Unrealistic Body Image

Body image is “An intellectual or idealized image of what one 's body is or should be like that is sometimes misconceived in such mental disorders anorexia nervosa” (dictionary.com). All genders around the world struggle to impress themselves and others with body image. In a world that promotes unrealistic body images, it is very difficult not to compare yourself with these unrealistic standards. According to Glamour magazines in the United States, 40% of women are unhappy with their body image (Dreisbach, 2009). Female models have been getting thinner and thinner over the past 100 years. A century ago, the ideal body shape for a woman was fleshy and full-figured. And while models are getting thinner, more women and younger girls are feeling unhappy about their own natural body shapes. "It has been estimated that Americans spend over $35 billion dollars each year on weight loss products."(Weight Loss Advertising, 2002). Today people will do whatever they can to make themselves skinny because that

A healthy body image means that you are happy with the way you look and aren’t trying to change your body because of others. Being unhappy with your body can lead to complicated issues including mental health problems like eating disorders, mood disorders or personality disorders. Researchers found that people who have a poor body image are more likely to get body dysmorphic disorder, eating disorder (such as bulimia or anorexia.)A good example of this is the Barbie doll. Most girls are introduced to this image at the toddler stage. Barbie is tall, thin, with large breasts, and a very tiny waist. Her image is supposed to represent beauty, and the media tells young girls that if they want to be loved and successful, they must be beautiful like Barbie. For many years now, Barbie has been criticized for causing low self-esteem in many