems such as depression, low self-esteem, obesity, and various eating disorders.

Ideal Body Image

The media sets the standard for the "ideal body image" every day. This image changes with the times and with the style. We are coming to the end of a time period in which healthy bodies were the primary focus; this was a time in which many people, both women and men, were able to feel more comfortable with themselves. Now, we are quickly going back to focusing on the "thin factor," making people more self conscious.

From movies to television and everywhere in between, thin actresses and models are over-represented while normal-sized and overweight actresses and models are under-represented. In fact, images shown in the media today are thinner than the actual female population, including those with eating disorders like anorexia (Grabe, Ward & Hyde, 2008). These images are seen every day by both females and males, taunting them to be more like Barbie and G.I. Joe than the average person.

Apparently we viewers are not the only ones being affected by the images the media is creating because a 1996 study found that even centerfold models feel the need to lie about not only their weight, but their height as well. In addition, 72% of all women featured in Playboy in 1994-1995 claimed to have a body mass index below the medical cutoff for malnourishment (Leutwyler, 2006).

The general ideal body image, as put off by the media, varies by gender. For females, the media suggests they be stick thin, preferably anorexic criteria thin. For males, the media suggests they be thin, but very muscular. Basically, the media wants the public to engage in the age old idea of "girly girl" and "manly man."

The Problem

There are many problems that stem from the media's portrayal of the ideal body. One of these problems is Social Comparison Theory, which states that people compare themselves and those close to them with other people and images that they see as being realistically attainable goals (Dorian, 2002, cited in Domil, 2003). The public's reaction to the media and its ideal body image is the perfect example of social comparison theory results. Domil (2003) cites a study done by Dorian (2002) in which societal attitudes relating to body image changed after television was introduced in Fiji. After approximately three years exposure to media, adolescent females changed their body image and were then more likely to diet and experience body dissatisfaction.

Consequences

When people lack the necessary traits to meet the media's cookie cutter idea, they develop low self esteem and experience much body dissatisfaction, both of which can lead to even more serious health problems (Grabe, Ward & Hyde, 2008).

As you can imagine, after seeing images of extremely thin women and muscular men on the news people, especially adolescents, will automatically want to change their appearance to fit what seems to them the norm. Unfortunately, very few of these people choose to go about changing their body in healthy way, perhaps because there is no healthy way to work toward this unachievable goal. In attempt to fit this media-developed norm, many develop eating disorders. When they are still unable to achieve the ideal body image, many will give up and turn to food, later resulting in obesity. All eating disorders, including obesity, lead to even more severe health problems, including heart attack, kidney failure, and loss of bone mass (NEDA, 2007).

Eating disorders have become more prevalent in the last fifty years and much of that increase, if not all, is because of the media. Stick thin actresses on television and unhealthy-looking models in the most popular magazines are the imagines that young folks see today and it is because of this that they are starving themselves and developing poor eating habits.

Sufferers of anorexia nervosa, a prolonged disorder of eating due to loss of appetite, experience distorted body image, low self esteem, depression, mood swings, and an intense fear of becoming overweight. There are many health problems associated with this disease, including slow heart rate, low blood pressure, loss of bone mass, dehydration, and fainting. These short term health problems can also lead to long term; more severe health problems such as heart failure, heart attack, kidney failure, osteoporosis, and even death (NEDA, 2007). Unfortunately, only one-quarter of sufferers make a full recovery and 30-50% require re-hospitalization within one year of discharge (Walsh, Kaplan & Attia, 2006). Tragically, anorexia nervosa also has the highest mortality rate of any mental health condition and eating disorder, with 5-20% of suffers dying (NEDA, 2007).

Sufferers of bulimia nervosa, an eating disorder with the characteristics over over-eating followed by self-induced vomiting or laxative abuse, also experience distorted body image, low self esteem, and depression. Health problems evolving from this disease include insomnia, extremely high or low blood pressure, teeth erosion, malnutrition, electrolyte imbalance, and damaging of the voice. More severe health issues resulting from bulimia are heart failure, rupturing of the esophagus, and death (NEDA, 2007). Unfortunately, since bulimia nervosa is so easy to hide, getting treatment as quickly as needed to cure this disease is rarely possible. Only half of the sufferers of this disease make a full recovery (Leutwyler, 2006). Sadly, the mortality rate for bulimia nervosa is higher than cancer (NEDA, 2007).

Binge eating, the excessive or compulsive consumption of food, is the most common eating disorder in the United States; more common than anorexia and bulimia combined (Springen, 2007). Binge eaters usually suffer from low self esteem, depression, and mood swings. Health problems associated with this disease include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes, rupturing of the esophagus, and disease of the gallbladder (NEDA, 2007). More than thirty percent of binge eaters are male, which an unusually high statistic for an eating disorder (Springen, 2007). While binge eating disorder significantly affects males (two percent), it also affects three and a half percent of females, and usually lasts approximately eight years (Hellmich, 2007).

Bigorexia, also known as muscle dysmorphia, is commonly known as "reverse anorexia." Those who suffer from this disorder become obsessed with the idea that they are not muscular enough, inevitably resorting to constantly working out and using steroids (ABC). Bigorexia isn't as life-threatening as anorexia; it is actually the use of steroids on top of unhealthy eating habits that make this disorder so risky. Recovery from this disease is nevertheless very difficult because, like anorexics, these sufferers usually will not admit their problem. In the fortunate situations in which sufferers receive therapy, they will undergo behavioral changes, be given much social support, and most likely be put on medication (ANARED).

