Body Image
Your Tasks (300-450 words)
TASK 1- ORIGINAL POST
Please do the following in your original post:
Explain the influence that body image ideals have on eating disorders and other mental health disorders. (5 points)
Describe tactics for promoting healthy nutrition habits while avoiding an unhealthy concern/ over-obsession with nutrition? (5 points)
Briefly describe ways in which we can improve body image ideals in our society. (5 points)
The post must be at least 250 words. (2 points)
Include at least 1 outside reference, cited in APA format. This reference needs to be cited both in-text and at the end of the post in a reference list. (3 points)
—
Body image ideals have a significant influence on mental health disorders, particularly eating disorders. These ideals, which are often portrayed in media and advertising, promote a narrow definition of beauty and body shape that is not realistic or achievable for most individuals. As a result, individuals may develop a distorted self-image and become preoccupied with achieving the unrealistic standard of beauty. This preoccupation can lead to disordered eating patterns, such as restricting food intake or engaging in binge-eating, as well as an unhealthy concern or over-obsession with nutrition.
To promote healthy nutrition habits while avoiding an unhealthy concern with nutrition, it is important to focus on the concept of intuitive eating. This approach involves listening to your body’s hunger and fullness cues, rather than following strict dietary rules or restrictions. It also involves honoring your body and its natural shape, rather than constantly striving for an unrealistic body ideal.
In addition to promoting healthy nutrition habits, we can also improve body image ideals in our society by increasing representation of diverse bodies in media and advertising. This could include featuring a wider range of body types and sizes in fashion and beauty campaigns, as well as highlighting individuals who do not conform to traditional beauty standards. It is also important to challenge and critique unrealistic and harmful beauty standards when they are encountered in media and advertising.
It’s also important to address the socio-cultural influences on body image ideals. as per study by Shaw, J., & Scott, D. (2018) body image ideals can be driven by cultural and societal views of attractiveness and attractiveness. They recommend that interventions that aim to promote positive body image should go beyond changing individual cognitions and behaviours, but need to take into
