Body Image Issues, Teens and the Media

Body Image Issues, Teens and the Media February 12, 2020 Image Source/Photodisc/Getty Images More in Eating Disorders Awareness and Prevention Symptoms Treatment Diagnosis The media plays a big part in a teens body image. Advertising in teen magazines and on teen television typically glamorizes thing models who do not resemble the average person. In fact, todays women models generally weigh 23% less than the average woman. Considering the average person in the United States sees approximately 3,000 ads in magazines, billboards, and television every day, your teenager is getting the wrong message about body image much too often. Glamourizing the Thin Ideal Media targeting teenage girls tends to emphasize the ideal of thinness as beauty.  When you stop and think about the fact that the average height and weight for a model are 510 and 110 lbs, and the height and weight for the average woman are 54 and 145 lbs, its easy to see why this creates a tremendous health risk for young girls. The problem of the media using girls who are very thin and not healthy has not gotten better over the years, even though the issues it causes for teen girls have become well known. Television shows, movies, and other forms of popular culture often glamorize thinness as the beauty ideal. Popular culture often only depict thin individuals and offers little representation of other body types, shapes, and sizes. Such depictions can contribute to body issues and, potentially, eating disorders. The adolescent period is a time when exposure to these messages can be particularly damaging. The onset of puberty and the ensuing physical changes that this developmental stage brings can lead to feelings of insecurity and poor body image. It is important to note that boys are not immune to this. Parents need to be aware that boys can develop body image issues as well, whether such concerns center on weight, musculature, or some other internalized beauty ideal. It is also important to encourage your child to watch shows that depict characters who look like them. Shows where the kids look like your teen and their friends with regular body weights are the way to go. Show that depict normal as being the real normal. How to Help Your Teen   You can help your daughter minimize the medias impact on her body image by: Limit your teen daughter from this type of advertising. This doesnt mean that you need to take away all teen magazines, just be aware of which ones take this teen issue into consideration. Check them out at the store before purchasing a subscription.Start an advertising awareness program in her school.Talk to her about the health risks of being so thin and use the media for teachable moments.Talk to her about how photos of models are altered and airbrushed.Talk about achievements instead of appearance.Help your teen seek out role models that are body positive.Promote healthy habits. Help your child focus on healthy eating and exercise that promote well-being.Set a good example through your own behavior, including maintaining a positive attitude about your own body image, is also important.Teach teens to accept their own bodies. Remind them that everyone is different. A Word From Verywell If your child is struggling with body image issues that are affecting self-esteem, mood, or even eating behavior, talk to your childs doctor. Your teen may benefit from talking to a mental health professional.