Weight Obsession

I have noticed that the obsession to be skinnier has spread to younger and younger generations of women. Magazines and TV shows have made girls self conscious and focused on achieving a certain look. I’m not saying that it is bad to want to be fit or to care about your health or looks, because we all do it. It just worries me when girls in grade school are already dealing with these issues. Recently, my little sister, who is ten, brought a Victoria’s Secret catalogue up to me. Tears were streaming down her face as she asked me why she didn’t look like the models. I honestly didn’t know what to say to her. I mean I know very few people who actually look like those models. In fact, the models don’t even look like their pictures. The pictures have been digitally altered and enhanced to make them look flawless.
I think sometimes the media has caused girls to set unrealistic goals for what they should look like. These girls feel as thought they cant be happy or fit in until they have the “perfect” body. This way of thinking has leaded to many eating disorders and depression among young girls. Kids are still growing, their bodies are still developing, and they need their nutrients. Encouraging kids to eat healthy or to go outside and exercise isn’t a bad thing at all. It just concerns me when they start counting calories.