The BBC this morning reported on a new study, Reflections on Body Image, which was released this week, stating that negative body image is a serious problem in the UK, and I personally think in other countries as well. Some facts stated:
- Girls as young as 5 now worry about how they look
- Cosmetic surgery rates have increased by nearly 20% since 2008
- About half of girls and up to a third of boys have dieted to lose weight
What a worry! Other facts:
- more than 95%of people on diets regain the weight they lose (This is why my programs are called the non-dieting approach!)
- wiping out dieting could stop 70% of eating disorders (Very scary stuff. I was shocked to read this. Makes me more determined to do something about it)
The study claims that media images of unrealistic bodies were to blame. I couldn’t agree more. Something has to be done about the unrealistic images thrown in our faces. A comment in the article said, ” the perfected ideal that is entirely unattainable for the vast majority of people” – I question this and wonder if it is unattainable for anyone at all, considering the amount of photoshopping that goes on. And who makes the rules about what is the ‘ideal’ anyway! Who even knows what’s realistic anymore as our views of ‘normal’ have been so distorted by media images.
I agree with the comment that the media and companies should show greater diversity and authenticity in the images they bombard us with! I find many fashion magazines offensive in how they depict women in advertisements. Why is it that teenagers, who have not yet developed into women, are striking sexy poses and selling clothes to grown women. I find it sickening.
Let’s hope people start to sit up, take notice and take a stand against this misrepresenting of what the majority of us really look like. The fashion industry and media will not change until we demand it. That’s my rant for today.
Jacinta x
Link to the article: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18260133
About Me
Jacinta Noonan has worked as an international trainer and coach with people from a variety of backgrounds throughout Europe and Australia. Moving forward from her teaching certification in Australia, she continued to develop her personal and coaching qualifications through studies in The Netherlands and the United Kingdom. She is a Graduate member of the British Psychological Society, with a BSc in Psychology. She is a professional NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) Master Practitioner, a Certified Coach and a Certified TimeLine® therapist, and a member of International Coaching Federation. 
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