Body Image in Media

Body Image in Media

By Cecilia Sarnowski '22

April 2019

When we look at a magazine, see a movie, or even watch any type of advertisement we are being shown a false image. Yes, the models and actors that are used in these campaigns are often attractive, but they are still edited. Unless the picture or advertisement says directly that there have not been altercations, there were most likely changes made.

There is only something said about body altercations in media when the changes go a little too far. For example, as some of you may remember there was a magazine cover for Seventeen Magazine in which several young woman stood embracing one another. The legs of these models were admittedly slimed and stitched together from several photos. No one would have suspected the altercations except for the fact that one of the models was missing a hand, yes a hand.

According to NCIB 1-5% of American girls between the ages of 15 and 19 suffer from Anorexia Nervosa due to excessive use of social media platforms and other types of media, such as fashion magazines. Although the percentage of girls with this eating disorder seems small the percentage of girls with eating disorders increases when you take other disorders, such as bulimia, ARIFD, and purging disorder into consideration.

As of now I have only spoken about the negative side of the media,but that is about to change. There are ways that media can help us become the best us we can be. For example, if your goal is to work out every day you could have a picture of what you would like your body to look similar to when you reach your goal, however, keep in mind that the picture should be at least somewhat realistic and not overly dramaticized or you may feel a negative effect of body altercations found in media.