Never Too Rich... Or Too Thin

Karen Way explains the changes in Western society defining beauty in women over the past few decades. The social norm of what media and popular culture portray as beautiful is expressed through thinness. The thinner the model in the cosmetic commercials or actresses on television shows, the more problematic it has been for teens and young adults who want to emanate this quality. Women who were at normal and healthy weights started to question their body image and thus sought refuge in obsessive dieting and exercising. This practice was only fueled by businesses interested in making profits off of insecure women. According to Way, this trend started the “epidemic” of eating disorders. Way argues that anorexia nervosa are blown out of proportion, but she does not deny the fact that the eating disorder is on the rise. She points out that eating disorders not only affect the rich and famous, but normal people as well. Way explains that anorexia is a physical and character stigma. She cited references to psychiatrist who described every anorexic has self-esteem problems as well as a distorted view of reality. Way believes this social problem is still left untouched because society views it as a norm. Although there is public apathy there, there is not enough change.

                One of the most interesting facts I learn through this article was that although thinness has become the new ideal, Western society has seen an upwards trend of obesity and overweight people. This shows that Americans now lie on two extremes with more healthy people shifting to an unhealthy level. This is also caused by the fact that a normal or healthy body weight or image has changed to include a smaller range of what is acceptable in our culture. This to me means that although society is trying to promote healthiness, it is actually causing a counter effect. We need to go back to the basics of the decades before. Although we cannot undo what has already happened, we can learn from our mistakes and prevent this downwards spiral of society's health.

1. What is the most effective solution to reach out to the public?

2. Are eating disorders over stigmatized as character dysfunctions?