Assignment 1 Eating Disorders

Jean E. Kilbourne suggested in an essay entitled “Beauty… And the Beast of Advertising” that the images of females in media encourage girls and women alike to be preoccupied with their weight. She hit the nail on the head with that one! Every facet of the media portrays an unrealistic image of what a woman's body looks like.

Firstly, there has never been an average-looking role model for young girls. As impressionable children, pre-adolescent girls try to resemble their heroes. This generation’s sensation is Miley Cyrus. Though she is not a bag of bones, Miley is definitely slimmer than most. With her doing a sexy photo shoot with bare back to the camera, it is easy to see that this teen star is very thin. Less than a decade ago, girls were looking up to Britney Spears. When Brit was at the top of her stardom, she had a completely flat stomach. This is nearly impossible for most to achieve. Prior to her, the Olsen twins served as role models to many of America’s youth. These two ladies grew to be so thin both had ribs visible to all. One of the pair was hospitalized for an eating disorder.

In addition, there are an abundant amount of diet commercials on television. Not being able to watch an hour-long program without seeing an advertisement for weight-loss products would suggest that these are necessary and important items. One commercial clearly states ‘body fat is unattractive.” After suggestions like that, photographs of thin, beautiful women are plastered all over the screen. There are also home gym commercials that spark an unrealistic goal for anybody beginning an exercise regimen. The use of adjectives such as hot, smoking, and sexy lead viewers to believe anything else than a toned and muscular body to be something less than desirable.

Lastly, any person to pick up an issue of a fashion magazine would immediately notice a very attractive and slender model on the cover. Once opening this publication, a glance at photos of upcoming trends would fill their eyes with nothing but women resembling twigs. This year’s fashion must-haves are intended for the thinnest of consumers. “Super skinny” jeans, a garment skin-tight from hip to ankle, and leggings were certainly not marketed with the heavier, average, woman in mind. These thicker women might take drastic measures to get into trendy outfits. It is only human to emulate and strive to be the best. This case being the skinniest and most fashion savvy.

As these points have illustrated, images of women in the media do encourage females, young and old, to keep an eye on their weight. Sometimes they are seeking practical results or, more often than not, desiring unobtainable goals.