A recent article from FOX news captured a series of photos of a surprisingly heavier Jessica Simpson from her most recent concert performance. The media frenzy that followed was harsh, calling her “fat” and “huge,” even though Jessica is still healthy, of normal weight and is happy with herself. Family members and friends of the pop star were “very upset” over the callous buzz in the media. In response to the negative press, even fellow celebrity Kim Kardashian made a statement in her personal blog explaining how disgusted she was over the negative attention Jessica had been receiving from the photos. A concerned Kardashian explains, “She (Jessica) is so drop dead gorgeous and the fact that the media is sending this message out to young girls is mind blowing.” Kim then politely complemented Jessica’s outfit despite the criticism of the media.

So what exactly is the message the media is sending to young girls? Recent studies have shown that the constant critiquing of celebrities places added pressures on girls to be thin resulting in poor self-esteem making them feel that their own bodies are inadequate. An eating disorder statistic calculated in 2007 determined that 15% of young women have some kind of disordered eating pattern and that most of these cases are a direct result of their desire to look like models. This type of behavior is extremely dangerous and is linked to many psychological problems including depression, low self-esteem and a lack of confidence.
The focus on appearance is transmitted constantly through television shows, movies, music videos and commercials that sometimes teach men and women unrealistic concepts such as “thinner is better.” Studies on the matter have determined that the amount of time adolescents spend focused on the media is directly related to their degree of body dissatisfaction and their desire to be thin. One such study reports that 40% of girls ages 9 and 10 have tried to lose weight and that 53% of American girls are unhappy with their bodies at age thirteen. The National Institute on Media and the Family has also projected that 78% of girls will be dissatisfied with their bodies by age seventeen.

The reality is that the added pressure on women to look good does exist and it is most apparent in the media. In movies, television shows and their accompanied commercials, female’s appearances were talked about significantly more often than male’s. For example, one in every three leading teen girl magazine articles focus on appearance with most of their advertisements focusing on beauty to sell their products. In addition, television commercials for female viewers also used beauty as an appeal with a whopping 56% when compared to a measly 3% aimed at men.

The link between the media and the pressure it places on women to look thin has been a popular research topic. Experts on the topic have pointed to several “responsibilities” each of us can accept to change the way we view our bodies and protect ourselves and young girls from these added pressures. If we can learn to focus on “real” beauty, and not the often unattainable appearances that are found on television and in magazines, we may someday learn to overcome the pressures and improve our body image and self-perception.