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CAN we change cultural messages about weight and beauty?
When talking about eating disorders people always ask “Do thin models CAUSE an eating disorder?” I always take a moment to reply to this one, because the answer is not easy. As is the case with so much about eating disorders the answer may vary from person to person.
In almost any case, the cause of an eating disorder is complicated. Causes are usually a “loaded gun”- personality, genetic make up, coping style, stressful events, history of being teased, trauma, the list goes on. Look at the Mindfullness Recovery kit, “What Causes an Eating Disorder” handout for more info on this.
So perhaps we can’t say magazine pictures and the way models look CAUSE an eating disorder, but they certainly don’t help. When you look at the unrealistic images (models are 95% thinner than the average American woman) you can’t help but notice the model looks different than you (or anyone you know). If you are already feeling bad or have a certain coping or personality type, this kind of disparity can contribute to wanting to lose weight. They also send messages that thinness equals success, popularity, and other desirable things. The images definitely set the stage to cope in a certain way involving food and weight. They certainly don’t help people believe there can be health at every size and they definitely DO NOT promote body acceptance!
The Dove Onslaught Video illustrates the influence the media has on how we feel by the constant messages it sends about size and appearance.
So, after reading this post and watching the video what do you think we can do as individuals and a society to combat these images? I would love to hear your thoughts and plan to provide some ideas of my own in upcoming posts!
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