The Body Image Tape Measure

With the office in full weight loss mode and many of us focusing on developing a healthier lifestyle, it's important to remember that there is a line. Over dependence on body image can be fueled by a variety of factors: pressures from the media, low self esteem, as well as several other things. But the most important thing to realize is that you don't need to be a size 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8 to be accepted. As long as your healthy, that's all that matters. Sadly, in Aisa the organization Mary France Bodyline disagrees. They targetted women who were "young, figure conscious and upper class" with a unique, slightly disturbing promotional item. These custom tape measured stopped at 36" and then boasted the message "Stop at 36" followed by the organizations phone number. This disturbing promotion was distributed "where women who cared about their looks frequented: salad bars, lingerie stores, and salons."




According to the National Organization for Women:

As many as 10 million women and girls suffer from anorexia and/or bulimia, in the United States alone.

Approximately one million men and boys suffer from anorexia and/or bulimia, in the United States alone.

An additional 25 million people in the U.S. struggle with binge eating disorder.

Eighty-six percent of people with eating disorders report the onset of the illness by the time they reach the age of 20 (by no means is an eating disorder "less severe" when the eating-disordered person is above the age of 20).

An estimated 85-95% of people with anorexia nervosa and bulimia and 65% of people with binge eating disorders are female.

A shocking 81% of 10-year-olds are afraid of being fat.

Young women that have anorexia are 12 times more likely to die than other women their age.

Am I saying that these tape measures will make people develop these disorders? No, absolutely not. But, any of these women mentioned in the above statistics certainly care about their body image. In fact, for many of them it's practically an obsession. What they need and what everyone needs is acceptance. If there was a little bit more of that in the world, might be a nicer place, don't you think?