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The Media's Influence on Body Image

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A person's body image, or how they perceive themselves, is created and influenced by many contributing factors. As young, developing, children we watch our parents and try to imitate their behaviors and beliefs so that we can be just like them. A young girl may watch her mother put on makeup daily, dry and curl her hair until it is just right, or even change her outfit several times before deciding on the perfect one. A young boy may watch his father meticulously as he lathers up and shaves his face, dabs on a little cologne, and ties the perfect knot on his tie. These seemingly harmless daily interactions shape impressionable children, and teach them that appearances are important as they begin to develop their own body image (Dohnt & Tiggemann, 2006). Eventually, a child begins to grow up and no longer idolizes just their parents. They turn to other people as role models. Sports stars, singers, musicians, actors, and cartoon characters become the aspiration, and suddenly children desire to do things differently in order to be like their new idol. But what happens when puberty kicks in, their body begins to change, and the child feels as if their body doesn't measure up to their idols' appearance that is constantly being displayed by the media? The answer is a higher risk of developing negative body image, which in turn, may lead to an assortment of future mental and physical health problems. These health problems include depression, anxiety, isolation, shame, as well as unhealthy weight-control methods. These weight-control methods may include weight loss pills, fad diets, protein supplements, and eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia (Field, Cheung, Wolf, Herzog, Gortmaker, & Colditz, 1999). Within the last few decades, numerous studies have been conducted to determine the overall impact the media has on an individual's body image and psychological health. These studies usually focus on one of three different age groups. The groups include preadolescents, adolescents or young adults, and adults. Beginning during preadolescence, children begin to create an identity for themselves and who they want to be when they get older. In one study, by Harrison & Hefner, (2006), 257 second, third, and fourth graders from three different schools participated in a multi year study. Questions were privately asked regarding their exposure to media outlets, current and future body ideals, and demographics. Drawings of body outlines were used for questions pertaining to body ideals to make it easier for younger children. The purpose of the study was to test the relationship between preadolescent girls and their exposure to television and magazines, and identify whether or not the media variable would be predictors of current body ideals, and future body ideals (Harrison & Hefner, (2006). The results concluded that the participants did prefer a thinner body, and that their average future body ideal was thinner than what is usually considered normal weight. However, the children had two body ideals, their current body as a child, and what they want to look like as an adult. Their ideal body currently, was average in size, where as their future ideal body was much thinner. The amount of television exposure "predicted internalization of a thin adult body ideal, most likely due to thin adult women being praised on television  (Harrison & Hefner, 2006) as well as a slew of diet and weight loss advertisements, and it was correct. Limitations of the study include a lack of distinguishing between adult-directed television and child-directed television, which may or may not affect the number of body ideal and weight loss advertisements shown. These results indicate that even preadolescents are greatly impacted and influenced by the media's portrayal of body ideals. If the media continues to portray perfection and success as unnaturally thin celebrities etc., preadolescents will continue this desire into

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