Obesity is one of the challenges that the US faces today. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2018), 36.5% of American adults are obese. Obesity exposes individuals to a number of health complications. In an effort to tackle obesity and other disorders that result from unhealthy eating habits, the scholarly community has conducted investigations. The investigations have revealed that Hollywood television shows are partly to blame for the culture of eating disorders in the US (Harris & Bargh, 2009). Keeping up with the Joneses is an example of a television show that endorses and encourages unhealthy eating behaviors. It is important to understand that there are some shows that promote healthy eating habits. Among these shows is Fed Up, a documentary that highlights the state of obesity in the United States and the factors responsible for this problem.
Keeping up with the Joneses
Message conveyed
The introduction above has identified Keeping up with Joneses as among the movies that encourage eating disorders. The movie achieves this through the portrayal of the ‘thin ideal’. The movie contains a scene where a group of men appear to idolize Natalie portrayed by Gal Gadot. It is clear that she is being idolized because she is tall and thin. The other women in the scene display jealousy and a desire for a similar body. While the larger plot of the movie is noble, this particular scene endorses being thin and tall. It is indeed unfortunate that Keeping up with the Jonesses is not alone in challenging audiences to adopt unhealthy eating behaviors. Hollywood shows are notorious for encouraging unhealthy habits. Bethonie Butler authored an informative article that explores how Hollywood has failed to discharge its mandate of sensitizing the public on the need for healthy eating habits. In the article, Butler wonders whether it is possible for Hollywood to release films which address eating disorders without glamorizing them (Butler, 2017). Butler’s questions highlight the lack of commitment among film producers. Even when they decide to produce films that highlight such eating disorders as anorexia, these producers end up glamorizing these disorders. Given the impact that the eating disorders have on human health, it goes without saying that Hollywood needs to be objective in its depiction of eating disorders.
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Impact on audiences
Audiences watching the movie may be moved to embrace the unrealistic standards of beauty. In their defense, the creators of Keeping up with the Joneses may contend that the film is merely intended to entertain. However, when one reviews existing research, they are able to understand that films have a real effect on the lifestyles of audiences. People, especially the young and impressionable, tend to adopt the ways of life that are depicted in film. In a hard-hitting article, Hollie McKay charges that television shows which focus on characters who are overweight compound the obesity problem in the United States (McKay, 2010). McKay’s assertions indicate that films and shows do indeed have a real effect on audiences. Therefore, those watching Keeping up with the Joneses may be tempted to adopt extreme behaviors in an effort to achieve the thin ideal that the film promotes.
The impact on the audience goes beyond encouraging unhealthy habits. The show could also erode the levels of confidence and esteem of the audience. Research suggests that when exposed to unrealistic standards of beauty, individuals may suffer low self-esteem and lose confidence in their own bodies. For example, Alexander Howell and Ann Paulins (2016) carried out a study to investigate the impact of the pressure to attain ideal beauty standards has on women. The results of this study are worrying. These researchers noted that the women go extreme lengths such as tanning to boost their confidence and meet the beauty standard (Howell & Paulins, 2016). They add that the women disregard health risks in their pursuit of the perfect skin tone. These findings point to the real danger that glamorous depiction of unhealthy habits have on audiences. Hollywood films such as Keeping up with the Joneses can erode the self-esteem of the audiences to such an extent that the audiences resort to dangerous and extremely unhealthy behaviors.
Most vulnerable groups
It is true that most members of the audience that watches Keeping up with the Joneses are wise enough to understand that the beauty standards conveyed in the film are unrealistic. However, there are certain segments of the audience that are vulnerable and likely to be persuaded to pursue the standards promoted in the film. For example, teenage girls are known to be vulnerable and impressionable (Romo, Mireles-Rios & Hurtado, 2015). A 13 year old girl watching Natalie would also want to be tall and thin. In the pursuit of this ideal, the girl could starve herself or stay clear of foods that add mass.
The discussion above has identified young girls as among the groups that are most vulnerable to adopting unhealthy habits as a result of pressure from such films as Keeping up with the Joneses. Ethnic minorities are another group which could yield to pressure to pursue the ideal beauty standards. Stock (2014) authored an article that focuses on the link between race, ethnicity and the pressure to conform to beauty standards. He notes that “the potential impact of European standards of beauty are perhaps most significant for black men and women, who are increasingly exposed to messages that light skin, straight hair, a thin nose and lips, and light colored eyes, are beautiful” (Stock, 2014, p. 294). This observation that Stock makes is significant. It highlights the immense pressure that black and minority individuals face. Audiences from these groups are therefore likely to seek the unrealistic standards that Keeping up with the Joneses promotes.
