An Evaluation of Body Image and Self-esteem

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Obesity has a major effect on children across the world. The highest rates of obesity in the US is experienced amongst African American girls. Being overweight is related to many psychological risk factors. Body dissatisfaction is being okay with one's overall weight/size. Although being okay with one's overall appearance is a characterized aspect of body esteem. African American girls have not usually displayed emotion distress concerning weight evaluation. Although African Americans girls are dissatisfied with their bodies, it does note conducts them to assess their overall appearance. (Dalton et al. 2011) The increase of eating pathology is partially due to the mass media. The unrealistic thin images of models in the media in comparison to female's actual self-image. The exposure to images of slender models could lead to restrained diet, and several other risk factors. According to an experiment by Field, they found that males that were looking to imitate models in the media, use products to enhance their appearance. Researcher Anschutz, Strien and Engels stated that approximately 20,000 television commercials are viewed by adolescent in the US every year. Companies use attractive, thin models to promote their merchandise. The social comparison suggest that person analyze their own appearance in an negative aspect after watching exceeding attractive people. (Anschutz, Van Strien & Engels, 2011) Research in the US reports that about 40% of adolescent girls are not pleased with their body. About 48% of 9-12 year old girls were completely dissatisfied with their body and 22% thought that they were too 'fat'. (Halliwell, Easun & Harcourt, 2011) The concern with the dissatisfaction of their bodies contributes to negative emotion... ... middle of paper ... ...iction in restrained eaters. Psychology Of Popular Media Culture, 1(S), 48-59. doi:10.1037/2160-4134.1.S.48 Harriger, J., & Thompson, J. (2012). Hollywood and the Obsession with the Perfect Body. Sex Roles,66(9/10), 695-697. Chase, K. (2009). Youth and disordered eating... "Influences of disordered eating in prepubescent children" (February 2009, Vol. 47, No. 2, pp. 21-24). Journal Of Psychosocial Nursing & Mental Health Services, 47(7), 7. doi:10.3928/02793695-20090701-08 Hawkins, N., Richards, P., Granley, H., & Stein, D. M. (2004). The Impact of Exposure to the Thin-Ideal Media Image on Women.Eating Disorders: The Journal Of Treatment & Prevention, 12(1), 35-50. doi:10.1080/10640260490267751 Teen Health and the Media. (n.d.). Teen Health and the Media. Retrieved May 5, 2014, from http://depts.washington.edu/thmedia/view.cgi?section=bodyimage&page=fastfacts

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