Body Image Disordered Eating Media

Where do our thoughts about our own body image come from? We may compare ourselves to the people around us or to actors and celebs that we see on TV, in movies, or in magazines.

What effect does this have? We don’t usually measure up and feel worse about ourselves.

But are these images that we see even real??? Touch here to see Retouching Retouching

So if the media is partially to blame, is there anything “they” can do to correct it… Dove has tried… (Onslaught, Girls Only: Image Manipulation, Evolution, Girls Only: My Body: Fact or Fiction)

What’s the result if this HUGE problem is ignored? Eating disorders are the third most common chronic illness among teens.

The primary eating disorders that we experience in the U.S. are… Anorexia Nervosa Anorexia Nervosa Bulimia Nervosa Bulimia Nervosa Compulsive Overeating Compulsive Overeating

ANOREXIA severely restricts food intake severely restricts food intake rigid dieting / starvation pattern rigid dieting / starvation pattern unusual eating rituals unusual eating rituals Is often a perfectionist Is often a perfectionist Has feeling of panic after a small weight gain Has feeling of panic after a small weight gain Has frequent bouts with depression. Has frequent bouts with depression.

Bulimia Cycles of bingeing (consuming large amounts of food in a short time) & purging (forced vomiting, laxatives, and/or overexercise) Cycles of bingeing (consuming large amounts of food in a short time) & purging (forced vomiting, laxatives, and/or overexercise) Obsessed with body weight & size Obsessed with body weight & size Hides behavior and avoids meal situations Hides behavior and avoids meal situations Often leave to go to bathroom as soon as meal is over. Often leave to go to bathroom as soon as meal is over. Katherine McPhee, runner-up in American Idol

Compulsive Overeating Disorder Eat very fast, eat when they're not hungry, eat when they're only alone, or eat nearly non-stop throughout the day. Eat very fast, eat when they're not hungry, eat when they're only alone, or eat nearly non-stop throughout the day. Difficult time expressing emotions and coping with situations Difficult time expressing emotions and coping with situations In public, often pretend to diet but stuff themselves in private In public, often pretend to diet but stuff themselves in private Many obesity-related health disorders. Many obesity-related health disorders.

Anabolic Steroid Use Synthetic testosterone Synthetic testosterone In males, causes: ↓ sperm count, ↑ acne, baldness, larger breasts In males, causes: ↓ sperm count, ↑ acne, baldness, larger breasts In females, leads to shrinking of breasts & uterus, deeper voice, loss of period, hair growth on face & body In females, leads to shrinking of breasts & uterus, deeper voice, loss of period, hair growth on face & body May cause “Roid Rage” May cause “Roid Rage”

According to the VT 2007 YRBS (Youth Risk Behavior Survey)

What VT teens did in the last 30 days to control their weight

So don’t get caught up in the vicious circle…