Are We Sending the Wrong Message?

Many of us probably consider a 10-pound range between our "fat" and "thin" selves a normal fluctuation in our weight. But as I waited in line at the grocery store this week, I was struck by how many tabloid headlines were screaming out the weight tribulations of this or that celebrity. This star was criticized for being too thin, while that one was taken to task for putting on a few extra pounds.

Just like me at the grocery store, our children are exposed daily to hundreds of such subliminal messages of what it means to be thin in America. The media consistently portray the perfect look, the perfect body, the perfect person. What kind of message are we sending when our youngsters begin to model themselves after the extra-svelte shape of a favorite actor or singer?

With this kind of a media environment, it's not surprising to learn that eating disorders like anorexia nervosa and bulimia are on the rise, and that a distorted body image is more likely to lead to an eating disorder than is a healthy self image.

When some adolescents look at themselves in the mirror, they don't necessarily see what you or I see. They see a distorted image of their body, one that is unattractive and makes them feel awkward and unappealing.

Instead of looking at their inner beauty, these young women and men are preoccupied with their physical appearance on the outside. Their obsession with being ultra-thin persists despite the fact that few of us will ever achieve the size zero that seems to be the standard among fashion models and celebrities. Yet many of our children still strive for the Barbie-doll appearance promoted by the media.

As I read the tabloids, I sympathized with the public figures whose body size and shape are so mercilessly scrutinized and critiqued. And I admired those who have taken matters into their own hands and publicly discussed their personal struggles with weight. I hope their message will be heard above the constant clamor for bodily perfection.