[Lauren]

Originally posted by Stropz
I can see "skins" covering this subject soon to be honest. That's obviously where they are going with the Cassie storyline. I just hope it's handled well.

I doubt they'll handle it well. They bombed on the self-harm issue, and the OCD issue - making jokes of both of them. But we shall see.

The media has a big influence this day in age and it needs to handle this responsibility well.

[lily.]

Yeah Lauren, unfortunately it's entertainment before responsibility usually isn't it.

I can understand that it's a comedy and meant to be entertaining, but it's a great platform for awareness.

[Bells]

Nowadays everyone, and IMO I think teens especially, are so concerned with body image, it's unbelievable. Of course you hear stories about those people who just don't seem to care and keep putting on weight and becoming obese; there was this one story of a person in America who put on so much weight because she never ever moved from her sofa...so she practically ended up getting stuck to it and had to be taken to hospital on her sofa!

Obviously stories like these are extreme, but generally speaking eating disorders are absolutely everywhere in the Western world today. It's quite sad in some cases because in Third World countries people are thin, sickly and starving and don't get enough nutrients at all, whereas in the countries where people do tend to get this privilege, the availability of food and nutrients is often abused.

The media plays such a huge part in the minds of young people. Constantly youngsters - girls generally, but youngsters as a whole in fact - compare themselves to celebrities, role models, anyone they may look up to not only for their talent but more and more increasingly it's becoming image-wize as well. The representation today of girls as stick thin with flawless skin and lovely hair (not to mention their beautiful faces) is so unrealistic.

Sadly I know about a handful of girls with eating disorders, and it makes me feel so bad. . I won't deny having had self-conscious issues myself - most people do, I'm sure - and we all have the occasional thought, 'Oh I'm too fat', 'I'm too thin,' saying you need to eat more or less - we all do it. But we shouldn't let it take over our lives! Especially not teenagers - at the end of the day, they're growing until they've reached the age of perhaps 21 - so bodies develop and change! Besides, it's unhealthy to lose too much weight in one go.

It's all about trying to be comfortable in your own skin, not being stick-thin for purposes even you aren't sure about.

[Sunny_01]

- Are we obsessed with it?

I think that as a society we are indeed obsessed with it - I know as an individual I am. I spent a number of years so unhappy at how over weight I was

- Does the media make us that way?

Hmm not sure if it is the media alone that does it to us, I think that there will always be people you look at and think, yep I want to look like that which is where the obsession begins. I do think that the media adds to the pressures people are faced with to look a certain way

- Do we judge others on how they look?

Without a doubt, whether we acknoledge it or not. We are programmed to identify with people that look a certain way, not everyone finds each other attractive which is where the judgement comes into play. If they dont fit into the zone we find attractive then we are likely to judge them, not necessarily deliberatly but none the less judged they will be.

- Are we more concerned about the cosmetic side of being overweight or underweight than the health issues?

I pretty much think it is the how we look thing that comes first. Health falls into a weary 2nd place for most.

- Would we rather be underweight than overweight?

From my own personal point of view and having been at both ends of the spectrum I would rather be over weight.
- Do women think men want them to be skinny?

I think that some still do yet my hubby made it clear that at one point he found me too thin, he will happily tell me he likes me with more meat and I think that is a common misconception women have.

- What do men really think about women's weight?

Dunno not a blokey!!! but my man likes curves!

- Do you think the ŁBillion diet industry is a con?

I do, the only time I have been succesful and maintained a healthy weight is when I developed my own healthy eating regime

- Should we be satisfied with how we look instead of striving for an impossible goal

Thats a tough one to throw at anyone, I think that we should aspire to be happy in our skin whatever weight that might mean we will be

[xGemmax]

Are we obsessed with it?

Yes some people are. And i suppose I'm included =[

- Does the media make us that way?

To an extent. But it's not all one sided, magazines bash skinny people more than they do fat people. Im so sick of hearing about skinny celebrities i dont even buy them any more, well only fashion ones

- Do we judge others on how they look?

