Okay ladies, fyi...I have received so many stories that revolve around our bodies. Some are funny, some sad, and some are just stories about being middle aged and reflecting on our bodies and the changes. Any thoughts on why so many chose that topic? Just curious!

We tend to be obsessed with body image, especially our own. I think we have the media to thank for that. These model types are unrealistic. Photographers have the ability to make them look even better with their magic wand techniques on their computers. I know. I just had my picture taked for my new business card. When I got the photos back I looked ten years younger!!! My boss commented that she paid $10,000 dollars to have that done (face lift). I hate to admit it but I do feel better about life in general when I'm not feeling "fat". I don't aspire to be like I was at twenty but I'd like to be a fit forty something.

Just thinking about our generation of women and the obsession with our bodies.

Do you think that is partly the reason for all the issues with eating disorders in our youth?

Don't get mad at me for suggesting this butI think it could be part of it!

Dots
but of course that's so! It's even worse in younger females -- there are anorexics and bulimics in grade school, and 8 and 9 year old girls on diets. It's also very much connected to media images (not just TV, but also magazines). Many studies have been done on the relation between media ideals and body image. it's interesting to note that in countries with cultures that are basically agrarian, being a heavy woman is the ideal.

DJ, I have always blamed it on the media, magazines, commercials, sit-coms, music videos, movies, and the list goes on. I just never thought too long and hard about placing the blame on mothers. They hear us talk about our food, walks, diets, exercise, etc, which I think is a good thing, (healthy habits) but they may hear it differently.

I am cringing as I type this because why do we have to place blame on any one thing. In fact, we can't. Sometimes you can never figure out the why of eating disorders.

I went to grade and high school with a friend and she later ended up in the hospital fighting for her life due to anorexia. I still can't figure out why...

Speaking of body image...I saw some awesome photography at the local high school.

Kids had taken photos of teens almost naked bodies with words written on them.

One was a boy's bicep with dialogue about not being able to get in the game, sitting on the sidelines, etc.

Another was a girl's stomach with dialogue written all over it about it not being firm enough, perfect enough, to draw the attention that other girl's stomachs draw from guys. Something of that nature.

It was the most powerful art I have seen in some time.

I am psyched because my youngest son gets to work with this photography teacher who encourages this kind of creativity from his students for the next three years and I hear he is awesome.

having suffered from anorexia and bulimia for over 14 years (and nearly dying!) I wish people knew that in many cases it has almost nothing to do with eating!
A lot of the time it is about CONTROL. Frequently the bulimic or anorexic patient is a girl... studies have shown that most cases are girls. And since most are young girls that live at home and feel that their parents have ultimate power in their lives, food may be something that she can control.
Remember, I am not saying that this is always the case.
The body images seen in magazines and on billboards and television do have an impact. But studies have shown that in some cases it comes down to control.
I know some people may not agree with what I have said.
Try to remember I have not said I am an expert... just that these ideas are Some of the possibilities.
--oleladee

Oleladee, I love your screen name.

Thank you for sharing and I am grateful you are a survivor. I'm fairly ignorant on this topic and I have read and heard that the media has so much to do with women/girls body image problems. However, the control issue makes sense. Another reason we need to let our children learn to be independent as they grow up in our homes.

Oleladee, I totally agree about the control thing. I've seen psychiatrist say that the control issue is a big reason why many boomers have this problem later in life. They are going through menopause, their children are leaving home, their marriage might not be working out, and food is the one thing that they can control.

For my one friend who had an eating disordorder she said that she just didn't want to stop getting noticed. WHen she started losing wait, everyone would talk about how great she looked and how proud they were of her. She felt that if she stopped losing, the attention would go away. I felt so guilty that here we were trying to be supportive while she lost weight, and yet it drove her to anorexia.

[ April 07, 2003, 09:02 AM: Message edited by: Candice Johnson ]

I too have suffered from body dysmorphia- feeling that I am much larger than I am, and have gone thru the side effects of eating disorders there. Once again, this beast has raised it's ugly head...now past the "pause" am finding that my body seems to be out of control, and very disappointed and disgusted with it. I was extremely heavy as a youngster, and took a lot of pain from teasing and such- from both adults and peers, I did lose the weight before HS, and that was a great thing for me, emotionally and mentally. I am really thinking I need some help here, but I am strong minded and I would think I could go past this issue. I am happy with my person, and happy in my life, and the only downside is not happy in my own skin, and I know I should be SO past that. I feel right now like I did as a pre-teen, like menopause was (and really is) the reverse of puberty. It makes me so sad and mad at myself for having to buy larger clothing,(here's the bad thing- only ONE size!) despite daily exercise and same healthy diet. Really down in the dumps at how my body has seemed to being betraying to me, despite careful care. Oleladee, have you gone thru something similar...or can anyone out there share some thoughts? I have been really sheepish to post on here about this issue, as it seems SO shallow when you consider how many other issues many do deal with, but I thought at least here maybe I could garner some knowledge or perhaps a path to enlightenment. Sorry to be such a sob sister mess.