Eating Disorders Blog

An editorial on the website of The Daily Oklahoman reported on efforts by the University of Oklahoma to use the image of a popular doll to raise awareness among both male and female students about the impact of media and consumer images on poor self-esteem and related issues:

Just after swiping your way into the Huston Huffman Center, you'll see a giant woman with breasts that seem larger than her 18-inch waist. The mannequin has the dimensions of a life-sized Barbie doll, decked in a lovely pink jacket and feet. This mannequin exemplifies many of the negative connotations that come from the objectification of women.

Barbie, in this instance, is a warning. Don't try to look like her. It's not healthy and is a "serious emotional and physical problem that can have life-threatening consequences for females and males," according to the National Eating Disorders Association. ...

However, this fails to look at both sides of the spectrum, because men are not represented. Men also are subjected to stereotypes and can suffer from eating and exercise disorders. Men do not need to look like Ken, a monster of muscles and objectification only surpassed in superficiality by his wondrously dim girlfriend. ...

Do not try to look like plastic dolls.

Labels: self-image, self-esteem

Posted By: Aspen/CRC 1 Comment

Dr. Laura Anders spent her childhood and most of her young adult years feeling discontent and guilty about her body shape. A growing number of girls and women share this anxiety and poor self-image, and shes started addressing the problem with a program she calls "body transcendence."

Sandy Thorn Clark of the Chicago Sun-Times reported on Anders's efforts in an April 7 article:

Anders knows all about the anxiety, distress and discontent that mirrors can reflect to a staggering 8 out of 10 women, many of whom are part of a growing population of "healthy weight" or slightly overweight women preoccupied with the shame and guilt associated with feeling fat. ...

Body Transcendence is body transformation through transcendence therapy, an active form of psychotherapy that teaches "healthy weight" women -- a population that has been largely ignored until now, she says -- the skills necessary to help them transcend constant and generally negative thoughts about their bodies.

"I say to women, 'You can either work hard in feeling good about yourself or you can work hard in not feeling good about yourself. It's your choice.' That's not always easy to hear," Anders explains.

The 37-year-old Anders, who has operated a general psychiatric private practice in Chicago's Loop for six years, admits she always has tended to experience "normative discontent" -- or dissatisfaction -- with her body and appearance.

Labels: self-image, self-esteem

Posted By: Aspen/CRC 0 Comments