Culture, media plays active role in determining 'ideal' body types

You may be running on the treadmill trying to reach your 400 calorie goal when the news flashes on the TV of a woman drinking cow fat. At a young age, the woman's mother force-fed her cow fat because she knew she would be more attractive to men if she were heavier. In this culture, men prefer their women to be "heavy," said the CNN reporter on the TV Our own media has shown us the exact opposite image that is the standard which to live by.

It takes a lot to realize and accept the role that society and media play in our day-to-day lives.

Every morning we wake up and take part in the routine that prepares us to enter the world. But this routine is more difficult for some than others with constant standards of what it is to be considered beautiful, smart, in shape, or even intelligent.

Mona Anderson, counselor and coordinator of sexual assault and sexual harassment at the Counseling Center agreed.

"The culture plays a huge role in making us feel as though we're never good enough, not thin enough, not smart enough, not pretty enough, etc. Even when we know that the models in magazines, for example, have been air-brushed to look like that, it still sets us up to strive for that," said Anderson.

According to Anderson, the counseling center is very busy with people looking to talk about issues related to body image.

"There are a variety of issues that students come to counseling [sessions] for, including depression, anxiety, relationships, grief, eating disorders and self esteem," said Anderson.

It is estimated that eight million Americans have an eating disorder, yet only one in 10 people with eating disorders receive treatment, according to Nervosa and Related Eating Disorders Incorporated. One of the third most common chronic illnesses among adolescents is Anorexia.

"These diseases vary from person to person. Sometimes someone develops an eating disorder by dieting first. Other times, bulimic behaviors are a way to cope," said Anderson.

For many, the feelings of insecurity over our physical appearance controls daily routines.

These negative feelings can lead to worse issues such as a depression, binge eating, anorexia, bulimia and even over excessive exercise.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human services, a negative body image forms a distorted perception of shape and size and you may begin to compare your own body to others. These will resent feelings of shame and anxiety about your body.

These feelings can affect how you think and feel about yourself as a person. A poor body image can lead to emotional distress, low-self esteem, dieting, anxiety, and depression.

Developing a positive body image and a healthy mental attitude is crucial to mental and physical health.

"Body image is a certainly an issue for most people. Our job in the Counseling Center is not to help anyone lose weight. For most people with an eating disorder, weight and food are only the expression of other issues," said Anderson.

Cosmetic and diet product industries will remain prosperous if this standard remains the same. The ideal perfect body is so difficult to achieve and maintain that it's unsurprising how fast the medical field of cosmetic surgery has become.

It's no accident that youth is increasingly promoted, along with thinness, as an essential criterion of beauty.

With shows like The Swan that aired on Fox in 2004 that offers "ugly ducklings" the chance to transform themselves by undergoing plastic surgery. At the end of the show the women compete in a pageant and one is crowned 'The Ultimate Swan."

As if receiving a coach, therapist, trainer, cosmetic surgeon, dentist and stylist weren't enough to make the show a hit they had to end it with a pageant to judge whose transformation was the best, according to a Parents Televisions Council Publication.

There are other shows such a Nip/Tuck or Americas Next Top Model.

The research shows that attractive people are viewed more positively in practically every situation studied, such as education, employment, health care, legal proceedings and romantic encounters.

Twentieth-century communications guru George Gerbner discussed the medias role on body image in an online communications forum.

"What we see on TV and in magazines eventually becomes our standard of reality and desire; failing to meet it is perceived as deficiency," said Gerbner.

Although body image issues weigh heavily on females it can't be forgotten that males too have an identity to live up to.

"Females are more likely to seek help, but many males in our culture also have eating disorders," said Anderson.

The ultimate goal for males is to gain muscle or change eating habits to lose weight. Men, just like women, are aware of their body image from a young age.

Sophomore Nicholas Catsam said, "I like to go to the gym but I don't feel guilty if I don't make it there. It's nice to see results but I know it takes time and dedication. I go to stay in shape not to be the next Arnold Schwarzenegger."

A fashion show run by Tiffany Mathews, Coordinator of Wellness Education for the Center of Health and Wellness, called Project U with the theme "Love Yourself," took place in the Mabel Brown room.

"This is the third time we are running this fashion show and it just keeps getting more popular," said Mathews.

The fashion show includes students, staff and faculty both male and female.

"It's being run to promote a healthy body image and focus on healthy choices for fitness and stress management," said Mathews.

Every model in the fashion show wears jeans as a statement to feel secure in their real genes. Tables were set up for educational information related to healthy choices and stress related issues.

"We try to engage people in their own recovery and healing," said Anderson

This ongoing problem of body image may be around as long as we let society dictate to us what is desirable.