I was on Myspace the other day when I noticed an ad at the top of the page. Unsurprisingly, it was promoting weight loss and diet. I'd noticed in recent months that Myspace in particular has begun having more and more of these ads. Some even directed at a specific age group ("19 and overweight?"). I realize that being healthy--note: healthy, not
thin--is important, but I'm sure there is a way to promote such things in a way that is actually healthy for the self esteem of girls and young woman--age groups of which the Myspace population is largely comprised of:
This photo has obviously been airbrushed (as so many pro-weight-loss images are), but this is extreme.
"I lost 36 pounds in 3 weeks!". If those were the size of her jeans three weeks ago and she needed to lose 36 pounds, what is that telling woman? Those jeans are normal. Not average, mind you (the average size for woman in the US being a 14), but not abnormal. So, basically we're told
Even if you're on the small side of the size range, you're not small enough. Loose another 36 pounds and loose it fast....say, 3 weeks. You'll look as wide as a skinny thigh and oh so sexy. . Not only is that not something I want to be subjecting myself to, but if I had a daughter I wouldn't want her being subjected to it, either.
Maybe Myspace should consider selling out their ad space to more reasonable sites. At least "19 and overweight?" is plausible...
If this is a topic that interests you, you might be interested in this article I came across:
http://www.nothinspiration.com/ana-mia/2007/01/the-stunning-size-12-model-branded-too-fat-for-tv-competition/
bulimia
