|
Age/Gender
Middle-aged
women as well as children are not immune to the development of eating disorders. The development of these disorders again
appears linked to the cultural standards (le Grange et al, 1997; Shapiro, Newcomb, & Loeb, 1997). Zerbe (1995) states
that in women over the age of 62 the second greatest concern for them are changes in their body weight. The "double
standard of aging" reveals how aging women in Western society consider themselves less attractive or desirable and
become fixated on their bodies (Wiseman et al, 1992).
Gender and age also have their voice in the acceptableness
of body dissatisfaction. Children as young as five have expressed concerns about their body image (Feldman, Feldmann,
& Goodman, 1988). Historically through the decades children have also been found to have negative attitudes regarding
obese individuals, dislike an obese body build, express a fear of becoming obese (Feldman et al, 1988) and do not like to
play with fat children (Schapiro, Newcomb, & Leob, 1997).
A real tragedy and some of the scariest statistics
of all are those surrounding eight to ten year old girls and boys and are presented by Shapiro, Newcomb, & Leob (1997).
Their research indicates that children at this young age have internalized a sociocultural value regarding thinness on
a personal level. Boys as well as girls reported very similar perceived social pressures. These children have demonstrated
an ability to reduce their anxiety about becoming fat by implementing early weight control behaviors. These weight control
behaviors are believed linked to a sense of body dissatisfaction, guilt, and shame. Shapiro, Newcomb, & Leob (1997)
found that 10% to 29% of boys and 13% to 41% of girls reported using dieting, diet foods, or exercise to lose weight. One
concern expressed involves the possibility of using more extreme measures, such as vomiting or using medication if the earlier
methods fail or the pressure to be thin intensifies. At tender ages children have apparently equated success and popularity
with thinness, potentially planting the seeds for shame, guilt, and the development of an eating disorder (Killen, Hayward,
Wilson, Taylor, Hammer, Litt, Simmonds, & Haydel, 1994; Shapiro et al, 1997).
Men typically have been
excluded from eating disorder diagnosis. However, Anderson (1992) points out that about 10% of eating disorder patients
in western society are men. Men and eating disorders are said to be under-studied and tend to "fall through the cracks."
Anderson & Holman (1997) address the issue that advertising has begun to target men encouraging them to change their
body shape. It goes on to state that "capitalism woke up and realized there is a lot of money to be made" as
it has with women for decades (DeAngelis, 1997).
Deborah J. Kuehnel, LCSW, © 1998
Is Advertising Affecting Men Now Too?
Clinical reports
show that about one out of ten patients with anorexia or bulimia are men. In a study that examines both body image concerns
and eating disorders in men, Anne Kearney-Cooke, Ph.D., and Paula Steichen-Ash, Ph.D., found that men with eating disorders
preferred a lean body shape, while men with no eating disorders preferred a V-shaped body, with a strong upper chest and
slim waist.
Men are increasingly susceptible to body image concerns, partly because more advertising is targeted
at them, psychologists say. "Men are feeling as much pressure to look gorgeous as women," says Michael Siever,
Ph.D., a private practitioner in San Francisco who has studied body image in men.
DeAngelis, T., (1997). Monitor.
American Psychological Association.
Pre-Adolescents
Build a Better Body Image
by: Gretchen Hagemann
It's said that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But
when the beholder is your 13-year-old daughter who just grew five inches in the last year and whose face is starting
to break out, convincing her she's beautiful is a challenge.
You know the changes your pre-teen and
teenage children go through are perfectly normal. As a parent, your job is to help them understand and adjust
to their changing bodies.
According to Debbi Kuehnel, there are many things you can do to guide your
child and make her transition smoother. She recommends parents be aware of their child's concerns about their
bodies as early as age 10. "Parents need to be involved with their children," she says. "They need
to communicate with their kids so they know how the (kids) are feeling about themselves."
Effective
communication with your child includes more that just talking--you need to share feelings, listen and give feedback
as well.
- Listen--Listen to the side comments your child makes, Debbi says. Children are not going
to just walk up to their parents and say "I need to talk to you about my body image." If you tune into remarks
like, "These pants make me look SO fat," or "I wish I looked like those girls," you can que
into the subject with your child.
- Share your feelings--Tell your child that you remember going through
the same changes and you know how scary it can be.
- Give positive feedback--Reassure your child all the
physical changes he/she is experiencing are normal, Debbi says.
It is extremely important to
be supportive of a child who is questioning his/her appearance. Try to accentuate your child's strong physical features
and talents.
Parents also need to be aware of the effect media influence has on a child's perception of the
perfect body. You can counteract the image that thinner is better by pointing out to your child that models are
not "your average Joe." "Explain to your child that it is an illusion to sell you a product, but
it is not necessarily what is best for YOU," Debbi says.
Another important factor for you to
consider is your own self image. Where body image is concerned, being a good role model for your child is vital.
"If the (parents) are concerned about always trying to lose weight or always dieting, kids observe that and
pick up those behaviors," Debbi Says. Setting a good example for your child will also reinforce healthy habits that
will last a lifetime.
- Eat Healthy--encourage your child to snack on fruits and vegetables rather
than candy bars and potato chips.
- Exercise--explain to your child that he/she will feel better overall
if he/she exercises. Find creative ways for your child to exercise, like walking the dog.
If your
are concerned your child does have a weight problem you need to be very supportive, because, Debbi says kids who
are overweight are often depressed, too.
Although weight can become a lifelong problem, you need to
be careful when assessing what is healthy for your child. "Parents need to be realistic," Debbi Says.
"Part of it is truly hereditary. If the family is short and has a bigger bone structure, they shouldn't expect
their child to be a beanpole."
Again Debbi stresses the importance of talking to your child about
body image. Ask him/her if they feel they have a weight problem. "Talk about it and set goals with your children,
not for them," she says. "A parent's goal should be to have the healthiest kid, not the thinnest."
Reference
Hagemann, G., (1996). Build a better body image. St. Louis Parent. August.
|
