Whether its boobs, bum, or belly, Most of us would admit that there is at least one part of our bodies that we would happily change given the chance. These days we are constantly bombarded with images and information about how we apparently should look and what the ‘perfect body’ is. So it’s not really a surprise that eating disorders are becoming increasingly common in young people. But what is it that leads people to test their bodies to the extremes?
Throughout my teenage years, I have struggled with understanding and appreciating my own body shape. Like many, I have tried and tested a number of different weird and wonderful diets, from the low carb diet, to consuming nothing but Cuppa Soups and herbal teas. These diet plans are not necessarily the healthiest methods of weight-loss but, like many young women, I strive to have a figure like the girls plastered all over the media, and I want it quickly and effortlessly. For some young women, simply cutting out a few high fat foods from their diets just isn’t enough and therefore feel that not eating at all is a much quicker and more effective way of losing weight. Of course, not eating or being ‘Anorexic’ is highly dangerous and can become extremely addictive. Anorexia can cause a number of different problems in the future such as stunted growth and infertility.
Many Anorexia sufferers over- exercise so that large amounts of weight can be lost more quickly. Strongly effected suffers are often over-ruled by the illness. One 14 year old girl from London refused to drink water as she forced herself to believe that it contained calories. Anorexia is frighteningly addictive. 90% of suffers are female and surveys have shown that the age of anorexia is gradually getting lower and lower, now being diagnosed in children as young as 12 years old. These statistics are terrifying. So what is it that fuels the addiction?
Many say it is the Media who are to blame for this attack on self- esteem. Models shown in the media are very often extremely thin, many not much bigger than a size 4. Many of us see these images of these pencil thin girls with their gaps in their legs and super flat stomachs and automatically think that this is how we should look also. In a way, the media is ‘glamorizing’ eating disorders as often, the models featured in magazines and on TV are of an unhealthy weight themselves. Although many companies have responded to the recent complaints about the lack of healthy, average sized models in the media, adding ‘plus sized’ models (which are often only size 14 models, hardly plus sized!) to their products. Even still, many images with the slightest imperfections are airbrushed until they are what the industry classifies as being ‘perfect’. This usually means getting rid of any unnecessary lumps and bumps and occasionally even adding in the odd bit of muscle definition! By doing these things, the media are distorting many people’s idea of what a healthy, attractive body shape looks like.
Another body shape bully, believe it or not, is Facebook. We’ve all had that awful photo from the night before that we didn’t want anyone to see put onto Facebook haven’t we? Sure, some of the photos are hilarious but have you ever logged off and found yourself wondering if those couple of pounds you’ve put on have started to show? Out of 600 Facebook users surveyed, 75% reported being unhappy with their bodies and 51% said Facebook makes them more conscious about their body and weight. It’s completely understandable. Knowing that hundreds of people are able to view and potentially comment on photos showcasing your ‘wobbly bits’ is hardly reassuring. Could Facebook also be to blame for the growth in eating disorders? Yes. Many people will see those images of themselves and become increasingly more and more unhappy about their appearance. Some will then think that the only way to solve these body issues is by making radical alterations to their bodies until they believe that they are ‘perfect’.
For those people with a bit of money in the bank, there is always that option of plastic surgery. Whether it’s a little of the thighs or bigger boobs, plastic surgery can completely change someone’s body and their self esteem. Every year, millions of people spend massive amounts of money on cosmetic procedures. Most of the time, cosmetic surgery is successful but, if not done by certified professionals, there can be complications. Many patients in the past have reported burst implants, stitches breaking, and even scars coming apart. There are also some procedures that have to be cared for after surgery such as lipo-suction. This form of surgery is only permanent if the weight is kept off. Personally, I wouldn’t want to spend thousands of pounds on a treatment that’s only semi-permanent. Yes we all want quick fixes but are this really worth it?
Of course, the healthiest, and often the most achievable way of losing weight is the ‘eat less, exercise more’ method. Yes, we all want to be able to lose weight quickly and effortlessly but, let’s face it, no results are going to appear unless the work is put in. And it doesn’t have to be full throttle dieting either. The smallest changes will make the biggest differences. Before you sit down with your favourite chocolate bar, stop and change it to an apple. We all also need to accept our bodies for what they are. Everyone feels body conscious and one point and we all feel that we have to diet for different reasons. But it is really right that we all feel that we should be like those pencil thin models? I mean, wouldn’t the world be a pretty boring if everyone looked the same?
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