Media Influence
The media plays a large part in the way young women view themselves. Though one cannot directly blame the media for eating disorders, they contribute to their presence. Through magazines, television shows and advertising, even billboards, the media tells young women everywhere that "thin is in." Often times individuals aspire to fit the Barbie doll image that the media has deemed attractive. However, the media's image of "beauty" is unattainable for the majority of women, causing them to develop low self-esteem and a negative body image. For example:
*47% of girls in grades 5-12 reported wanting to lose weight because of magazine pictures
*69% of girls in grades 5-12 reported that magazine pictures influenced their idea of the perfect body shape
*The body type portrayed in advertising as the ideal is possessed naturally by only 5% of American females.
*47% of girls in grades 5-12 reported wanting to lose weight because of magazine pictures
*69% of girls in grades 5-12 reported that magazine pictures influenced their idea of the perfect body shape
*The body type portrayed in advertising as the ideal is possessed naturally by only 5% of American females.