Everyone does, even if they won't admit it

- Are we more concerned about the cosmetic side of being overweight or underweight than the health issues?

Both i think, although i stress more over the cosmetic/appearence side

- Would we rather be underweight than overweight?

Underweight without a doubt. And i think most people would agree with me

- Do women think men want them to be skinny?

No, i dont think so. I don't care what men want, i will look how i want to look. I think most women actually think men prefer larger girls, when actually it is the complete opposite

- What do men really think about women's weight?

I think they care. I'm convinced those Heat body surveys are made up, accorsing to them most men love cellulite

- Do you think the ŁBillion diet industry is a con?

No, not at all

- Should we be satisfied with how we look instead of striving for an impossible goal?

What is impossible about wanting to lose weight? There is nothing wrong with having goals and wanting to better yourself, not only with appearence but with anything in life

[Siouxsie]

Definately obsessed. Too many glossy mags out there with skinny models on. I eat healthy to try and stay fit , to look nice. But i think there is far to many kids obsessed with the film star look.Especially in the school i teach.I think girls are the worst, trying to compete against each other.

[Kizzy]

I'm bumping this because I'm wondering if attitudes have changed, my daughter and I were discussing this tonight and I also think I get a bit obsessive.
Some of the posts in here are excellent too

[Kyle]

My mental illness is completely related to body image and aesthetics.

It has a high suicide rate because people are often so disgusted with parts of their body that they don't like they feel they can't go out in public it's terrible.

It's a shame because I've known a few people with BDD and they aren't even ugly at all, but you can't tell them that at all because their core beliefs are so deeply entrenched in their minds mothing you say will make any difference at all.

It isn't a 'woman's problem' either, it's pretty equal amongst the sexes. In fact my therapist told me she sees slightly more men than women.

****Edit: I've just properly read the thread and it seems more geared towards weight than actual looks.

I find it a shame that some women feel the need to try to be ultra skinny like they look on all the adverts/ cosmetic mags etc. the amount of people I've tried to convince that men prefer women (excuse my phrase here) with a little 'meat on the bone' is unreal.

I find it hard to blame them though, I know when questioned people tend to say 'huh I don't pay attention to the media yadda yadda yadda' but it must be hard for a woman to be bombarded on a daily basis with all these fads telling you basically in a subliminal way 'your not worth it unless you look like this/ weigh only that etc.

Ladies, if you are under the impression that men will only like you if your skinny then please try to change your thinking. It's inbuilt in a man to look for good child bearing hips and a healthy look. Real women look like models from simply B adverts and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that at all.

[Ammi]

Originally Posted by Simple Minds

My mental illness is completely related to body image and aesthetics.

It has a high suicide rate because people are often so disgusted with parts of their body that they don't like they feel they can't go out in public it's terrible.

It's a shame because I've known a few people with BDD and they aren't even ugly at all, but you can't tell them that at all because their core beliefs are so deeply entrenched in their minds mothing you say will make any difference at all.

It isn't a 'woman's problem' either, it's pretty equal amongst the sexes. In fact my therapist told me she sees slightly more men than women.

****Edit: I've just properly read the thread and it seems more geared towards weight than actual looks.

I find it a shame that some women feel the need to try to be ultra skinny like they look on all the adverts/ cosmetic mags etc. the amount of people I've tried to convince that men prefer women (excuse my phrase here) with a little 'meat on the bone' is unreal.

I find it hard to blame them though, I know when questioned people tend to say 'huh I don't pay attention to the media yadda yadda yadda' but it must be hard for a woman to be bombarded on a daily basis with all these fads telling you basically in a subliminal way 'your not worth it unless you look like this/ weigh only that etc.

Ladies, if you are under the impression that men will only like you if your skinny then please try to change your thinking. It's inbuilt in a man to look for good child bearing hips and a healthy look. Real women look like models from simply B adverts and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that at all.

