If everyone concerns their body image with what they see in the media (TV, Magazines), why is there not more encouragement on the message to just 'be happy and healthy'?

Erica Haywood

Both women and men receive an everyday message from the media when it comes to body image.  The message to women is that you are supposed to be either skinny or curvy (small waist, large gluteus maximus and large breast).  For guys, the message is to have the strong, athletic build.  If you don't meet the criteria of either of those qualities then most likely you've been concerned about achieving the look because that's the way it's suppose to be right?  Wrong.  If women or men are not naturally built to the ideal look of today's time they are most likely stressed and insecure about their bodies.  Sometimes family members and friends even pressure for that ideal look with opinions and comments on what you are suppose to look like.  This unnecessary stress then leads to other major problems such as eating disorders, low self esteem and depression.  If this is the effect that the media has on the world, why is there not more emphasis on simply being healthy?  Being healthy means to eat healthy as far as receiving all of the necessary nutrients and exercising for a healthy lifestyle.

There is very little encouragement on a healthy lifestyle and more encouragement on "achieve this look and you will be happy" because it is a money maker.  There are all kinds of dieting plans, pills, teas, body wraps and more that cost to achieve the ideal image.  If there were more messages on simply eating right, these businesses would not make the money that is being made.  The people over these companies could care less about what you look like and how you feel as a person, it's all about buying their product to make them rich.
I think that people need to learn to be happy with what they have and within themselves instead of trying to impress people who don't really matter.  It is a stressful position trying to make everyone around you happy when you're not and the end result is never worth it.  The answer is simple, be happy and practice a healthy, everyday lifestyle for yourself and your future.


 http://womenshealth.gov/body-image/about-body-image/index.html