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Think Healthy So here we are, January 2004. If you have watched more than ten minutes of television in the past week you may have questioned the way you look. It seems that every thirty seconds a model, body-builder, actor, or "formerly obese now remade" person is giving a testimonial about new diet plans, pills, shakes, videos, or some rolling, flab reducing piece of exercise equipment. Following the holidays, weight loss plans and gimmicks are hot sellers. These advertisements want you to question your look, your shape and your weight. For some of us, these ads are encouraging, and stimulate us to adopt more healthy behaviors (in addition to whatever is being sold). But for many of us, these ads and images of beautiful, buff people encourage a poor body image. Weight (high or low) is not the only determinant of poor body image but it is the most widely discussed. According to an Obesity Policy Report survey of 1,300 newspaper and food magazine editors, obesity was the number one food story of 2003. Over 65 percent of the US population is overweight or obese- this is an epidemic. Obesity is the second leading cause of death in the US (second only to tobacco, and catching up quickly). Obesity is linked to heart disease, diabetes, stroke, cancer, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol among others. A second public health concern is the pervasive message that thin equals healthy. Fighting for thinness does little to improve health or body image. The Suburban Center for Eating Disorders and Adolescent Obesity in Bethesda, MD reports that 10% of adult women in the US exhibit symptoms of anorexia and bulimia. Anorexia is a life-threatening disorder of deliberate self-starvation. It results in cognitive disturbance, muscular weakness, changes in sleep patterns, electrolyte disturbance, anemia, dizziness, osteoporosis, constipation, irregular menses and possible infertility. Bulimia is characterized by binge eating and purging (self-induced vomiting, laxative or diuretic use, excessive exercise). Physical complications include electrolyte imbalance which may result in severe cardiac arrest, dehydration, swelling of fingers, ankles and faces, irregular menses, dental deterioration and gastrointestinal disturbances. Being thin does not equal being healthy. A key to good health is a positive body image. Body image is not just about body size but about how we perceive the way we look and how we feel about it. The media has introduced and upheld impossible ideals for body weight and composition. In 1965 models weighed 8% less than the average American woman; in 1987 models weighted 23% less (BodyIcon). If Barbie were a real woman she would have so little body fat that she wouldn’t menstruate(The College Woman’s Handbook, Dobkin and Sippy). It is inappropriate to be held to these standards. This is an excellent time to reflect on what we would like to accomplish this year. If losing or gaining weight is a concern of yours think about your motivation and your discontent with your current weight. Does it stem from concerns about your health? Being healthy does not have to begin with dramatic weight loss and sculpted abs. Being active even 20 minutes a day a few days a week can improve your health without making a great change in your weight. Talk to a doctor about getting and staying healthy and then talk to your friends about promoting a positive body image together. Start to recognize false claims in weight loss commercials and inappropriate messages in advertisements for clothing, perfume, and food. Put away your scale and take out a mirror. Tell yourself and your friends how beautiful we all are and enjoy 2004! ©Griffin Hospital 2004 (These archives are in PDF form. You must have Adobe® Acrobat Reader® to read them.) Ovarian Cancer "Is
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©2004 Griffin
Hospital and licensors. All Rights Reserved. Last updated
10/21/2004
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