..I agree, it isn't a 'woman's problem' at all..people of both genders can have issues with how they look on the outside but I will say and also stress that I don't think you meant this to be so...but it really does help when people say things like, oh heterosexual men prefer a curvy lady type thing or the same could be said of a female saying they like a specific 'body shape' with a male..I know we probably all do it to some extent and we all have different things that we personally would deem as 'physically attractive'....anyway, not everyone strives to be 'slim' some people just are and actually if they strive for anything, it's often to be curvy and put on weight but for them it can be equally as difficult as some people find to lose it...and they too have body image issues...some people like slim people..some people like curvy/cuddly people...there are all sorts of reasons why we're attracted to someone and not all of those reasons are physical...for me personally, actually the physical part would be at the very bottom of my 'list'..(if I had one.)....but just kind of 'lumping' preferences together by saying things like...ladies, men prefer child bearing hips to a bone or whatever can be just as damaging to someone's self esteem and body image then anything else in this thread...and if the person saying it also has body image issues, then it makes them equally guilty of being part of 'perceptions' that help create these insecurities in people....

..sorry, if this seems blunt because it's not meant to, I just have work soon so I'm rushing.....

[Kyle]

Originally Posted by Ammi

..I agree, it isn't a 'woman's problem' at all..people of both genders can have issues with how they look on the outside but I will say and also stress that I don't think you meant this to be so...but it really does help when people say things like, oh heterosexual men prefer a curvy lady type thing or the same could be said of a female saying they like a specific 'body shape' with a male..I know we probably all do it to some extent and we all have different things that we personally would deem as 'physically attractive'....anyway, not everyone strives to be 'slim' some people just are and actually if they strive for anything, it's often to be curvy and put on weight but for them it can be equally as difficult as some people find to lose it...and they too have body image issues...some people like slim people..some people like curvy/cuddly people...there are all sorts of reasons why we're attracted to someone and not all of those reasons are physical...for me personally, actually the physical part would be at the very bottom of my 'list'..(if I had one.)....but just kind of 'lumping' preferences together by saying things like...ladies, men prefer child bearing hips to a bone or whatever can be just as damaging to someone's self esteem and body image then anything else in this thread...and if the person saying it also has body image issues, then it makes them equally guilty of being part of 'perceptions' that help create these insecurities in people....

..sorry, if this seems blunt because it's not meant to, I just have work soon so I'm rushing.....

Did you just accuse my post of being damaging?


Sorry I'm not having that. My post was intended to give a males perspective that it's a fallacy that women have to be skinny for men to like them. Of course when I say 'men like' you pick up on that and assume I mean every single man on the planet with no exceptions.

How about this then? A lot of men prefer women with meat on their bone as opposed to the unhealthy modelesque look.

[arista]

"My mental illness is completely related to body image and aesthetics."


What does your GP say?

[Verbal]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

I'm bumping this because I'm wondering if attitudes have changed, my daughter and I were discussing this tonight and I also think I get a bit obsessive.
Some of the posts in here are excellent too

Oh Kizzy, look what you did!

[x-evenstar-x]

Originally Posted by arista

"My mental illness is completely related to body image and aesthetics."


What does your GP say?

What do you mean by "what dies your GP say?"

[x-evenstar-x]

Originally Posted by Ammi

..I agree, it isn't a 'woman's problem' at all..people of both genders can have issues with how they look on the outside but I will say and also stress that I don't think you meant this to be so...but it really does help when people say things like, oh heterosexual men prefer a curvy lady type thing or the same could be said of a female saying they like a specific 'body shape' with a male..I know we probably all do it to some extent and we all have different things that we personally would deem as 'physically attractive'....anyway, not everyone strives to be 'slim' some people just are and actually if they strive for anything, it's often to be curvy and put on weight but for them it can be equally as difficult as some people find to lose it...and they too have body image issues...some people like slim people..some people like curvy/cuddly people...there are all sorts of reasons why we're attracted to someone and not all of those reasons are physical...for me personally, actually the physical part would be at the very bottom of my 'list'..(if I had one.)....but just kind of 'lumping' preferences together by saying things like...ladies, men prefer child bearing hips to a bone or whatever can be just as damaging to someone's self esteem and body image then anything else in this thread...and if the person saying it also has body image issues, then it makes them equally guilty of being part of 'perceptions' that help create these insecurities in people....

