Epidemiological studies have suggested that the incidence of eating disorders among adolescent girls has increased over the last 50 years. The reported prevalence rate for anorexia nervosa is 0.48% among girls 15 to 19 years old. Approximately 1% to 5% of adolescent girls meet the criteria for bulimia nervosa.
Today, more than ever, adolescents are prone to concerns about their weight, shape, size and body image, and as a result, diet to lose weight (–). Little is known about how these body image- and weight-related concerns arise. These behaviours have been suggested as possible risk factors for the development of eating disorders. Many researchers have hypothesized that the media may play a central role in creating and intensifying the phenomenon of body dissatisfaction and consequently, may be partly responsible for the increase in the prevalence of eating disorders.This paper reviews some of the evidence regarding the influence of the media on the development of an adolescent’s self-perception, body image, weight concerns and weight control practices. In addition, we examine how media content might be attended to and positively incorporated into the lives of children and adolescents.
EFFECTS ON WOMEN. 69% of girls in one study said that magazine models influence their idea of the perfect body shape. (1) Exposure to the “ideal” body images has been found to lower women's satisfaction with their own attractiveness. (1) The average U.S. Woman is 5’4” and weighs 140 pounds whereas the average U.S. Method 1: Using the Statistics Script. With Photoshop running, choose File Scripts Statistics (see Figure 4) to start the Statistics application. Figure 4 The Statistics script is loaded from the Photoshop Scripts menu. The Statistics application is fairly simple (see Figure 5 ). Using the Browse button.
TYPES OF MEDIA EXPOSUREToday’s children and adolescents grow up in a world flooded with the mass media (television, films, videos, billboards, magazines, movies, music, newspapers, fashion designers and the Internet) (,). Staggering statistics reveal that, on average, a child or adolescent watches up to 5 h of television per day and spends an average of 6 to 7 h viewing the various media combined.Over the past 20 years, several articles have proposed a link between the thin female beauty ideal and the muscular male body ideal portrayed in the media with a range of psychological symptomatology including body dissatisfaction and eating disorders. Studies have reported a significant change in the weight and size of female and male models portrayed throughout the media in western society and the concept of the ‘perfect or ideal body’ (–). Over time the cultural ideal for women’s body size and shape has become considerably thinner and leaner and men’s body size and shape has become stronger and more muscular. This is best illustrated in a study by Katzmarzyk and Davis who examined changes in the body weight and shape of Playboy centerfolds over two decades (1978–1998). They found that there was a significant decrease in the models’ body weights and measurements, with 70% of the women being underweight and greater than 75% of the women were less than 85% of their ideal body weight.
![Statistics On Photoshop In Magazines Statistics On Photoshop In Magazines](http://cisofpa.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/mediabody-images.jpg)
A similar study looking at male centerfold models in Playgirl magazine from 1973 to 1997 found that male models had become significantly more muscular over time. Guillen and Barr focused on the messages in a popular magazine for adolescent girls and found that between 1970 to 1990 the emphasis on fitness increased, and the body shape of models reported a trend toward more androgynous-looking bodies.These cultural standards may well explain, in part, why many adolescents are preoccupied with their bodies and dissatisfied with their body image, and are willing to try a variety of dangerous weight-loss practices in their quest for the perfect body. MEDIA AND BODY DISSATISFACTION IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTSResearch studies have shown that young people frequently report body dissatisfaction, with adolescent girls experiencing more body dissatisfaction than boys (,). Adolescent girls generally want to weigh less, while adolescent boys want to be bigger and stronger. A meta-analysis of 25 studies involving female subjects, examined the effect of exposure to media images of the slender body ideal. Body image was significantly more negative after viewing thin media images than after viewing images of either average size models, plus size models or inanimate objects.
This effect was found to be stronger in women younger than 19 years of age.Tiggemann et al studied body concerns in adolescent girls (aged 16 years old) and attempted to understand the underlying motivations for their wish to be thin. The factor exerting the strongest pressure to be thin was the media. Despite the fact that these adolescent girls clearly articulated a desire to be thinner, they also described how this did not necessarily mean they were dissatisfied with their bodies. The authors found that the girls had a surprisingly well-developed understanding of the media and its possible role in influencing self-image. The authors suggested that this understanding may serve to moderate against overwhelming media forces. WHAT TO DO ABOUT THE MEDIAThe literature confirms that children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable to messages and images conveyed through the mass media.
Many children and adolescents cannot discriminate between what they see and what is real. For instance, young people are often unaware that digital technology and manipulation in the fashion industry use air brush and digital enhancement to portray the ‘ideal’ female and male body. These images promote unrealistic standards that are impossible to achieve.Physicians should regularly inquire about media involved behaviours including television watching, video watching, the use of video games, time spent in front of the computer and listening to radio programs, and types of magazines read. Health care providers, parents, teachers, school officials and other professionals should be aware of the kinds of programs that young people are exposed to, the content of the programs and the media-associated health risks. Those concerned about the media’s negative impact on body image, self-esteem, food, dieting and eating disorders need to consider a number of different interventions such as health communication campaigns, entertainment education, media advocacy and media literacy training. Such interventions need to be evaluated with respect to the media’s portrayal of the idealized and unattainable images of beauty that young people are exposed to and its impact on disordered eating behaviours and eating disorders.Media literacy, an example of such an intervention, is a process of understanding and using mass media and has been shown to help young people evaluate program and advertising content more critically.
In particular, media education interventions have revealed a decrease in the harmful effects of media violence and alcohol advertising on children and adolescents. Media education programs have been included in the school curricula in some schools in Canada and may include media activism and media advocacy.
Again, this has not been evaluated with respect to eating disorders. Another very important objective of media literacy is educating and empowering parents to evaluate media content critically.
Parents can be powerful advocates for the promotion of health and healthy behaviours by way of the media.While the media may contribute to the development of weight concerns and body dissatisfaction in children and adolescents, we cannot disregard the fact that media can also be used as an important tool for health promotion and prevention strategies. Longitudinal research, especially with children and young adolescents, is needed to learn more about how media content is attended to, interpreted, and incorporated into the healthy development of our children and adolescents.
Meredith collects data to deliver the best content, services, and personalized digital ads. We partner with third party advertisers, who may use tracking technologies to collect information about your activity on sites and applications across devices, both on our sites and across the Internet.You always have the choice to experience our sites without personalized advertising based on your web browsing activity by visiting the, the, and/or the, from each of your browsers or devices. To avoid personalized advertising based on your mobile app activity, you can install the. You can find much more information about your privacy choices in. You can make a at any time. Even if you choose not to have your activity tracked by third parties for advertising services, you will still see non-personalized ads on our site.By clicking continue below and using our sites or applications, you agree that we and our third party advertisers can:.
transfer your personal data to the United States or other countries, and. process your personal data to serve you with personalized ads, subject to your choices as described above and in.