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!
Hey Kristen,
ReplyDeleteI love the metaphor you used of how everyone is a snowflake and no two are alike. I believe that in this day in age, social media, especially Instagram, influences how young girls perceived themselves. Lately, a lot of people have been on the healthy trend due to easy ways of food guides and workouts via social media. However, some women are trying to go the "easy way out" by waist training. Waist training requires for women to to wear a corset for many hours in order to shrink their waist with or without exercise. Although some women get the desired result of a smaller waist, they are still harming themselves. The corsets alter the body's natural frame and it can cause acid reflex and also makes the frame look abnormal. I believe health educators should educate young girls and women how to live a healthy lifestyle and also tell them about the side effects of taking the easy way out.
Great post,
Rachel Amadi