Thursday, February 26, 2009

Eating Disorders


by Angela

How many times today have you seen some type of advertisement for a wait loss method or for a diet plan, or even for some type of beauty cosmetic? The truth of the matter is that in America more than a tenth of all the advertisements that go on the radio or on television are either an advertisement for wait loss methods or for beauty cosmetics. Sounds normal doesn't it sure people are going to want to look good so generally the companies that make things to help them look good are going to advertise them the one thing that those companies don't realize and the one thing that even you might not have yet realized is that the main viewer of those t.v advertisements are non the less than children and teens.

Now I'm sure you might be saying now why is that such a big deal? Well because over the past years we have seen an increase in the cases of eating disorders among teens and children here in America.In fact in a resent study 1 out of every 2 teens out of a group of 100 students had some type of eating disorder.The most common types of eating disorders are Anorexia and Bolimia however other food-related disorders, like binge eating disorders, body image disorders, and food phobias, are showing up more frequently than they used to.As you might already know these are all psychological problems that come to such an extreme that they eventually begin affecting the person suffering from them physically.Now you might be saying that sounds bad but what does that have to do with television? As we all know as a child or even a young adult you will find some kind of icon or idol that will sort of be your inspiration or that will sort of guide you in what you want to be when you grow up.

Where are all these teens getting the idea that the only way to fit in is by being super skinny? That is where these illnesses come in and so does the media. Imagine you are a 12 or 13 year old girl and your favorite actress or singer is on television or on some other kind of advertisement saying how she did this crazy extreme diet to get skinny or she did that to achieve that very wanted super model look, Wouldn't you want to try that to? I'm not saying that it is that persons fault i am basically saying that at what cost are those people obtaining that "Super model look" now yes, we all want to look our best but I just strongly believe that by doing so those people are sending the wrong message across to the younger generations.Lets not forget that the younger generations are the worlds future and when that future is in a Hospital because they think that the only way to fit in in this superficial society is by having that "super model look" then we have a problem!

Now regardless of the whole being skinny at any cost thing, there is another main issue that America faces when it comes to the way people eat and their health, and that is Obesity.Did you know that obesity in adults has increased by 60% in the past 20 years while obesity in children has tripled in the past 30 years. Shocking isn't it? With these statistics and the ones from other eating disorders in America that makes up almost a third of the people living here. Actually 33% of adults in America are obese which brings us to the alarming issue of over 300,00 people that die each year do to obesity related illnesses such as heart failers and diabities. Surprising for one of the most richest and most progressive countries in the world.Well there really is no mystery there with the American life on the go, eating fast-food and microwave dinners, the health of the American people has suffered the consequences, consequences that even the earliest generations are starting to face.

This epidemic is yet reversible and that change could start with you and your family.Yes, that is true change can start with a walk at the park here and a healthy salad there.Healthy habits taught at a young age are what will make the difference for future generations, so lets start today.

Photo Credit
Flickr Creative Commons

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