How Do We React to Our Body Shape?
Obesity, Anorexia, and The Media.
At some point, most people express worry about their body. It is usually mentioned as a natural concern towards our health.
Things like a balanced diet, an appropriate amount of exercise, and hygiene uptake, are some factors that we may control in our lives.
Keeping a balance is a key component in keeping your health in check.
However, some people, in trying to create their perfect body, neglect their basic health.
Likewise, some do not take it seriously enough, resulting in future health problems.
This article, Our Body and Outlook, will be explaining two common terms related to body shape: obesity and anorexia.
We will also discuss how the media can play a part in how we see ourselves.
Obesity
Obesity describes a person who is overweight.
The obese have higher chances of catching a serious health condition:
- Type 2 diabetes
- Coronary heart disease
- Some forms of cancer
- A higher chance of stroke
Obesity can cause negative emotions, such as depression and low self-esteem.
Obesity is caused through consuming an abundance of calories, especially food and drinks that have high sugar and fat contents. In other words, overeating.
Your body is only able to burn away the extra fat through an appropriate amount of exercise, which the body currently lacks.
Obesity is a common problem in modern society, where there are:
- Fast food restaurants (high in calories),
- Technological advancements (driving cars instead of walking, or watching TV instead of going out), and
- Jobs that do not require labour (desk jobs).
The simplest way to reduce obesity is through:
- A balanced diet, recommended by your GP (doctor), or dietitian
- Join a weight loss group
- Activities (2 1/2 hours – 5 hours per week): fast walking, jogging, swimming, or tennis
- Eat slowly
- Avoid places that stimulate overeating
You should consider psychological support from a trained healthcare professional. This can change the way you think about food and eating.
If your changed lifestyle has created no difference to your weight, a type of medicine can be recommended to you by your GP, or dietitian.
If all else fails, weight loss surgery can also be recommended.
Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia is an eating disorder with serious mental health issues.
People who have anorexia, try to keep their weight as low as they possibly can. This is to the point where their bones are visible through their skin.
They limit their intake of food to the extreme, or exercise excessively. In some cases, they can do both.
Starving themselves towards illness.
These people usually have a distorted view of their body. Thinking that they are fat, even if someone states the opposite.
This condition can be found through all ages of both genders. However, it is more commonly seen in young women, beginning from their mid-teens.
Signs and Symptoms
- Under 18 years old = weight and height lower than expected
- Adult = Low Body Mass Index
- Missing meals, eating less, or refusing foods you see as fattening
- Think you are fat, when you are average weight or below
- Taking medicine to reduce hunger
- Periods stopped or not beginning
- Light-headed, dizzy, hair loss, or dry skin
Some anorexic people will go even further, by trying to throw up, or use other methods to keep their weight from growing.
Treating anorexia
Recovering from anorexia is doable, but will take time. Recovery is different for everyone.
Everyone’s treatment would be specifically made for their own needs. It will include the necessary support needed, such as for anxiety or depression.
Anorexia patients that are over the age of 18, will be given the option to take part in talking therapy. This will help manage your negative emotions about food and eating, enabling you to eat a healthier amount of food.
The types of therapy available for adult anorexia patients are:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
- Maudsley Anorexia Nervosa Treatment for Adults
- Specialist Supportive Clinical Management
Types of therapy available for patients under age 18:
- Family Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
- Adolescent-focused Psychotherapy
Media Influences
Media, though a good way to keep in touch and up-to-date on news, cannot be said to be completely healthy towards body image. I will not disagree that it does have its benefits
There are 3 main types of media:
- Mass Media (Newspapers and magazines)
- Broadcast Media (TV and radio)
- Social Media (The internet, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, etc.)
Negative influences
Somehow, the media defines beauty, and this is not always a good thing.
The media plays a big role in what we see as acceptable and beautiful. This is where the trouble starts.
All across media, we see a majority of models and celebrities whose bodies are slim and fit – the media’s definition of a perfect body.
The problem comes when this definition becomes the norm of how a body should be. The mental damage of this is huge, as is the pressure.
Once you start comparing yourself to these celebrities, you lose sight of yourself. You begin to focus on any flaws that do not match your version of beauty.
This decreases confidence and low self-esteem. It can also cause eating disorders to arise.
Positive influences
Nevertheless, the media also has its good points. You just need to know how to steer away from the negative influences.
The media can promote body positivity. This enables the user to build confidence and allows them to appreciate their body. It also builds up their self-esteem.
It is important to differentiate accounts by negative and positive content. Be aware of the accounts you follow. Do they show positive or negative content? What emotions are you feeling, after viewing the post?
If the posts make you feel upset, you should give yourself a break from social media.
Follow accounts that encourage body positivity and join support groups who focus on body positivity.
