THE" IDEAL" BODY? (skinny fake)

These are not so fun facts but facts none the less.

- Twenty years ago, models weighed 8% less than the average woman. Today, they weigh 23% less than the average woman.
- The average American woman is 5’4” tall and weighs 140 pounds. The average American model is 5’11” tall and weighs 117 pounds.
-It is estimated that 40 to 50% of American women are trying to lose weight at any point in time.
-A study found that 53% of thirteen-year-old American girls are unhappy with their bodies. This number grows to 78% by the time girls reach seventeen.



The average size of the “ideal” woman in media, has become thinner over the years and guess what it's no where near the average weight. Completely unachievable for most women. A 1995 study found that three minutes spent looking at models in a fashion magazine caused 70% of women to feel depressed, guilty, and ashamed. Sounds about right to me.

Why? Sexuality and the importance of physical attractiveness sells products! It's no wonder then that eating disorders are on the increase because the values we place on people are screwey. Men and woman in North America are given the message that thin is important and necessary for happiness and health. Well I'm here to tell you it isn't. Remember this when you walk past any magazine promoting an emaciated model or actor. Maintaining a weight 15% below an expected body weight , according to medical standards, fits the criteria for anorexia, so most models at 23% less than the average woman are therefore; sick. And to rub salt in those wounds those photos have been touched up and air brushed so much that it's next to impossible - no, impossible to look that way. So don't try.

Let us not forgot the DIETS in these fun little mags. While standing in the check out line you are surrounded by magazines claiming to have found the solution to your fat problem. Each month another diet claiming to be the "miracle" diet. Miracle? Oh really did the Pope proclaim it to be a miracle? What happened to last month's diet that was the holy grail of diets to end all diets? Oh I see it didn't work...DIETS DON"T WORK LONG TERM! They deprive you of the proper nutrition your body needs which just sets you up for failure. Be prepared to spend money and never get that perfect body because there isn't one ( a perfect body). Next time you decide to buy one of these magazines claiming to make you thin, or you decide to self inflicted a famine because you think you're too fat, stop, buy a book on self-esteem or sign up for a self esteem course instead. If we learn to love and accept ourselves we will also love our bodies no matter the size as long as it's healthy.

Some researchers believe that advertisers purposely normalize unrealistically thin bodies, in order to create an unattainable desire that can drive product consumption.1 "The media markets desire. And by reproducing ideals that are absurdly out of line with what real bodies really do look like...the media perpetuates a market for frustration and disappointment. Its customers will never disappear," writes Paul Hamburg, an assistant professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.2 Considering that the diet industry alone generates $33 billion in revenue,3 advertisers have been successful with their marketing strategy.

What do we teach our children when were constantly striving to be thin? We need to remind them that people come in all shapes and sizes and are to be accepted for who they are, not how they look. They need to be taught the value of eating healthy and not send the message that being thin is important. I hear the insults being thrown around often by children under the age of 10. Fat or ugly or some aesthetic assault. Studies show that kids are becoming obsessed with dieting and their bodies with their fears revolving around what they look like and it's not just the girls. More and more boys are being affected and in that many cases may not be reported, since males are reluctant to to be pegged with a "girls" illness.  

Health is a concern.  Food intake, indeed important but it's not just "dieting" than can affect their health.   4Studies have also found that boys, like girls, may turn to smoking to help them lose weight. Boys ages 9 to 14 who thought they were overweight were 65% more likely to think about or try smoking than their peers.

I'm fairly sure. that all of this is learned behaviour, and who do you think they learn it from? It's not just the media but also from their parents who if constantly dieting or expressing a desire to be thin have made the child believe that, that is what is important to function in society and not strength of character.

So please stop buying those magazines and diet books and stop buying into their lies. They are an industry and they need to make money. There is always going to be a new diet or a new super food. Whatever sells. Instead, focus on eating whole foods, move daily and learn to love and accept yourself because that's where true happiness lies - within.

It's time to do the work!  

They're is no magic anything that will miraculously melt away the fat or erase years of abusive behaviour.  You need to want to change and be OK with who you are.  Be the best YOU, you can be. If not for you, then do it for your children or your grandchildren because all they see is perfection when they look at you.

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1. Hamburg, P. (1998). "The media and eating disorders: who is most vulnerable?" Public Forum: Culture, Media and Eating Disorders, Harvard Medical School.
2. Ibid.
3. Schneider, K. "Mission Impossible." People Magazine , June, 1996.
4. Wax. R.G. (1998). "Boys and Body Image." San Diego Parent Magazine.