According to National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders Inc. The following statistics were recorded as a result of viewing extensive exposure to images effecting young girls and the view they have on there body.
- 47% of girls in 5th-12th grade reported wanting to lose weight because of magazine pictures.
- 69% of girls in 5th-12th grade reported that magazine pictures influenced their idea of a perfect body shape.
These statistics prove what I had originally thought. What we don't realize is how much of an impact these images in your local grocery store have on how young girls perceive themselves. This type of information is everywhere and easily accessible, making it more of a reality how much of a serious topic this has become.
Teen Health and The Media have also done many studies on how images, television, celebrities and so on, effect the way young girls view themselves. In a study funded by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, "girls 9 and 10 years old, 40% have tried to lose weight". While during a study on fifth graders "10 year old
girls told researchers they were dissatisfied with their own
bodies after watching a music video by Britney Spears or a clip from the
TV show "Friends"." These harsh statistics describe the scares of how images or videos are effecting not only teens but young girls as well. It is important for us to pay attention to our youth and realize when they are making a cry for help.
Links:
http://www.anad.org/get-information/about-eating-disorders/eating-disorders-statistics/
http://depts.washington.edu/thmedia/view.cgi?section=bodyimage&page=fastfacts
