Read
President of National Organization for Women Terry O’Neill’s article
click here for some interesting facts about the way girls are feeling including:
* 50% of 3 to 6 year old girls worry about being fat.
* 80% of girls have tried a fad diet by the time they’re in the fourth grade.
* 80% of women are dissatisfied with their appearance.
These statistics are very alarming, but I think it is something that everyone needs to know so we can start to fix the problem. I know that’s easier said than done, but six years old is too young to be worrying about body image issues. More real people need to be shown in the media. People who are a variety of sizes and are not airbrushed to look perfect. The media these days puts negative thoughts in children and teens’ heads and makes them feel like they have to live up to a certain standard. This is not acceptable and something has to change.
These are some horrifying and intense statistics. I heard a statistic once that a percentage of young adolescent girls are more afraid of being fat than dying. There is something TERRIBLY wrong with this picture. Yet, it is truth. Most women are not satisfied with their appearance, nor will some ever be. I think it is sad that some girls start diets so early. It is unhealthy! Sometimes it is the parents fault for what they feed their kids or say to them, not knowing how it affects them. Young girls just need to stay active- find something they love. It is nice to indulge every once in a while and we need to treat ourselves, but proper nutrition is important as well.
For girls especially, I think we always attack ourselves with negative comments about our body image. In reality, we should comfort ourselves with positive comments every time we look in the mirror. Many girls look in the mirror and say, “I look fat!” or “I need to lose weight!” Every time we look in the mirror, I think we need to be happy for the healthy body we have and accept ourselves for who we are. We are all different and unique individuals. We should be happy with who we are.
I find it alarming to hear 3-6 year olds worrying about body image. I still think it is important for young children to practice healthy eating habits and lifestyle choices, but they do not have to worry about their physical appearance to such a degree. Once parents provide their children with a strong foundation, eating disorders will not appear as the child gets older. Society as a whole need to pay more attention to whole health, and not what everyone sees through the media.
Ages 3-6??? This is unbelievable to me. I cannot imagine a 6 year old worrying about eating a french fry or a chicken nugget because they don’t want to be fat. Children should be involved in physical activity and eat a decent diet, but there is no way that a third grader should be trying a fad diet. This could be due to things like the media or what clothes are popular for children these days (like belly shirts or booty shirts).
After reading these statistics I was so shocked. I can not believe that dieting starts at suck a young age. When I look back on my life as a fourth grader that was the last thing on my mind. I was more concerned with the amount of times I could tag the fastest boy on the play ground then what I looked like. It is truly eye opening about media and body image, along with what are young adults are exposed to.
More people than you think have either attacked or are currently attacking their body type and are trying to do things about it. It’s the sad truth. I just wish there were more people that would be willing to do something about it and help others that are dealing or have dealt with this problem.