Most people are aware of the use of photoshop to "improve" the appearance of advertising models. This photoshop failure of Ralph Lauren Model Filippa Hamilton (her real figure here for comparison) led to a new wave of criticism for its extensive use. Unfortunately, not all photoshop edits are as quickly recognized as completely unrealistic. Many advertisements feature photo-edited models at a completely unrealistic level of perfection. The advanced technology we have within our grasp today unfortunately has enabled the media to create monstrous creations of unattainable perfection, or in this case, just monstrous creations.You may be wondering, what is the connection between Alternative Health and Photoshop? The answer is Body Image. Negative body image is unhealthy mentally. Holistically speaking, a negative mindset is unhealthy for you not only mentally, but spiritually and physically.
The message sent by these advertisements has had a catastrophic effect upon female self-image. "Female undergraduates who viewed advertisements displaying ultra-thin women exhibited increases in body dissatisfaction, negative mood, levels of depression and lowered self-esteem." According to Rick Nauert, Ph.D., Senior News Editor of Psych Central, an online mental health network. This lack of a healthy mentality can lead to unhealthy choices. Females with poor self image are prone to eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and other unnatural relationships with food (this can include dieting and skipping meals!). According to the Anne Collins Website, approximately 10% of female college students suffer from a clinical or sub-clinical (borderline) eating disorder, of which over half suffer from bulimia. Unfortunately, an example of the advertising I am denouncing right now, in this case, diet advertisements, are present on this webpage, courtesy of Google. Be certain to ignore them. However, this webpage also contains useful information and statistics.
Although eating disorders are less commonly reported and/or noticed among males, poor self-image is still a common occurence. Men and women alike are objectified and unrealistically portrayed in the media. "Every bit as unattainable as Barbie-doll proportions and the heroin-chic look are the broad shouldered, narrow-waisted, fat-free, and muscle-sheathed male physiques littering today's media." Says Seed Magazine article The Media Assault on Male Body Image. Eating disorders can occur in males suffering from poor body image, but even more likely to occur is Muscle Dysmorphia. According to the article The Man Behind the Mask: Male Body Image Dissatisfaction, those with this disorder "want to increase their size with muscle mass. Even if a person has above average muscle mass, a patient with muscle dysmorphia can believe they are chronically underdeveloped to the point of being frail." Males are far less likely to seek help when struggling with any sort of eating disorder or negative self-image.
Harmful media messages are impossible to avoid; they appear in television commercials, in magazines and on the covers, and in internet advertisements which are absolutely everywhere. It is very important not to allow these advertisements and media messages to influence how you see yourself. These advertisements promote the desire to be perfect, which is not within our power. We can only work to attain good health, and enjoy the benefits thereof, but we can not expect ourselves to look anything like these people and be healthy at the same time.
