How Your Health And Body Image Are Linked
A recent story on health and body image in Spain caught my attention. Apparently, the Spanish government has put new restrictions in place on television ads for cosmetic survey. Justified?
The Link Between Your Health And Body Image
The contention by the Spanish government is that ads for cosmetic surgeries, botox injections, and related procedures only serves to accentuate a growing problem tied to the body image of young teens. An interview with a teenage girl, aired on NPR, summed up the reason for the rising rates of anorexia and bulimia in Spain, as she explained how the “perfect bodies” of actresses and models are worshiped by their culture. This is why they limited advertising for the industry to after 10 pm, in the hopes of reducing the exposure of children to the images and message portrayed by the industry.
The Spanish government made headlines back in 2006 when they instituted a weight ban against models at fashion shows, requiring a minimum BMI of 18. By some estimates, the average fashion model weighs in at 110-pounds. At an average 5-feet 9-inches tall, that translates to a BMI of 16. It’s nonsense like this that leads to rumors about things like the cotton ball diet.
Naturally, the modelling industry cried “foul.”
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute considers a BMI of 18.5-24.9 to be in the “normal weight” range.
The argument for the ban was primarily aimed at limiting the number of kids exposed to the message by the cosmetic industry. And, there’s no doubt that their message is
Look how we can fix you…
One could certainly argue that its the responsibility of parents to instill a sense of values and self worth in their children. But we have to accept that as kids approach the adolescent years, the opinions of their peers, and the images to which they’re exposed, begins to take a more prominent role in their lives. These messages carry weight.
Even for adults. After all, who hasn’t looked in the mirror and wished something was different?
This is part of the reason its so important for us to use impartial tools when evaluating our body weight. Tools like BMI calculators, and body fat measurements, provide us with a way to gauge our weight, relative to health. This is a far safer way of determining our “ideal” weight range.
It doesn’t lie.
And don’t kid yourselves. The fashion industry, your enemies, your friends, and even the image in mirror will all lie to you about this subject. So many of our hopes and dreams are tied up in our appearance, that there’s no way for anyone to be completely impartial, and the fashion industry changes on the whims of the moment. After all, Marilyn Monroe had a BMI of nearly 21.
If you feel you’re overweight, its important to have a realistic view of how your health and body image are linked. Make use of BMI tools, and take a jaunt over to your doctor’s office or local health clinic. Most cities have someplace you can get these measured at no cost. Use these tools to guide your weight loss goals.
Related posts:
Like This Site? It Runs On Frugal!
Follow Me On Twitter
AndrewENZ (3)
John's Weight Los... (1)
kahlil (1)
Karen (1)
Kate (1)
Good call.
I would appreciate this more if the pic wasn’t of a skinny girls’ belly.
We’re certainly living in the world of extremes. Childhood obesity is through the roof yet you get bombarded with images of super lean bodies every day. Where is teh good old middle ground? What happened to it?
People nowadays are inclined to quick fixes. I agree with the Spanish government on their move to minimize the ads influence on our teenagers. True beauty comes from within, any superficial attempts to fix the onside will only compound our miseries inside.
@Walter – You’re exactly right about the quick fix mentality. Hopefully this will at least curb some of the pressure for “perfection.”
@Greg – We exist in a culture of extremes, no doubt about it.