Growing up in society today is not for the faint of heart. The pressure to succeed in school, be involved in extra-curriculars, and maintain a normal social life can be overwhelming. However, some would argue that the pressure to be skinny or look “good” is the largest of all. The constant struggle with body image many children face today while growing up has been a major factor in contributing to the increase of eating disorders. More children are “dieting” today and nearly 25% of pathological dieters eventually progress to an actual eating disorder(http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/factors-may-contribute-eating-disorders). The fact that children are dieting or being told to diet should be a red flag to everyone that our obsession with body image has gotten out of control.
Ridiculous standards are being set by the media and everywhere around us. As adults, more people realize that these standards are not realistic, however almost 60% of middle age citizens in America are still unsatisfied with their body (http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/factors-may-contribute-eating-disorders). This is alarming. What is even scarier is that children are more susceptible to the media’s portrayal of body image. A recent study found that 42% of 1st-3rd graders want to be thinner and 81% of 10 year olds are afraid of being fat (http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/factors-may-contribute-eating-disorders. At that young age, there is no reason for a child to be thinking about and judging their own body.
Children need to be somehow educated at a younger age on how to eat properly. Eating properly is not dieting. Dieting has very negative connotations, because it implies that there is something currently wrong with your body. I believe if children are taught to enjoy real, healthy food; they will not only be physically healthier, but mentally healthier as well. I believe this would decrease the amount of eating disorders present in people, especially adolescents.
Bulimia and Body Image
