Media warps body image

by Kristin Terrill

Daily Lobo

Half of the women who visit UNM's Women's Resource Center mention body image and self-esteem issues.

"I would want to be skinnier I guess," said Desiree Kessinger, UNM sophomore. "That's probably one of the biggest things."

Body-image issues can escalate into eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, which can lead to serious health consequences and death, said Summer Little, program services coordinator at UNM's Women's Resource Center.

Women who have these issues might not understand that media images of women have been altered, and those women are not flawless, Little said.

"The media have a tremendous hand in it," Little said.

She criticized advertisements that have celebrities who obviously have eating disorders and are being rewarded for it.

"I know it's good to be skinny and be healthy, but they shouldn't overemphasize the people who are so tiny-waisted," Kessinger said. "Everyone is beautiful in their own way."

Cherie DeVore, UNM freshman said a lot of things in the media concerning body image are disturbing. She said if women in the advertisements do that to their bodies, so be it. Anybody who doesn't like it doesn't have to look at it, she said.

"People should have more respect for their bodies," she said. "It's a sacred thing. Don't exploit it."

According to the Anorexia Nervosa and Related Eating Disorders Web site, males who experience eating disorders make up about 10 percent of people who have the disorders. The Web site states that men are given a different body ideal - to be big and powerful.

Drew Johnson, UNM sophomore said his self esteem is high, but his body image is probably not as good.

"I wouldn't think I am the most attractive guy," he said.

One percent of female adolescents have anorexia, 4 percent of college-aged women have bulimia and 50 percent of people who show anorexic tendencies go on to develop bulimia, according to the Web site.

For those worried about friends or loved ones who might suffer from an eating disorder, Little said there are options. Mainly, it is important to get information, which is available at the center, she said. It is also crucial not to put negative judgment on the friend or family member, she said.

Little also said society as a whole is responsible for devaluing women's bodies and promoting limited notions of beauty for women and men. This permeates down to families and affects the way children are raised, she said.

But there are ways to counteract negative messages that can hurt self esteem.

DeVore said she maintains her level of self esteem by recognizing her roots as her identity.

"It's not really so much about image for me - it's just about being yourself," she said.

Going to the gym makes Kessinger feel much better about herself, she said.

The Women's Resource Center, Counseling and Therapy Services and the Student Health Center all have resources available for students who have body image issues. The resource center also has a body image peer support group.