1.
What role does the media play in how
we feel about our bodies? How can health educators help to prepare effective
messages that counter some of the negative images and ideas generated in the
media? Do you think that the media is embracing more diversity in body shape,
size and color than what was "acceptable" years ago?
The media has a
big influence on how people feel about their bodies. Especially for women, we
have grown up wanting that “ model figure” that has dominated our society’s
picture of the perfect person. As a result, many people feel uncomfortable
about their bodies and try to change their bodies in a variety of ways, whether
it be dieting or even developing disorders such as anorexia and bulimia.
The media
largely addresses the idea of perfection in a person’s size and shape. Today,
we rarely find advertisements that showcase what is considered the “ average
women.”
I feel that in
order to teach health, we need to understand that everyone is like a snowflake.
No two snowflakes are alike. Just like a
snowflake, everybody has a body that is unique and can also be healthy.
Appreciation for your body will feel like the first step towards a healthy
lifestyle!
