Do you really need to lose weight? Or have we all been brainwashed?!
By Hmouse20
@Hmouse20 (132)
June 16, 2010 9:20pm CST
More and more studies show that our self-image in terms of weight is becoming increasingly warped as time goes by. We buy into the skinny celebrity fashions and the magazine cover swimsuit bodies. Men and women are both told day in and day out that even an inch of fat on their bodies is disgusting and that only skinny people will be popular in schools etc. Young people are met with an onslaught of pressure in order to be slender or toned and those with larger frames are victimized for not "fitting in".
-Thoughts, feeling, ideas?
-Are we aware of how our children are affected by these images/beliefs?
-When we discuss diets/the need to lose weight ourselves around children, are we instilling this message in their minds? Slimmer is better?
-Might this account for some of the image-related eating disorders in teenagers?
Let me know what you think!
1 person likes this
4 responses
@manojt2 (179)
• India
18 Jun 10
Thanks for opening this subject. I am negative about these media hype and celebrity fitness. And this is due to one face, that we just view the outer side of anything, I mean the showy thing. A person might be good at his figure but what about his mind. Is it healthy as his physique. I don't like the way these people hammer on us the zero figure and toned body things. If anyone wants to be like that it is his wish. They don't have any right to criticize if someone is out of shape and nor should they hammer everyone that everyone should have a great figure. I realize that puts a lot of pressure on the young ones and some of them literally quit on regular lunches. I appreciate one of our celebrities coming forward and guiding the young ones against quitting of regular lunches and to eat normally. She stressed instead of giving of food have regular exercise.
@Hmouse20 (132)
•
18 Jun 10
Exactly. I feel that the media has no idea what people's daily lives are like. Some people really struggle, and have to face difficulties in their lives. They can't ever be size 0! So they are made to feel bad because they have to stare at skinny people who are meant to be equal to prettyness! or whatever. It's sad. I understand if people want to lose weight because of the health benefits or whatever. But seriously, because someone influenced you to be skinnier so people will like you more is just INSANE! thanks for the post! :)
@sender621 (14893)
• United States
17 Jun 10
Image has become so important in today's society. We have to be happy with the way we perceive ourselves. If we are content with our weight, that should be good enough. Losing weight is a choice we have to make and live with. Don't let someone else tell you what your body should look like. Your body is your choice.
@alwayzzcitra (1861)
• Indonesia
18 Jun 10
I take it this way, if you are really obese or heavily overweight, then yes, you need to lose weight. But if you have ideal weight and healthy, I don;t see why you should lose more pounds. Obesity is not healthy, it's not good for your heart, blood pressure etc while being anorexic will make your body fail to thrive and guess what, your body needs food to survive. Both being obese and anorexic can kill you. The best way in to stay in the middle :)
@l33tqueen (15)
• New Zealand
17 Jun 10
Yeah, eating disorders are much more common than in decades/centuries past. It's quite nasty, and probably a direct result of the media blasting anyone who puts on even the tiniest bit of weight. However, the notion of what is considered 'desirable' in a woman (and let's face it, it's females who face the brunt of this) are always fluctuating, and one day it might be more healthy figures stealing the limelight! For now though, a healthy weight should be what everyone aims for.
"Eat. Not too much. Mostly plants."
Oh, and when it comes to kids, I think anything happening to make THEM lower their self-image is likely to stem from a parenting issue.
@Hmouse20 (132)
•
17 Jun 10
Hey, I couldn't agree more! and i do hope that healthier body images will be promoted in the future... and not the skeletons we see today! I just think that parents don't think when they stand in front of a mirror and talk about how they're not going to eat for the week etc. in order to lose weight. I just think it negatively impacts the children who see it. thanks for posting. :)
