Features
Media feeds anorexia
Ursula Meyer
May 11, 2007 - 1:43:14 AM

Anywhere teens look today, there are mixed messages about weight, eating, and food.

Womens’ magazines covers show photos of luscious desserts, while advertising the latest weight-loss fad.

Websites abound with diet tips, exercise plans, and ways to find something to hate about one’s body, while restaurants are serving gigantic portions of food to eat.

Diet advertisements do not help either. An average of 400-600 advertisements bombard a person daily in magazines, billboards, TV, and newspapers. One in eleven has a direct message about beauty and nearly all contain an indirect message.

Supermodels in all the popular magazines and commercials have continued to get thinner and thinner, and modeling agencies have even been accused of actively pursuing anorexic models.

Average female models weigh up to 25% less than the typical woman and maintain a weight at about 15 to 20% below what is considered healthy for her age and height. Some models go through plastic surgery, some are "taped-up" to mold their bodies into more photogenic forms, and photos are airbrushed before going to print. These fake images and false realities have greatly contributed to the increase in eating disorders over the past few decades.

With over-exposed actresses, like Nicole Richie, Kiera Knightly, and Ashley Simpson, women tend to associate beauty with tiny waists and skinny arms.

"They look like walking skeletons. I like girls with ‘junk in the trunk,’" said Tommy Hunkins (12).

Actresses from 40 years ago actually had curves and were still beautiful, but celebrities today have teens idolizing an ultra-skinny physique.

According to The National Institute of Mental Health, 5-10% of females suffer from anorexia or similar symptoms. Estimates further suggest that at least 1% of males suffer from the disorder; however, many male cases go unreported because it is considered a female disorder.

Anorexia affects all body functions, and can tear a person apart with stress, which often leads to anxiety and low self-esteem.

While it is important to maintain a nutritious diet and exercise daily, taking it to the extreme can lead to disastrous consequences. While trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle is fundamental, remember moderation is key.

"I try my best to eat healthy and workout when I can to stay in shape," said Chloe Gergeceff (10).

Try to exercise daily and eat healthy. But it is necessary to allow the body rest. It is okay to take a few days off from exercising and to enjoy a couple of cookies once in a while.