Fad Diets vs. Lifestyle Change

I picked up the newspaper from my university with the headline "Eyes on the SIZE." I have always been intrigued with body image articles and picked up the newspaper. Several articles were discussing various aspects of body image and weight management.

One article discussed size changes (by clothing manufacturers) over the past few decades. I found it interesting that I've often heard Marilyn Monroe wore a size twelve. The truth is, she would wear a size zero in today's world of sizes. Clothes simply didn't come in a size smaller than twelve back then. Manufacturers play off of the mental satisfaction a woman gets from buying a smaller size, and thus, make smaller sizes to appeal to these women.

Another article discussed the media effects on men and women. I found it interesting that a lot of statistics were gathered about the negative effects evidenced by eating habits (i.e. skipping meals, purging, etc.)--with over 60% of college women (on this campus) admitting to currently be on a diet of some sort--yet the people with their pictures said they didn't care about what the media portrays about how their body is perceived. While many may be comfortable with their body image, I'd argue that the media has some impact on how everyone perceives and feels about their body. Collectively, society agrees upon a "healthy" look by body image. Society has been bombarded by a false norm, and as a result, individuals' perceptions have become clouded. The statistics and the individual comments in the article do not agree.

One of the most fascinating ideas to me is fad diets. Personally, I have never been on a diet. I have never told myself I could not have absolutely nothing of any particular food item. I simply love everything too much: chocolate, bread, chicken, sugar...you name it! Also, for me, if I told myself not to eat anything of one particular item, simply knowing that I'm not allowed to have it would drive an added want in me. I was shocked with the number of women who skipped meals. Obviously the media has had an impact on our perceptions of our body. When anyone feels like they need to avoid eating when hungry, the evidence is clear that external forces are influencing behavior.

I am a firm believer in being healthy. Whenever I hear about fad diets or a "quick fix" to a health-related matter, I become concerned about the individual. There is no such thing as a quick fix to your health! Don't starve your body (by starving your body of any particular nutrients or all nutrients together), take care of it. If you are serious about changing your body, recognize it take a lifestyle change. It's a matter of (...I know you've heard this before) exercise, eating right, and taking care of yourself.