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According to Neumark-Steiner, “over one-half of teenage girls and nearly one-third of teenage boys use unhealthy weight control behaviors such as skipping meals, fasting, smoking cigarettes, vomiting, and taking laxatives” (as cited in National Eating Disorder Association, n.d.). As adolescence become more and more exposed to advertising and other media outlets that portray beautiful body in the form of a skinny physique, , especially for girls, then their desire to achieve such form become even stronger at the expense of their own health. Being underweight is an important issue to discuss because it is associated with several health risks. This includes anemia, menstrual irregularities, osteoporosis, hair loss, weak immune system, irregular hormone regulation, and many others (Gidus, 2008). What makes this matter far more concerning is the fact that girls often idolize underweight women because they are portrayed to be sexy, famous, glamorous, and more admirable than those who have healthy weight. For instance, Victoria Secret, the famous company offering lingerie and other apparels for women, has been known for showcasing its models who are mostly underweight (BMI of less than 18.5). Some of these models include Behati Prinsloo (BMI is17.1), Miranda Kerr (BMI is 16.8) and Adriana Lima (BMI is 17.6) (Fleming, n.d.). Because of how the media portrays these models and other celebrities, teenagers are at risk of dysmorphia, a factor that promotes the development of eating disorders. Dysmorphia is “a condition in which there is dissatisfaction with body appearance” (Gross, 2015). Aside from weight issues, dysmorphia may also lead to suicidal tendency. According to Danice Eaton of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "Suicide ideation was more likely even among students whose perceptions of body size deviated only slightly from `about the right weight" (as cited in Arak, 2005). Indeed, the media plays a significant role in forming the body image of teenage girls. Through a survey, this research papers aims to explore the extent at which a teenage girl’s body image is affected by the media and how this effect possibly leads to the development of eating disorders.
References
Arak, J. (2005). Body image issues and teen suicide. CBS News. Retrieved from http://www.cbsnews.com/news/body-image-issues-and-teen-suicide/
Fleming, A. (n.d.). Require Victoria’s Secret models to have a BMI of 18.5 or higher. Change.org. Retrieved from https://www.change.org/p/leslie-wexner-require-victoria-s-secret-models-to-have-a-bmi-of-18-5-or-higher
Gidus, T. (2008). Dangers of underweight. Healthline. Retrieved from http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/diet-diva/dangers-underweight
Gross, G. (2015). Celebrity influence on your teen’s body image. Huffpost Parents. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-gail-gross/celebrity-influence-on-your-teens-body-image_b_7233856.html
National Eating Disorder Association (n.d.). Get the facts on eating disorders. NEDA. Retrieved from https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/get-facts-eating-disorders
