So people see these impossibly beautiful people in magazines and web sites, and think they have to look like that. And then when they don't, they feel ugly. Then go on crazy diets and workout routeing. This results in eating disorders, depression, and so many other negative situations.
In the U.K., studies show that children as young as 5 are thinking about going on a diet. B-eat estimates that 1.6 million people in the UK have an eating disorder, with Anorexia Nervosa affecting 1 in every 100 girls between girls between 15 and 30. 30% of all anorexia suffers will have long term illness, but eating disorders aren't the only horrendous bi-product of bad body image. Self harm and depression are also huge worries.
So, how can we stop this? We need to change our attitudes towards our bodies. Skinny doesn't always mean happy, and as a wise friend of mine once said, "I'd rather be ugly, fat, and broke and happy than beautiful, skinny, and rich and miserable."
Everyone needs to look at these pro-anorexia websites, and think, Really? Is that healthy? And we need to take everyone's views on this subject with a pinch of salt. Because who can define perfection? Only you. And if you're happy with how you look, why do you care what other people have to say?
Article comments
1 - Publius
Please ladies, give it a rest. I'm not unsympathetic; and I wholeheartedly agree about the pro-ana sites. Keep in mind though that men are judged on the size of their wallets by hypergamous women.
2 - jane eirye
i like this article its actually gonna help me alot i think