The article below reveals a shocking statistic — girls between the ages of eleven and thirteen believe that they are fat. This is a time when they should be enjoying their lives. This is a time when they should be living happy lives with their friends and families. Instead, they see themselves as fat and develop a poor body image.
As a result, many of these women go on “fad” diets, excessively exercise or use other methods to achieve what they believe to be the “perfect” or “beautiful” body.
The problem is that it does not stop there. Another study found that eighty percent of adult women are dissatisfied with their appearance and approximately ten million Americans suffer from eating disorders. Additionally, with the images shown on television, in magazines and other social media, this only worsens the problem. These images, and the messages they send, have nothing to do with true beauty. They are merely superficial attempts to present beauty in a way that is either unattainable or that, quite truthfully, won’t lead to true and lasting happiness.
Indeed, there has even been a sixteen percent rise in the rate of eating disorders among men.
Undoubtedly, the time has come for us not only to have a discussion about the deadly nature of eating disorders, but to change the messages that society conveys about true beauty, happiness, self-esteem, self-worth and leading a meaningful, purposeful and rewarding life. It may be a difficult battle, but through hard work and a continuing campaign to raise awareness we can re-define the nature of true beauty, which is really about each person’s special, unique and wonderful qualities.
http://www.pennlive.com/editorials/index.ssf/2012/04/image_is_everything_unfortunat.html
