Topic > Impact of Media on Body Image and Health Consequences

There are major ethical questions surrounding the known impacts of media on perceived body image and how these changes in perspective are a major cause of some medical problems. In the United States, photographs that appear on media platforms in mass distribution are often Photoshopped to portray the current “perfect” version of the human body. Often the final image depicted is not even a possible structure of the human body. These same images have been shown to have a great impact on how we see others and ourselves. The media is well known for its influence on its subscribers, often starting new trends in clothing, material purchases, and influencing thinking and morals. These platforms possess the ability to change what we as consumers may consider beautiful, useful, useful, good or bad. There are few restrictions on how these platforms can share materials, allowing them to spread untrue information or distorted images of the human body that appeal to our psyche but not our health. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay From a business perspective, it makes sense to do what sells. If you need to follow trends, create new ones, make up stories or tell exciting, one-sided "truths", why not. If sex sells more than a well-read magazine, then it's sex. These companies invest a lot of resources in discovering what is current, new and exciting. They are willing to pay big bucks for designers to provide input on how to be different and “push the envelope.” Companies are willing to do this because the return will be greater than the amounts spent on the discovery; they are in the business of selling, selling, selling. From a consumer perspective, it's a win/lose situation. While these magazines may provide temporary enjoyment while being read or provide you with the most important thing so you can take advantage of the popularity trend, it is generally a long-term loss. Perception of body image is often skewed towards an unattainable body, and attempts to reach the tiny waste line often lead to very unhealthy lifestyles. Young girls influenced by such portrayals of beauty in the media often develop eating disorders or manipulate their diet according to the new fashion, seriously contradicting their health. “In 2011, the American Medical Association published findings showing that altering photographs in advertising to enhance models' bodies was linked to eating disorders; a year later, the Agency for Health Research also noted that there had been a 119% increase in hospital admissions for eating disorders among children in the years in which Photoshopping had become widespread. We are putting beauty before health and denying that healthy is beautiful. These forms of mass media, which have so much influence on the consumer, should have ethical standards to prevent them from influencing the public in ways harmful to their health. In Israel, it is against the law to photoshop women for use in the media without a clear disclaimer. The same law also states that they must have a BMI of at least 18.5 which is the minimum considered "normal" without falling into an unhealthy category. Not only do they portray real body images and support the concept that there are many different types and everyone has beauty, but they do not encourage their subscribers to engage in unhealthy activities and compromise their health for appearance. If we can reverse the trend and promote a healthy lifestyle and