Content provided in partnership with
NUTRITION: MIXED Messages - Statistical Data Included
American Fitness, July, 1999
The far-reaching effects of how mass media has defined and re-shaped our collective image of health, food and beauty.
"Many ads suggest I can eat as much fat free food as I want--guilt free. However, I've gained weight. Shouldn't ads also say fat free can be fattening?"
"When I was 14, I studied the models in fashion magazines and decided that's how I wanted to look. One year later, I was in the hospital suffering from anorexia."
Every day, when we read newspapers and magazines and watch TV, we are bombarded by damaging messages about food and weight which are softly killing us, our children and athletes. Thankfully, more and more consumers are complaining about these misleading messages--but the good news is, the food and fashion industries are beginning to listen.
- Most Popular Articles in Health
- Fuel your workout: exercisers who eat before they work out have more energy ...
- Soothe a dry, itchy scalp: 5 easy expert solutions
- Cocktails and calories: Beer, wine and liquor calories can really add up. ...
- The sour truth about apple cider vinegar - evaluation of therapeutic use
- The, six best supplements you've never heard of: these secret weapons can ...
- More »
With eating disorders and distorted body images being prevalent among exercisers and athletes of all ages and genders, the following information offers a perspective that can help you be more at peace with food and summarizes a program offered by the Harvard Eating Disorders Center (www.hedc.org) during Eating Disorders Awareness Week, February 22-29, 1999.
Media and the Food Industry
The food industry loves people who overeat. Clearly, overeaters spend more money on food items such as chips, soft drinks, fast food and candies--products which account for the majority of food commercials. Have you noticed how many food ads actually encourage you to overeat? (e.g., "I'll bet you can't eat just one."). Ads also strive to normalize overeating, depicting food as an effective way to reward yourself, cope with emotions and escape from life's
problems (e.g., "You deserve a break today."). The inappropriate use of food as a drug temporarily diverts your attention but creates other problems--namely weight gain, an association with shame and potential health problems.
Jean Kilbourne, Ed.D., known for her study of images of women in advertising and her film Killing Us Softly: Advertising and Images of Women, reminded us during a speech at Harvard Eating Disorders Center that we need to improve our relationships and connections with people--not food. No amount of food intake will solve any problem.
Many diet food ads ask women to live up to idealistic and often unrealistic body images. Case in point: Special K's white bathing suit campaign and their "change fat into muscle" message. Because consumers complained they find this message offensive, not inspirational, Kellogg's changed its advertising campaign. Their new "Reshape Your Attitude" ads advocate positive self-esteem and attach no body images. According to Karen Kafer, director of communications for Kellogg USA, the company has received seven times more positive consumer responses than expected due to the change.
Media and the Fashion Industry
The fashion industry has traditionally relied on super-thin models to sell their clothing. With the help of anorexic and airbrushed physiques, each model appears perfectly beautiful--according to industry standards, that is. However, take note of the latest headline from Anne Klein's advertising department--"Kate Moss Gets Tossed." Kate has finally been deemed too skinny.
Anne Klein has switched its advertising focus from anorexic-looking super models to "real women" who are positive role models. Their current advertising campaign highlights 30 high-profile women dressed in Anne Klein clothing. The criteria for inclusion in this "Significant Self" campaign are simply the woman's credentials, not her body size, age or traditional standards of beauty. Perhaps this breakthrough reality-based campaign will revolutionize the fashion industry's ads.
What Can You Do?
As an innocent bystander, you are a victim of the media's damaging messages such as "thin is best, "exercise builds perfect bodies," "fat free is guilt free." These messages can warp your attitudes and influence the way you view food and your body. Don't hesitate to complain to companies that generate offensive ads. Write, call or E-mail your comments or complaints to their customer relations departments. Hopefully, they will listen.
On the home front, you can stop judging yourself from the outside by throwing away your scale. Scales do not weigh athletic ability or beauty. Honor your goal to be healthy and fit. Acknowledge that no matter your size, you can do it. You can also choose to live your life by the following tenets recommended by the Eating Disorders Awareness & Prevention Organization, whose Web site can be accessed at www.edap.org:
* I will accept my body in its natural size and shape.
* I will celebrate all that my body can do for me each day.
* I will treat my body with respect, give it enough rest, fuel it with a variety of foods, exercise it appropriately and listen to its needs.
* I will not deny my body activities such as swimming, dancing or enjoying a meal simply because I am self-conscious about how my body looks. I will recognize I have the right to enjoy any activity regardless of my body shape or size.
Find Research Guides for:
Find Featured Titles for: Home & Garden
Most Popular Articles in Health
- Fuel your workout: exercisers who eat before they work out have more energy ...
- Soothe a dry, itchy scalp: 5 easy expert solutions
- Cocktails and calories: Beer, wine and liquor calories can really add up. ...
- The sour truth about apple cider vinegar - evaluation of therapeutic use
- The, six best supplements you've never heard of: these secret weapons can ...
- More »