Since the turn of the century, we have appeared to exist in a world of increasingly apparent extremes. Whether this refers to political opinion and religious belief systems, or the swelling number of underweight and overweight individuals in US society, the concept of the extreme is particularly prevalent in contemporary culture. Although it is a clear symptom of modern living and behavioral trends, there is little to suggest whether there is an inherent cause or a suitable resolution.
The issue of health and body image acts as a significant example. Statistics released by the US census suggests that less than a third of the adult population are considered to be at a healthy weight and BMI, with the remaining majority either underweight or overweight in comparison. To compound this worrying data, each problem appears to be divided by gender, with males recording 70 percent of their number either overweight or obese, and an estimated 3 percent of females underweight.
Knowledge vs Ignorance
These two very different health issues are born of entirely individual causes. Obesity is a result of ignorance, where individuals do not modify their diet or levels of exertion to match their lifestyle requirements or the accepted knowledge on the subject. In contrast, individuals who are underweight are often influenced by the media representation of body image and type, and adapt their own eating habits and trends to create a body that is more compatible with what the see.
This also explains why the issues are inherent, if not exclusive, to a particular gender. The nature of magazine publications and television advertising is decidedly visual, and uses its imagery to sell a specific product or service. Supposedly attractive female bodies are often used to sell both male and female orientated concepts, meaning that women are exposed to a diverse range of contemporaries displaying a slim and unrealistic body type. As for males, there is far less social pressure to conform to a particular body type, so obesity emerges as a consequence where an individual fails to conceive a suitable diet and exercise regime.
Confronting the Issues of Body Image
Such health issues provide different challenges to society, and one can clearly be identified as harder to solve than the other. While tackling the predominantly male problem of obesity, a simple and concise application of existing knowledge is enough to change behavior over time and cultivate far healthier attitudes to consumption and physical activity. However, tackling a culture so dominated by media and visual advertising to create a more realistic appreciation of the human form is a far more troublesome concept.
One of the main considerations is the sheer volume of imagery and branding that promotes slender and unforgiving body types. The World Wide Web is a diverse and growing resource that boasts swathes of advertising that glamorize a particular aesthetic, in addition to corroborative literature and opinion. As society becomes increasingly dependent and exposed to these resources, so too individuals ideas and conduct adapt to a perceived and accepted wisdom. This creates a plethora of teenagers and young adults who strive to obtain a body type that is in fact unhealthy and clinically underweight.
The effects are wide and potentially devastating. As the number of females in the US who are technically underweight continues to rise significantly, so too does the number of young and impressionable adults who feel uncomfortable and unattractive in their own skin. This poor body image is often a portent for more advanced types of depression and unhappiness, and also a trigger for variable forms of eating disorder and health complications in later life.
Resolution through Education
In terms a resolution, it is wholly unrealistic to expect to change the landscape and methodology of contemporary advertising. There is far too much money and wealth involved in the requisite processes, and so it is a more manageable aspiration to tackle the levels of perception and independent thinking within society. By doing this, the US can alter the way that advertising and its imagery is viewed by its public, and actively encourage a society that disregards an advanced body type as unrealistic and unhealthy rather than ideal.
Education is a fine way to do this, especially if it is aimed at young teenagers who are most vulnerable to the visual and literal endorsements of magazines and media outlets. This demographic is the most open and sensitive to new thoughts and ideas, and by promoting the values of healthy eating and clinically acceptable body types can help to change attitudes and ultimately behavior. Through teaching and implementing accepted knowledge, it is possible to address the issues of negative body image without attempting to challenge the common trends in advertising culture.
Pool Shop
I like your site but there seems to be an awful lot of garbage comments on this page that make no sense.
Can I post your publish to my wordpress blog? I will add a one-way link to your forum. That’s one really great post.
Yes, you can. As long as you are giving proper credit to our writers.
Now I get it, do you have any email list something to sign up to for more news?
Email list is coming soon. You are most welcome to subscribe to our RSS feed or join us on Facebook or Twitter. Links are at top right.
Great article! This is very interesting! Thank you for this blog! You can find more informations on Lingerie de charme. There’s everything you need at the best price!
Thank you for appreciating our articles.
totally amazing site!
Thank you for grading our site as amazing.
good¨C your welcome!
Thank you for visiting our blog and sharing your thoughts. Your support is most appreciated.
Astonishing, that was a very good read. Someone who literally writes what they know about online. I bookmarked your blog and keep writing as you do. Thanks 🙂
Thank you for bookmarking us.
Dang i thought your blog was killer, gave me a car load of information, i never knew, thanks blogger.
Gald to provide you lots of information.
This is a great idea!Thanks for sharing ¨C I like your blog already.
Thank you for appreciating our ideas.
Interesting post – I enjoyed it very much!
Thank you for your interest in our work.
Wonderful post, thanks for collating the information. I have been seeking google and yahoo for information similar to this and it led me to your blog! 🙂
Thanks to you, Google and Yahoo.
I seriously learned about nearly all of this, but having said that, I still thought it had been helpful. Beautiful blog!
Glad to be of help.
Outstanding This really is one of the most beneficial blogs I’ve ever read on this subject.
Thank you for grading us as the most beneficial.
Interesting news. Cheers for that.
Thank you for your interest in our news.
Hello, nice read. Love every bit. Thanks.
Thank you for reading our blog.
Hi this is kinda of off topic but I was wondering if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to manually code with HTML. I’m starting a blog soon but have no coding experience so I wanted to get advice from someone with experience. Any help would be enormously appreciated!
If wordpress is properly installed, you do not need any coding for regular work.
daryl16200779@fireden.net jimmy16200779@fireden.net I like your blog. Keep up your good postings.
Thank you for appreciating our blog.
Hi there, I saw a website that looks identicle to this one, did they steal your content? here it is http://tinyurl.com/4mhg6pm
Great caliber 🙂
Thank you for appreciating our caliber.
Between me and my husband we’ve owned more MP3 players over the years than I can count, including Sansas, iRivers, iPods (classic & touch), the Ibiza Rhapsody, etc. But, the last few years I’ve settled down to one line of players. Why? Because I was happy to discover how well-designed and fun to use the underappreciated (and widely mocked) Zunes are.