The media has been influencing the body images of young people for as long as it has been in existence. From the use of uber thin models to photoshop, billboard advertisements, magazines and countless other media outlets have put unrealistic body image expectations into the minds of the general public for ages. As technology continues to advance further, it becomes possible for people to spend greater amounts of time on social media, and are exposed to increased images that present unrealistic body types. The invention of the smartphone, for example, has allowed many people to spend more and more time on social media sites such as facebook, twitter, instagram, and snapchat. These sites can be used to constantly showcase unrealistic body types
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In this day and age, one of the most controversial aspects of social media is its impact on body image, and how using it can lead to health problems, like eating disorders. One study in particular has collected data that has confirmed this idea. The study was led by Dr. Sidani, Ph.D., M.P.H., assistant director of Pitt's Center for Research on Media, Technology and Health. The study she conducted tracked how long 1,765 U.S. adults spent online per day, and how long they looked at social media sites during this time. Using this data, Dr. Sidani then calculated the increased risk of body image issues that spending this time online can lead to. The data gathered …show more content…
For example, people have started online groups and associations dedicated to helping those with body image issues, and eating disorders. These groups fundraise, and advocate for awareness about the problem, and bring people together to fight against a common cause. some groups, in particular, that have helped many people suffering with self-image problems and eating disorders is The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) and MentorCONNECT. “NEDA and MentorCONNECT [are] the first global eating disorders nonprofit mentoring community” (PRNewswire 1). These organizations help to organize fundraising events for eating disorder awareness week, which takes place during the last week of February every year. They continue to help people struggling with how they view their bodies and how they eat throughout the year, and feel like they have really been able to make an impact in the lives of
In this day and age, one of the most controversial aspects of social media is its impact on body image, and how using it can lead to health problems, like eating disorders. One study in particular has collected data that has confirmed this idea. The study was led by Dr. Sidani, Ph.D., M.P.H., assistant director of Pitt's Center for Research on Media, Technology and Health. The study she conducted tracked how long 1,765 U.S. adults spent online per day, and how long they looked at social media sites during this time. Using this data, Dr. Sidani then calculated the increased risk of body image issues that spending this time online can lead to. The data gathered …show more content…
For example, people have started online groups and associations dedicated to helping those with body image issues, and eating disorders. These groups fundraise, and advocate for awareness about the problem, and bring people together to fight against a common cause. some groups, in particular, that have helped many people suffering with self-image problems and eating disorders is The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) and MentorCONNECT. “NEDA and MentorCONNECT [are] the first global eating disorders nonprofit mentoring community” (PRNewswire 1). These organizations help to organize fundraising events for eating disorder awareness week, which takes place during the last week of February every year. They continue to help people struggling with how they view their bodies and how they eat throughout the year, and feel like they have really been able to make an impact in the lives of