Blog#9 Our bodies

What role does the media play in how we feel about our bodies? How can health educators help to prepare effective messages that counter some of the negative images and ideas generated in the media? Do you think that the media is embracing more diversity in body shape, size and color than what was acceptable years ago?


This is always a touchy subject, but media does play a major role in how we think we should look. Bottom line is every one's body is shaped differently and I can really elaborate on both sides of this where as I weighed 138lbs not to long ago and I now way 230lbs(just lost 5lbs by the way). The media leads us to believe that being thinner makes you more desirable and more attractive its not right to say that, but it is true. When I was 138lbs I received more attention from members of the opposite sex and everything was just easier as far as my job and me just having more energy to do things and having more confidence in myself. Now, that I am heavier I don't really get the same type of attention, but I am still confident in myself and that is all that matters. Health educators can counter the negative images and ideas by focusing on the positives like promoting confidence and building that up instead of tearing it down like the media does. Also Health Educators can provide information to those who want to learn about the benefits of losing weight if they chose to and  for those who are overweight help them and let them know what they can do to get healthy and stay healthy. I think the media is starting to become more diverse as far as body shape, size, and color is concerned because now curves are in every size, shape, and form and that is how it should be because I stated before we are all shaped differently. Even though curves are in the media always goes back to thinner being a winner and that should not always be the case.