Body Issues in Teens Caused by Advertising
Avid media consumers, teens are inundated with the images of strong, muscular men and thin, beautiful women featured in many advertising campaigns. Often vulnerable about their changing bodies in the first place, teenagers can begin to develop body issues as a result of advertising. Understanding some of the common body image pitfalls created by advertising can help parents steer teens back to a healthier body image.
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Weight
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Most women depicted in ads have tiny waists and petite frames, creating a culture that celebrates thin women despite potential health costs. A teenage girl can begin to develop body issues about her own waistline, hips and thighs after viewing unrealistic images. A teen who begins to develop complexes about her weight may start weighing herself regularly, increasing exercise regimens or cutting back on meals and snacks. Unfortunately, obsession with these activities can lead to eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia.
Muscle Development
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Advertising celebrates the stereotypical male hero, with broad shoulders, defined biceps and six-pack abdominal muscles. These images can create anxiety for a teen who feels that his narrower frame is not desirable. Some ads, particularly sports campaigns, also feature well-muscled women without visible body fat. Signs that body issues may be developing include an increased interest in working out, incorporating protein shakes into traditional meals or experimenting with muscle-enhancing supplements. Although some teens take a natural, healthy interest in physical fitness, excessive strenuous workouts can have a negative impact on growing bodies.
Sex Appeal
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Advertising can also create body issues related to perceived sex appeal. A teenage girl viewing images of provocatively dressed women may feel that her own wardrobe or body isn̵7;t sexy enough, for example. This can lead to feeling pressured to wear low-cut shirts, low-slung jeans, midriff-baring tops or shorter hemlines. A teen may worry that her teeth aren̵7;t white enough, or that her hair isn̵7;t sufficiently shiny or full. Similarly, a teen may also become addicted to tanning, visiting tanning salons or avoiding sunscreen at the beach to achieve the sun-kissed glow depicted in ads. She might also feel pressured to purchase undergarments intended for adults after viewing lingerie commercials.
Moving Forward
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Parents will find it unrealistic to protect their teens from ever viewing advertising, because its pervasiveness extends to the magazine racks at the grocery store and music videos playing in clothing shops. However, parents can talk openly with teens about what values are being projected in various ad campaigns. Parents may choose to discuss their own struggles with body issues, and limit which magazine subscriptions arrive in the home. Observe your teen̵7;s eating, exercising and dressing habits keenly; sudden or drastic changes may signal that she might benefit from professional counseling.
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