media and anorexia
...azines, newspapers, and billboards. Magazines vary from celebrity magazines to fitness magazines. According to the website About-Face, “400-600 advertisements bombard us everyday in magazines, on billboards, on tv, and in newspapers. One in eleven has a direct message about beauty, not even counting the indirect messages”(Dittrich, 2004). Images seen in magazines are more often than not almost perfect. People who read such magazines automatically feel more and more insecure. Although these photographs of celebrities or models can deceive readers into believing that it is possible to attain such bodies, they are mostly computer edited and enhanced to attain perfection. Photoshop, a software program used by many companies is capable of altering the width of models or celebrities’ hips or waist (Mehta & Sparling, 2005). Another type of magazine is Fitness Magazines. Surprisingly, Health and Fitness magazines are Print Media and Anorexia 4 considered to be the most effective medium wherein ones body image is negatively affected (Mayer, 2002). Because of the rampant exposure of images there is no doubt that a sudden presence of insecurity towards ones body image increases, thus making mental and physical sicknesses occur. Amongst the many is Anorexia nervosa. As mentioned earlier, Anorexia is a fruit of a distorted body image; therefore it is possible to relate such sickness to Media’s influence to society, mainly women. In addition, it is important to take note that, Society does not directly expect women to be thin. Advertisements do not want their buyers to be Anorexic, but what they present boils down to how little girls and women interpret the images presented to them. People are always seeking after the perfect body because this is what media shows. To be more specific, mostly women are the ones pressured to live up to the standards of societies representations. In the end, being accepted or “in” is very much related to ones physical appearance (Claude-Pierre, 1997). ANOREXIA IN ITSELF After going through the possible causes of Anorexia, it is relevant to tackle the issue itself. It is imperative to be aware of the symptoms of Anorexia. There are obvious symptoms that can easily be depicted. Initially, ones continuous concern for their weight and how they look is a sign of a possible case. The refusal to eat and the denial of ones hunger can also lead to being anorexic. Furthermore, an attitude problem arises when it comes to gaining weight (Chua, 2001). At times, Anorexia is still preventive when noticed right away. Having good relations between family and friends can help enhance ones self- esteem. Simple acts of Print Media and Anorexia 5 exchanging compliments and making one feel secure is very beneficial for ones development. It is important to let the person know that ones inner character is far more important as compared to ones physical traits (Chua, 2001). Moreover, there are physical and behavioral effects when someone is considered anorexic. The physical effects have to do with a large amount of weight loss, pale body, decrease in the immune system, lack of water to hydrate the body, fragile bones, and spontaneous fainting. When speaking of Emotional or Behavioral effects of Anorexia, it is not easy for one to think of anything else besides weight, it is most likely that one will keep distant from others, it is most probable that one will loose patience easily and it is common that one will resort to drugs and alcohol to fill up ones system instead of food (Help Guide, 2004). In spite of all the causes and effects of Anorexia, it is not a hopeless case once the person seeks professional help immediately. As a result, Treating Anorexia is not a simple task. There are several stages that the patient goes through during the healing process. Treating the body is the initial step. The nutrients and fluids that are lacking in the persons system gradually return to normal with the help of proper eating habits and special medicines. Regaining the strength lost and returning to ones ideal bodyweight is another stage. After ones body has rejuvenated, the person is still considered Anorexic until mental stability is present. The last stage is psychological therapy. This stage is considered to be the most crucial because it entails discipline and the want to recover (Castillo, 2001). After going through the process, one does not automatically return to a normal lifestyle, adjustments will take place in public Print Media and Anorexia 6 and at home. Adjustments like setting a healthy diet that sustains the energy in the body and disciplining oneself in order to cooperate with the everyday needs of ones body. SIGNIFICANCE OF TACKLING THE ISSUE BETWEEN MEDIA AND ANOREXIA The importance to inform women about media’s influence on their ...