Fed Up
While Keeping up with the Joneses promotes habits that could cause eating disorders, Fed Up challenges audiences to adopt healthy practices. This documentary-style show highlights how obesity poses a serious threat to the health of millions of people in the US. The film notes that obesity particularly affects young people who make up a significant proportion of the obese population in the country. The show also highlights the failure of the government to take action. It offers the example of the Bush government which failed to heed the call from the World Health Action to tackle obesity. Fed Up also focuses on the impact that parents have on the health of their children. It blames parents for encouraging their children to adopt such unhealthy practices as consuming junk food. Another important issue that Fed Up addresses is the impact that obesity has on the lives of individuals. One of the children featured in the show laments that obesity has kept him from pursuing such interests as sports. Overall, Fed Up sheds light on the devastating impacts of obesity and unhealthy eating habits. It challenges audiences to embrace healthy eating and active lifestyles. In the discussion that follows, a look at how the film challenges one’s perspectives on health and eating disorders is offered.
Promotion of healthy behaviors
Fed Up is as thought-provoking as it is insightful. The creators of this film must have intended to challenge their audiences to move away from unhealthy habits. To achieve this, the creators focus on the hardships that obese individuals endure. They share the experiences of Brady Kluge, a 15 year old overweight boy. Kluge laments that as a result of his being overweight, he is the subject of constant ridicule and bullying. His story is indeed heart-breaking. Kluge represents the millions of young children who suffer abuse and mockery for their weight. Through Kluge’s story, Fed Up manages to persuade the audience to be wary of unhealthy eating habits and lifestyles.
Highlighting the immense benefits that healthy habits deliver is another way that Fed Up challenged my perspectives on eating disorders. This film shows a number of young obese and overweight children who are trying to improve their lives. They eat healthier foods, abandon sedentary lifestyles and embrace physical activity. As one watches these children, they are forced to sympathize with them. This is because the children appear to be enduring great discomfort and pain. However, the film reminds the viewer that pain and discomfort is the price that one must pay for health. If people who are obese and overweight are to become healthier, they must make difficult decisions. This film underscores the importance of courage and determination. It allows one to understand that losing weight may call for radical measures. The film also challenges the audience to recognize that weight-loss initiatives may be unsuccessful. Even when they do not lose as much weight as they would like, individuals should keep their eyes on their ultimate objectives. The film shares with audiences the experiences of a 12 year old girl who weighs an outstanding 212 pounds. The girl opens up and states that she feels frustrated when she sees no decline in her weight despite her extreme weight loss program. She engages in brisk walks and also swims in a desperate attempt to shed weight. The girl’s dedication is inspiring and reminds one that weight loss takes time and requires effort.
One of the key issues that Fed Up examines is the role that misinformation plays in encouraging unhealthy habits. The film examines the history of physical exercise and notes that in past years, people were advised to stay clear of exercise. Medical practitioners warned that exercise could adversely affect one’s sex drive. Moreover, physical exercise was considered to be taboo. It took the work of a scholar who conducted a study that established the benefits of physical exercise to convince the American nation to embrace exercise. Fed Up suggests that false information can accelerate unhealthy habits. The film has opened my eyes to the need to seek accurate and reliable information. Today, there are various movements that promise transformational health solutions. For example, a wave of organic foods is sweeping the US. These foods are presented as the solution to the obesity and other health problems that the US has grappled with for decades. Fed Up would challenge one to treat suspect information with caution. The film also reminds individuals of the importance of conducting research and dismissing false information.
In conclusion, the producers of media content have a responsibility to inform, educate and sensitize their audiences. There are a number of producers who are focusing their shows on healthy behaviors. However, a majority of the producers have neglected their mandate. Keeping up with the Joneses is an example of a film whose producers impose pressure on audiences to strive for unrealistic beauty standards. Young girls and individuals from minority communities are most likely to yield to the pleasure. It is encouraging that such films as Fed Up are responding to the obesity crisis in the US. This film presents effective weight loss strategies and highlights the health risks that obesity possesses. Film producers should join the creators of Fed Up in challenging audiences to adopt healthy behaviors.
References
Butler, B. (2017). Can you make a Movie about Eating Disorders without Glamorizing them? Retrieved March 23, 2018 from http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/movies/ct-to-the-bone-glamorizing-eating-disorders-20170710-story.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2018). Adult Obesity Facts. Retrieved March 18, 2018 from https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html
Harris, J. L., & Bargh, J. A. (2009). The Relationship between Television Viewing and Unhealthy Eating: Implications for Children and Media Interventions . Health Communication, 24 (7), 660-673.
Howell, A. L., & Paulins, P. V. (2016). Women’s Motives for Engaging in Long-Term Habitual Indoor Tanning. Journal of Family & Consumer Sciences, 108 (4),
23-30.
McKay, H. (2010). Do Shows Focusing on Overweight Characters further Obesity Problem? Retrieved March 23, 2018 from http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2010/09/16/shows-focusing-overweight-characters-obesity-problem.html
Romo, L. F., Mireles-Rios, R., & Hurtado, A. (2015). Culture, Media and Peer Influences on Body Beauty Perceptions of Mexican American Adolescent Girls. Journal of Adolescent Research, 31 (4), 474-501.
Stock, N. M. (2014). Culture Clash: Appearance Concerns in Black and Minority Ethnic Groups. Journal of Aesthetic Nursing, 3 (7), 294-5. Retrieved March 23, 2018 from http://eprints.uwe.ac.uk/23940/1/Culture%20clash.pdf
