We live in a culture that is very image-fixated. The amount of research available to show that those who do not adhere to the ‘thin’ ideal- either men or women- are at a disadvantage is extensive to say the least. Even toddlers believe that ‘fat person = bad person’; in 1969, an experiment at Tufts University showed that 86% of 5-year-old subjects made this unsettling connection. Unfortunately, these values have become pretty engrained into our society, extolled in the media explicitly or covertly. Despite many attempts to dispel such harmful notions, the idea of outward appearance reflecting some sort of inner quality still persists.

Sadly, this causes many to resort to extreme measures in order to attain the image of perfection that is demanded from everybody. According to the Eating Disorders Association, the number of people who develop disorders is on the increase. One of the most common disorders, anorexia, has been given publicity with Fearne Cotton’s programme ‘The Truth About Online Anorexia’ which presented worrying examples of pro-anorexia websites. These sites are incredibly comprehensive, from ‘commandments’ to live by, forums filled with tips and advice on how to shed weight, and ‘inspirational’ images to encourage their members. These formed the most terrifying content of the websites; page after page of (mainly) women that are apparently role models, looking gaunt and hollow, skin stretched over painful-looking bones. It would make the majority of people recoil, but for some these pictures are the ideal to which they try to mould themselves.

I find it disturbing how the epitome of a ‘perfect’ body shape has become so skewed; it is hard for me to see how images of such deprivation can possibly be a source of inspiration for many people. People without eating disorders certainly do not view those in the pictures as attractive, so it becomes difficult to tell who those with the illnesses are actually dieting for. Only those with eating disorders find some positives in such frightening images; indeed, on the pro-anorexia websites, members post pictures of their bodies to show how visible their bones are, and are praised for this by others. These pictures would not look out of place amongst those of famine sufferers; I find it baffling how the same body can be either exalted or deplored, depending on the context. It is very confusing to try to reason how the sufferers of eating disorders can come to worship pictures which they often do not even believe to be abnormal.

It does becomes easier to understand how people can idealise these bodies when the media is full of articles on how to slim yourself, as well as celebrities with unrealistic body shapes. One of the most damaging trends to emerge is labelling women as pregnant when they have just put on a little bit of weight. For example, there were rumours flying around that Kate Moss was pregnant when she put on weight to reach the heights of 8 st 7lb; and she certainly hasn’t been the only star to be chastised for putting on weight. Accusations of pregnancy do strike deep wounds into self-esteem; not many people are fond of the idea of looking like you’re carrying another person around your waist. Furthermore, certain magazines have displayed pictures of celebrities who have put on a few pounds, saying how good they look for doing so, while in the same issue they print images of too-skinny celebrities in their bikinis, claiming they look amazing, which is not clearly contradictory. Such conflicting publicity certainly makes it difficult for us to know where to draw the line between ‘thin’ and ‘too thin’.

Even printing pictures that are meant to support a more healthy body shape come loaded with vocabulary that can only serve to reinforce the unhealthily thin ideal even further. Pictures of women such as Kate Winslett, Kelly Clarkson and Beyoncé are always described as ‘curvy’; in reality, these women are simply closer to the average sized woman. ‘Curvy’ can be used to champion a ‘normal’ size 12-14 figure; but it can also be negatively construed. If these beautiful, healthy women are described as curvy, what does that mean for women who are larger than them? It is yet another term that can cause a negative body image. I recognise that becoming too large isn’t good for the health; I would, however, like to see more women being happy with whatever size they are, without being attacked for the shape they choose.

Thankfully, the media has recently begun to call for being happy in your own skin, with programmes such as ‘How To Look Good Naked’, and many articles championing feeling content in yourself as opposed to striving for somebody else’s defined paragon of beauty. Burlesque has become more popular in the last ten years, which is one of the best ways to celebrate every body type; anybody can be seen as sexy and gorgeous simply in the way they carry themselves and revel in what they look like. This is the clearest kind of beauty; self confidence in yourself and your abilities has been proven to increase the perception of how attractive you are.

The idea of a perfect body image can only ever be damaging. It can become totally distorted in minds of some, causing them to physically damage themselves in order to attain some confused notion of perfection. It causes millions of people to feel inadequate in who they are; I would be lying if I had not looked at myself and been critical of my appearance at some point. Some re-education of how we perceive each other and ourselves is needed; ideally, we need to remove these notions of body images in order to fully appreciate the diversity in our society and celebrate ourselves as individuals.

This is understandably an incredibly difficult thing to ask for; but with shocking statistics such as an estimated 18% of people who call the EDA dying from anorexia alone, it is imperative we at least try to reassess our conceptions of beauty and remove this idea of ‘perfection’ as soon as possible.

Hannah Shekle