The media continues to be a core element in any society. As such, many people tend to rely on it for information, news, entertainment, and knowledge. However, in the quest to promote products and specific narratives the media has gone ahead to create false perspectives particularly in relation to body image. The media over the years has been at the forefront of selling ideal body shapes and sizes (Harrison, 2016). This has continually led to low self-esteem and misplaced desire to achieve such bodies which has significant adverse effects on the health of individuals. Through well-edited images and use manipulation software, the media sells idealistic images that are forcing vulnerable audiences to go to extreme and dangerous ends to achieve such bodies.
The media has diversified over the years with the emergence of social media that has been propelled by technological advancements as well as internet connectivity. This has seen many people join social media platforms through social media applications made by various developers. Popular platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumbler due to their photo and message sharing abilities have seen the said ideal body images being championed. Many female models have emerged as the proponents of fitness and fitness but through a commercial angle and not necessarily from the point of genuine health information. As such, many vulnerable consumers of such information focus on achieving the advertising ideal body images (Morris & Katzman, 2003). Many women and girls have fallen prey to fraudulent, false advertising selling ridiculous diet remedies that in the long run lead to health challenges in once healthy individuals. The mainstream media is linked to the vulnerability of society to many body image-related health challenges (Morris & Katzman, 2003). For instance, statistics indicate that many people are couch potatoes who have become addicted to television shows or other benefits that the media have to offer. According to Statista (2018), an average American spends 22.5 hours watching television on a weekly basis. 30% of the content on TV airtime constitutes TV commercials and advertisements. It is established that an average minor consumes 20,000 TV advertisements annually (Statista, 2018). These statistics are worrying and highlight why TVs continue to wield influence in various households.
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Many people especially women and girls have developed eating disorders which are said to have increased by 400% since 1970 (Harrison, 2016). The eating disorders are brought about by the desire to achieve slender shapes as sold on the media. The disorders put women in a precarious making the affected parties have low self-esteem and other mental disorders. Many youths are struggling with body images, which is also fuelled by the desire to fit in within their social circles. It is this pressure that forces them to take drastic measures that are disastrous.
Despite the ideal body image issues being associated with women, now men are struggling with these challenges. Recent studies have seen men struggling to lose weight, enhance their body structure, gain muscles or achieve a slender frame. Research indicates that 50% of men desire to achieve body goals of their favorite male celebrities or models. 25% indicated that they sought to achieve their ideal body with the intent of improving their intimate lives. 10% desired a new look while 15% wanted to achieve good health (Statista, 2018). It is evident that the media has managed to impact both genders.
In conclusion, there is a need to have an honest conversation with the stakeholders in the media industry and society in general. There should be concerted efforts to appreciate diversity and different body sizes. It is only through embracing flaws and all body sizes that more members of the society can be protected from disorders brought about by body image issues. Moving forward, the media will be required to regulate its content while social structures such as schools encouraged employing curricula that celebrate authenticity and objectivity.
References
Harrison, K. (2016). Media, Body Image, and Eating Disorders. The Routledge International Handbook of Children, Adolescents and Media . doi:10.4324/9780203366981.ch27
Morris, A. M., & Katzman,, D. K. (2003). The impact of the media on eating disorders in children and adolescents. Paediatric Child Health , 8 (5), 287-289. doi:10.4135/9781412952606.n126
Statista. (2018). Average weekly time spent watching live TV in the U.S. 2018 . Retrieved from https://www.statista.com/statistics/707084/time-spent-live-tv/