..sorry, if this seems blunt because it's not meant to, I just have work soon so I'm rushing.....

I see where you are coming from and you make a fair point, but there is more stigma around being over weigh as apposed to being under weight, especially in pre-teens and teens!

Simple minds was just stating a point irrelevant of the fact that he has body image issues.

[Kyle]

Originally Posted by arista

"My mental illness is completely related to body image and aesthetics."


What does your GP say?

My GP referred me to a CBT therapist who evaluated me then assigned me a specialist. GP's aren't really equipped to deal with things like this (nor should they by the way).

Anyone else who is on this forum reading this and feels like they spend far too much time in front of a mirror obsessing over how they look to the point of it being detrimental to their life (up to 2% of the population are said to have it) go see your GP. It really will help you in e long run!

[mizzy25]

Are we obsessed with it?
possibly yes
- Does the media make us that way?
I don't think so
- Do we judge others on how they look?
yes
- Are we more concerned about the cosmetic side of being overweight or underweight than the health issues?
Yes
- Would we rather be underweight than overweight?
Ive been underweight and looked like the walking dead but it was good to have a flat stomach so prob underweight
- Do women think men want them to be skinny?
I have no idea as that wouldn't concern me
- What do men really think about women's weight?
again no idea
- Do you think the ŁBillion diet industry is a con?
Not really if its more about healthy eating
- Should we be satisfied with how we look instead of striving for an impossible goal?
No as it gives us something to aim for

[mizzy25]

Have to say I rarely even look in a mirror unless im getting ready etc as I already know I have a fat stomach.

[Verbal]

Originally Posted by mizzy25

Have to say I rarely even look in a mirror unless im getting ready etc as I already know I have a fat stomach.

I don't even have a mirror in the house

[Kyle]

Originally Posted by Verbal

I don't even have a mirror in the house

You see, the thought of that would scare the sh*t out of me.

[Verbal]

Originally Posted by Simple Minds

You see, the thought of that would scare the sh*t out of me.

I just gave up caring about how I looked a long time ago to be honest, as long as my hair is flat I don't care. As i've said before, you can't polish a turd. I'd rather have the deluded image of myself thats in my head rather than the reality that everyone else sees

I more than make up for it in other areas where I am a neurotic mess

[Kyle]

Originally Posted by Verbal

I just gave up caring about how I looked a long time ago to be honest, as long as my hair is flat I don't care. As i've said before, you can't polish a turd. I'd rather have the deluded image of myself thats in my head rather than the reality that everyone else sees

I more than make up for it in other areas where I am a neurotic mess

[Kizzy]

What have I started indeed lol!
You are not a turd verbal!

I think it has gotten a lot worse over the past few years, the battle over the fast food nation has been lost.
Conversely parents and children are being bombarded with information that the BMI scale is key to labelling yourself as 'fat' I don't feel this should ever be accepted.
I have come to the realisation that I have an issue with 'fat' people. Being an ex drinker that is carrying more weight than I should that manifests as self loathing.... which isn't nice.

[Kazanne]

Originally Posted by Verbal

I just gave up caring about how I looked a long time ago to be honest, as long as my hair is flat I don't care. As i've said before, you can't polish a turd. I'd rather have the deluded image of myself thats in my head rather than the reality that everyone else sees

I more than make up for it in other areas where I am a neurotic mess

Verbal,you are a lovely person,well that's what I get from chatting to you,you make me laugh and I am sure you do yourself down unnecessarily,

[Kyle]

Originally Posted by Kazanne

Verbal,you are a lovely person,well that's what I get from chatting to you,you make me laugh and I am sure you do yourself down unnecessarily,

I agree 100%

[Nedusa]

I'm seeing an awful lot of new Posters posting to this thread but when I look at most of them in more detail they are actually all long time posters...

Good to see so many new "faces" back here..........now Body Image ???