As you can see, the eating disorders is an immense problem in our society, due in large part to the media and its portrayal of what the average person should look like. These disorders lead to crucial health problems, in which the worst-case-scenario is death. Eating disorders do not just affect your body, but also you mind and the way you look at yourself.

As expected, the physical consequences of the media's ideal body image are also connected to the emotional and psychological consequences. Many people also experience low self-esteem, depression, and thoughts of suicide due to body dissatisfaction as a result of the media.

Sufferers of depression often experience persistent sad, anxious, or empty feelings, in addition to feelings of hopelessness, guilt, restlessness, and irritability. Depressed persons will experience loss of interest in once-enjoyed activities, fatigue, insomnia, over-eating, thoughts of suicide, and have difficulty concentrating or making decisions. Fortunately, depression is a highly treatable disorder if the affected persons seek help. After a complete diagnostic evaluation, a treatment plan can be created and altered as necessary (NIMH).

Taking Precaution

It is immensely important for parents, guardians, family, and friends to talk to each other about the ideal body image portrayed by the media and how it is unrealistic. Generally, people are not going to realize that what they see in the media every day is not the norm until it is pointed out to them. It is important to instill values in youth, while it is still possible to shape their opinions. Body image develops very young and it is important to teach children what is and is not okay and what truly is attainable. People need to know that it is literally impossible to be built like Barbie and that centerfold models are now being digitally morphed to look thinner and more curvaceous (Domil, 2003).

Luckily, things are slowly but surely starting to change so that eating disorders and body dissatisfaction can be less prevalent in youths. In a 2002 study, approximately half of college female athletes showed symptoms of eating disorders. Now, college coaches are changing their methods so that athletes will not feel the pressure to be unhealthy, such as not weighing female athletes (Christian Science Monitor, 2007).

Tyra Banks is also doing her part now in addressing body dissatisfaction among adolescents and pre-adolescents. The Tyra Banks Show has now had three different episodes on eating disorders, one of which was devoted completely to adolescents, and they were also featured in the other episodes as well. On the one show, a nine-year-old girl from the audience explained how she is so terrified of getting fat that she will not eat every day. In the same episode, Tyra Banks also talked to girls as young as five that admitted to dieting so they can be "skinny."

Supermodels are now also being encouraged to become healthier. In 2006, models were turned away from Spain's top fashion show because they were too thin. Only models with a BMI of eighteen or over were allowed on the catwalks at Madrid's fashion week and to much disappointment, thirty percent of the women were not able to "strut their stuff" because of this (Leutwyler, 2006).

Information, such as what is listed above, needs to become common knowledge. Are most people aware of what the media is doing to the general population, especially youth and adolescents? A lot of people do, but a lot of people also do not. The consequences need to be made known and more importantly, avoided.

Summary

The message being broadcasted by the media is that thin is back in, and people are eager to get with the times. Mass media sets the standard for the "ideal body image" every day and this image changes with the times and with the style. From movies to television and everywhere in between, thin actresses and models are over-represented while normal-sized and overweight actresses and models are under-represented. People who do not fit the media's standards are experiencing low self-esteem and much body dissatisfaction, making them eager to change their appearance. Unfortunately, very few people are trying to change their body in healthy way-they want fast result. Because of this, eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia, are once again on the rise, but that is just the beginning. Larger problems, including the consequences of eating disorders, such as heart and kidney failure, due to unhealthy eating practices are soon to follow. Luckily, more and more people have been standing up and speaking out about these problems and encouraging people to be themselves and not alter their appearance in any unhealthy way. At least the media is taking some steps to right their wrong.

References

1. (2006, January 16). Less well known eating disorders and related problems. ANARED: Anorexia Nervosa and Related Eating Disorders, Inc. Retrieved: October 18, 2008 from: http://www.anared.com

2. (2007). Taking a bite out of eating disorders. Christian Science Monitor, 99(57), 8.

3. Banks, Tyra. (2006). Eating Disorders. On: The Tyra Banks Show. California: CBS.

4. Domil, T. (2003). The influence of media images upon body esteem. Loyola University. New Orleans, LA.

5. Grabe, S., Ward, L. M. & Hyde, J. S. (2008). The role of the media in body image concerns among women: A meta-analysis of experimental and correlational studies. Psychological Bulletin, 134(3), 460-476.

6. Hellmich, Nanci (2007, February 1). Binge eating is no. 1 food disorder in USA. USA Today, 6D.

7. Leutwyler, Kristin. (2006). Dying to be thin. Scientific American Special Edition, 16(4), 84-88.

8. NEDA: National Eating Disorders Association. Retrieved: October 15, 2008 from: http://www.neda.org

9. NIMH: National Institute of Mental Health. Retrieved: October 18, 2008 from: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression/complete-publication.shtml

10. Obsessed with building muscles. ABC News. Retrieved: October 18, 2008, from: http://www.abcnews.go.com/GMA/print?id=126787

11. Springen, Karen. (2007). Battle of the binge. Newsweek, 149(8), 76-77.

12. Walsh B. T., Kaplan A. S., Attia, E., et al. (2006). Eating disorders. Current Medical Literature: Psychiatry, 17(4), 111-113.