MEDIA AND THE DAMAGE DONE Projecting Unrealistic Ideals by: Dawn Barbarino

For as long as I can remember advertising has played a role in the objectification and unrealistic body image for women. This very well can pave the way to destructive eating disorders, especially for those who already struggle with their self image. I can't imagine how awful it must be for anyone who suffers with an eating disorder.

When I was a teenager, this type of advertising came only in the form of television advertisements and/or magazines. Now, in 2021, the never-ending social media platforms further encourage this unrealistic body image. https://www.forbes.com/sites/petersuciu/2021/02/24/social-media-can-increase-risk-of-eating-disorders-and-negative-body-image/?sh=6c26cd81e496

First published in 1944, Seventeen, the magazine for young girls, was already promoting the image of what they should look up too. "The average model was 5’7, 130 pounds". Today, the average model is 5'10", 115 pounds. This BMI (Body Mass Index) ratio is lower than many women in poverty-stricken countries" https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/information/binge-eating-disorder/summertime-swim-suits-and-body-image-issues Not only is she tall and thin, the manipulation that can be done with photos creates an even higher level of perfection to reach for.

There are over 12 types of eating disorders. 5 are recognized as a medical diagnosis. Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Muscle Dysmorphia, Binge Eating Disorder and Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED).The eating disorders that haven't made their way to the "official" medical diagnosis list are still acknowledged by the medical profession. https://breathelifehealingcenters.com/12-types-eating-disorders-explained

"Eating disorders are serious and be fatal" whether they are on the official medical diagnosis or not. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/eating-disorders

While I am very aware that the winds of change are slow, I would like to see the media change layout of the photo advertisements. One for one. For every body glorifying photo, add a photo of an anorexic body, placed right next to each other. Leave captions off of these photos, let the viewer see them without any subliminal messages to sway their viewpoint.

Stop promoting phrases such as "nothing tastes as good as skinny feels" . Out of this tag line, from years ago, a new phrase has taken over - "thinspirational". Leading to such web sites such as https://www.lifescr.com/thinspo-diet-plan/#Popular_Thinspiration_Quotes

And to me, one of the easiest changes that can me made is early education. Start teaching this - body size isn't moral. You aren't "good" if you are thin, and bad if you are not thin, also shift the language used around food as it being "good" vs "bad", if needed, it might be said as "healthy vs not so healthy" , again food is not a moral issue