Aligato, Jessi Anne Nakol, V.

Comm2, C2, 10:00 11:30 AM

2013-69505

April 7, 2015
Media Involvement and the Idea of Beauty

Some people often think about their image if it is acceptable or not in the society. The
media feeds the society with images of the ideal appearance of a person and the idea that people
who can obtain the medias standard of an acceptable body image can have better lives and more
opportunities. In order for some people to be accepted in society, some of them have
inappropriate eating behaviors that are dangerous for their health. A person can have an eating
disorder; compulsive eating behavior that can be life threatening, and disordered eating; when a
person develops a structured way of dealing with food. These behaviors are both affected by
body image dissatisfaction of an individual and it may also stem from a distorted body image
where individuals view themselves as larger (fatter) or smaller (thinner) than what they look like
in reality. The very consistent source of the ideal body image is the media; print, television,
radio, etc.
Since then, culture has dictated the desired female image. In western cultures, being
slender is the ideal body shape of a woman. The media tells women that to achieve the ideal
body image; one must be in control, happy, attractive, wealthy and successful. This article will
help us understand the influence of media on the development of standards of physical
appearance especially for females. The purpose of this article is to illustrate the medias powerful
impact to the readers on developing images of the ideal self.

The first section explained is the print media. Magazines frequently feature thin and
slender pictures of men and women in their cover photos. These images became ubiquitous and
their perception of the ideal body image is being supported. Nowadays, teenagers depend their
fashion choices from the information in magazines. Visual media greatly influences the
perception of body image. According to the study conducted at West Virginia University, females
who view pictures of thin models ideal body had significantly higher levels of private selfconsciousness, body competence and state anxiety. Media promoting these images give pressure
to young women which results to unhealthy eating habits. In the second and third section of the
article, television and other forms of media have much more impact to the people because the
images now are moving and surreal. Some commercials also support the use of laxatives for
weight loss, with women saying that taking the product makes her feel better.
I agree that when I was still young, we are already influenced by the cartoon characters
we watch on televisions. We were bombarded with images of female princesses and superheroes
that are physically fit and in a particular body shape. Those perfect-looking characters always
end up winning the prince or the prize. A related study from the University of Michigan showed
that being attracted to thin characters positively predicted eating-disorder symptoms such as
anorexia, bulimia, and drive for thinness, perfectionism, and ineffectiveness. As a woman, I can
relate to the article because I am also very conscious about my body shape and how desperately I
want to look like a Victorias Secret Angel model. But I think they also

.These factors greatly

illustrate how influential media can be to the appearance of body image of a person.

Media can truly be a very powerful device to influence people in various ways. In this
matter, young women must consider some things before acquiring the so called acceptable body
image. I think not all fitness activities can be damaging; it just depends on how you handle
yourself. I also think that everyone can be whoever they want to be as long as the process is
ethical and harmless. In the end we are the captain of our own ship so it is still in our own
decision if we let ourselves be influenced by the media.

References
Jambor, E.(2001), Media involvement and the idea of beauty, Eating Disorders In Women
And Children, p. 179-182, Retrieved from: www.google.com.ph/books
Baker-Dennis,A. and Sansone, R. A., Overview of eating disorders,anorexia nervosa,
bulimia nervosa, and related disorders, Lauraete, 2, 7, 1997.
Kalodner, C.R.,Media influences on male and female non-eating-disordered college
students: a significant issue, Eating Disorders: The Journal of Treatment and Prevention, 5(1),
47,1997.
Wertheim, E. H.,Paxton,S. J., Schutz, H. K., and Muir, S. L., Why do adolescent girls
watch their weight? An interview study examining sociocultural pressures to be thin, Journal of
Psychosomatic Research, 42(4), 345,1997.
Harrison,K., The relationship between media consumption and eating disorders, Journal
of Communication,12, 98, 1997.
Cusumano, D. L., and Thompson, J. K., Body image and body shape ideals in magazines:
exposure, awareness, and internalizations, Sex Roles, 37,(9-10), 701,1997.
Posavac, H. D., Posavac, S. S., and Posavac, E. J., Exposure to media images of female
attractiveness and concern with body weight among young women, Sex Roles,38(3-4), 187,1998.
Robert-McComb, J., Clopton, J., Jambor, E., and Weekes, E., Explanatory variance in
bulimia. Study conducted at Texas Tech University, Lubbock, 1997.