Before reading the article, I wondered why in our society we are so obsessed with body image. There maybe many causes: the emphasis on the visual, fashion, health, etc. I really can't pinpoint any definite reason. All I know is that the obsession has led both men and women to both physical and mental unease. How can an individual not be affected by such an onslaught? For me, when I see a constant influx of beautiful, tall, and slim models, I have to keep reminding myself that my body cannot fit into such a mold. I think I would probably have some kind of eating disorder if I hadn't grown up in such a stable environment.
While reading the article, the author listed some of the lengths people go through in order to obtain a "healthy" body. Gastric bypass, constant dieting, dangerous substance (like phen/fen) are all means that could potentially hurt more than help. They are constantly promoted as quick fixes for monetary gain, without regard to actual health. This led me to think about how many of today's "ailments" result from society and/or monetary greed? The propagation of our obsession, I feel, can find its one of its biggest perpetrators in these pharmaceutical corporations. Which is a scary thought.
A relation that the author mentioned really stuck out to me, and involved the intertwining of commodity and popular culture. The rise in use of dietary products in fighting fatness is alarming. And it's not even health concerns that drive this growth. People aren't afraid of obesity--they are afraid of looking obese. In my other women studies class, we read a short science fiction story on how this woman traded her original, fuller body for that of one that is slimmer and more petite. Such body transactions seem to be manifesting right now. We want and expect to get slimmer quicker. The media seems to be saying, "Just buy this, and you'll get the body you want!"
The author goes on to talk about the hostility towards fat, and the context of past views on fat. I know Stephanie mentioned how our perceptions of fat can depend on the economy. In the past, fat was seen as good because the rich used to be fat-- a sign of wealth and fertility. Now, fat is seen as a transgression, illness, and either asexual or extremely sexual/devouring. The hostility seems to be the result of people looking for another way to differentiate and condescend.
On a more positive note, I recently read an interview with Beth Ditto, a great singer who happens to be fat. She seems to embrace her figure and makes no excuses for eating what she wants. She seems happy and has no qualms about who she is. As a woman in the music industry, this is especially admirable, especially with the Jessica Alba's in the world who are considered "curvy" when they are size 0 instead of size 00.
5 comments:
I definitely agree with you! I think it is really sad that the world today focuses more so on how we appear than how we feel. Like you had mentioned, everyone is so caught up in a "quick fix" that he/she does not realize the negative effects such substances may have on the body. Hopefully, the time will come when we are not so preoccupied with the way our body image looks, but rather, how healthy we are on the inside.
I like how you mentioned that people are not afraid of being obese, but rather looking obese. This obsession with the outward appearance rather than the internal and emotional state as we have discussed with other issues can be very damning. Its seems counterintuitive to think that some skinny people die of heart disease and other illness that as seen as affecting larger individuals, Yet as many physicians continue to point out
Just because someone is lean doesn't make them immune to diabetes or other risk factors for heart disease.
One more thing, what is up with the size 0? It is so overrated, 0 implies there is nothing there; empty. I do not mean to put down those women who are naturally size zeros and of course cannot control their size, but I do not see how that number can be so sought after in describing a woman’s size and shape (or lack there of).
"I have to keep reminding myself that my body cannot fit into such a mold."
I love this point! Some people get so caught up trying to fit into society's "ideal" image, they can set unrealistic goals and develop unhealthy habits or even an eating disorder. Here are some thoughts (from the Center for Eating Disorders at Sheppard Pratt) on how, instead of dieting and trying to meet society's expectations, we should make small adjustments to reach our set weight point- a personalized healthy, or natural, weight for your body.
I totally agree with you! In my oppinion, the mass media, "the forth world power" is trying to manipulate society. Magazines, newspapers, and TV are the main factors which give the concept of how people should understand the word "perfection". This is really sad, because it changes people's visions about their bodies and makes them "slaves" of fashion or what is called "fashion" so to say. I would say that everyone should live his or her own life in order to be comfortable and happy with it.
"People aren't afraid of obesity--they are afraid of looking obese".
This is such a good point. All those Women's magazine cover target lines saying "Lose X lb in Y days" (where the amount X gets larger and larger and number of Y decreases in each subsequent issues), even in women's health magazine, are they really concerned about health? Yes, there really are health problems that is related to obesity. But when people who should be considered "normal, healthy weight" people chases after after-thinning ideal of body size, are we really chasing after healthier body, or trendy look?
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