Not a day goes by without a mention of the so-called "Size Zero Debate", but are we actually causing more harm than good by keeping this subject in the media?
Celebrities and models are being hit hardest in this campaign, for the sole reason that they are role models and should be setting a good example for young girls.
This argument, however, underestimates the intelligence of young girls by implying that they are fickle enough to comply with everything they see in the media. Yes, they are at an impressionable age, but this does not mean that a photograph of Keira Knightley and her protruding ribs will evoke a desire to stop eating, in the same way that opening a magazine to see Lindsay Lohan’s mugshot will not provoke a riot of drunken teenage drivers.
What I do find disturbing, however, is that in acknowledging the existence of pro-anorexia networks, we’re providing access to them. After reading one size-zero-bashing article just this week, I hit the internet armed with five website addresses, where tips for successful fasting and purging were being discussed.
We must remember that eating disorders are a mental disease with underlying factors such as perfectionism and the need for control, and the main intention of these websites is to provide support to sufferers. However, in the wrong hands they could prove harmful, and I know that I for one would not know about their existence if I hadn’t read about them.
Now I’m not suggesting that we stick our heads in the sand and ignore the problem of eating disorders, but surely publicly insulting anyone with a BMI of 19 or under is not helping anyone. I call for positive education of our youth, promoting healthy lifestyle choices, and offering support for those with body issues. Only by tackling the subject of eating disorders in an honest and practical manner can we hope to make a change. It might not be glamorous, but then neither is dying.
Leave Your Comments