Beautiful Me Societal notions of beauty And our perceptions of ourselves.

What are the many ideas of beauty? Which ones are healthy? Which ones are not?

What influences your idea of beauty?

Most runway models meet the body mass index criteria for anorexia, according to an editorial pictorial in the January issue of PLUS Model magazine. Twenty years ago, the average fashion model weighed 8 percent less than the average woman. Today, she weighs 23 percent less, it said. ---abcnews.go.com

What is the fall-out when we allow these influences to rule our self-esteem? Teen athletes are at higher risk for eating disorders. About one-third of teen girls who are athletes show tendencies toward anorexia, and teen boys in sports that focus on body image and weight are also at higher risk -Teenhelp.com -The mean age for the onset of anorexia is years, and the range is from 10 to 25 years. -50% of Anorexics end up developing Bulimia -According to some studies, 5-7% of women in the US will suffer from an eating disorder at some time in their lives. -Youthtruthusa.com

Who decides what the best “you” is? 57% of students in grades 8 through 12 who admitted to using anabolic steroids said professional athletes influenced their decision to use the drugs 80% and 35 % of non- users — said they believed steroids could help them achieve their athletic dreams. Steroid users said they were willing to take extreme risks to reach sports stardom or other athletic goals. …even if it may shorten their life. -msnbe.msn.com

If you lived in another place, another time…

How is artwork affected by society and how can it make comments about society?

Art can challenge our notions of beauty …cause us to question why we think as we do.

Reflect your true beauty? What qualities in you

What makes a “true” portrait instead of one dictated by what society says is beautiful?