In the past thirty years, America has become a nation obsessed with appearance. In the 1950’s and 60’s, Miss Americas and models wore a size 10 and rarely exercised. Now almost every woman and many men in America have tried some type of diet, and losing weight has become a national obsession. Studies show that 90 percent of high school students diet regularly, even though only 10 to 15 percent of them are considered overweight according to standard height weight charts. The problem is no longer restricted to teenagers and adults, but a recent study showed that 80 percent ten year olds are trying to lose weight (Hittner 84). Why does society says as a whole that we must conform to a ideal body size and shape that is unnatural for the majority of the population.

Body image is a complex topic that has fascinated psychologists for many years. It is related to the mental picture an individual has about their body, the way they feel about that picture, and the way they think others feel about that picture. The media is a major factor that affects body image. Media stereotypes such as fashion magazine models, television actors and actresses, movie stars, as well a

Some topics in this essay:
Mental Health, Miss Americas, Attie Brooks-Gun, African Americans, African American, eating disorders, Thin Hurt, eating disorder, body image, ideal body, body weight, body shape, body size, african americans, modern society, lose weight, Americans Atrens, suffer eating disorders, anorexia nervosa eating, average american woman, negative body image, males eating disorders,