Posted on February 25, 2010.
Media and its influence on body image of women It has now become clear that media advertising and promotion of a very unhealthy trend of extreme diets and other unhealthy eating habits to women. Most media sources put on their covers images of skinny emancipated women.
In doing so, they influence the subconscious of the masses. And women continue to spend their money trying to achieve this unattainable look they constantly see in media advertising.
To address this problem we will address the following questions.
What is body image?
What kind of trends in the media industry we see now?
How the media influence our perception of body image?
What could be the reasons?
What are the consequences of such trends?
What are the real suggestions on how to improve your body image?
Your body image is how you see, think and feel in your body. This may have no impact at all on your actual appearance. For example, it is common in Western countries for women to believe they are bigger and fatter than they really are. Only one in five women are satisfied with their body weight.
Nearly half of all women of normal weight to overestimate their size and shape. A body image can lead to destructive behaviors, like dieting or eating disorders. About nine of 10 young Australian women have dieted at least once in their life.
Thus, the basic trend in the media industry when promoting thin, even skinny women natural body looking as beautiful.
Women of all ages but especially young women looking at magazines, television, movies and other media products full of images that show thin women's bodies. And they are perceived by the subconscious of young women as a model to follow and aspire to be like. Achieving this skinny look does not come naturally, it leads inevitably to practice a kind of diet, exercise, excessive or abnormal eating behaviors.
Twenty years ago, the model of weighted average of 8 per cent less than the average woman, but today's models weigh 23 percent less. Advertisers believe that thin models sell products.
When the Australian magazine New Woman recently included a picture of a heavy-set model on its cover, it received a truckload of letters from grateful readers praising the move. But its advertisers complained and the magazine returned with bone thin models.
What could be the reason behind all this? Why this fashion trend happened today? Why are standards of beauty being imposed on women, the majority are naturally bigger than all the models?
The reasons for this according to some analysts, is economic. Presenting a perfect look that is difficult to achieve and maintain cosmetic industry and food are provided for growth and profits. It is estimated that the food industry alone is worth $ 100 billion (U.S.) per year. That'sa lot of money, and certainly worth continuing to encourage women emancipated as the norm.
And the consequences of this trend are enormous. On the one hand, women who are insecure about their body are more likely to buy cosmetics, new clothes, and diet pills or other food supplies.
Moreover, research indicates that exposure to thin images, young, air-brushed female bodies is linked to depression, loss of self esteem and the development of bad habits among women and girls.
The level of eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia are increasing rapidly every year. About 5 percent of women and 1 percent of men have an eating disorder like anorexia or bulimia or Bing.
