It is no surprise that our society thrives on beauty. As Americans there is almost a fatal attraction when it comes to image and all things associated with it (myself of course, being no exception). However, our obsession is driving us into two very unhealthy categories. I did a little bit of research to open our eyes, and honestly even I was shocked by what I found. The chart below shows the most Googled celebrities of 2010 along with their height and weight, the column after that shows a healthy weight for the respective height. There is no surprise that the female celebrities were drastically underweight (maybe that’s why they have such problems conceiving children?) but what I was shocked to find out is that even the male celebrities barely fell within an acceptable range. People constantly ask if Hollywood is to blame for our youth’s body image issues, and in part yes. How can we expect young girls going through the rollercoaster of puberty to feel beautiful when every tabloid is focused around who has the best and worst beach body, or if “so and so” is pregnant or just fat? While it is the celebrities who are dangerously underweight and could certainly take steps to change that, they are just as influenced by our society as anyone else. There is this invisible hand that seems to push our dangerous love affair with beauty. When and where it started would be impossible to say, but at this point we are all to blame for its continuance.
| Celebrity | Height (in inches) | Weight (in pounds) | Normal Weight Range (BMI 19 – 25) |
| Brad Pitt | 5’11 | 174 | 161 - 184 |
| Jennifer Aniston | 5’6 | 110 | 140 - 159 |
| Jessica Alba | 5’7 | 118 | 146 - 163 |
| Kelly Clarkson | 5’3 | 165 | 131 - 147 |
| Lindsay Lohan | 5’5 | 105 | 137 - 155 |
| Angelina Jolie | 5’7 | 120 | 143 - 163 |
| Adam Lambert | 6’1 | 170 | 168 - 192 |
| Paris Hilton | 5’9 | 110 | 140 - 159 |
| Kayne West | 5’8 | 160 | 152 - 172 |
| Madonna | 5’4 | 100 | 134 - 151 |
| Chris Brown | 6’0 | 158 | 164 - 188 |
| Britney Spears | 5’5 | 105 | 137 - 155 |
| Taylor Swift | 5’10 | 120 | 152 - 173 |
| Beyonce | 5’5 | 130 | 137 - 155 |
| Miley Cyrus | 5’4 | 104 | 134 - 151 |
| Michael Jackson | 5’8 | 112 | 152 - 172 |
| Lady Gaga | 5’1 | 95 | 125 - 140 |
(The information above was collected through various websites found on www.Google.com)
(Average weights found on http://www.healthchecksystems.com/heightweightchart.htm)
Some Facts:
- Estimated that 8 million Americans have an eating disorder
- 1 in 200 American women suffer from Anorexia Nervosa
- 3 in 100 American women suffer from Bulimia Nervosa
- An Estimated 10 – 15% of people with Anorexia or Bulimia are male.
- Eating Disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness.
- A study by the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders Reported that 5-10% of anorexics die within 10 years after contracting the disease; 18-20% of anorexics will be dead after 20 years and only 30-40% ever fully recover.
- The mortality rate associated with Anorexia Nervosa is 12 times higher than the death rate of ALL causes of death for females’ ages 15 - 24 years old.
- 20% of people suffering from Anorexia will prematurely die from complications related to their eating disorder, including suicide and heart problems.
(The statistics above were collected from the South Carolina Department of Mental Health ©2006. www.state.sc.us/dmh/anorexia/statistics.htm)
So what, they are a little underweight; what’s the big deal? I mean, it’s just a few pounds right?
Well. No.
I wanted to give a few facts on Eating Disorders too, just so we all understand how truly dangerous these disorders are. One fact that shocked me: “The mortality rate associated with Anorexia Nervosa is 12 times higher than ALL causes of death for females’ ages 15 – 24 years old.”
Say, what now?
That is compared with domestic violence, substance abuse, car accidents, and all other causes of death.
During my research however there was one study that truly broke my heart. Recent research has found that around half of girls’ ages three to six years old believe that they are fat. Can you believe that? I have a beautiful two and a half year old daughter and I couldn’t image hearing those words come out of her mouth. On the other hand, I can remember being in grade school and worrying about my weight. There is far too much emphasis on pounds in our society, so much so that our young ones who should be care free and happy are concerned about weight and beauty. What are we as parents doing? How heartbreaking is it that our children worry about their image influencing how much they are loved? What kind of society will we create if we continue in this dangerous and shallow lifestyle?
So here are my final thoughts for all of you (men and women). You are amazing for being you. The fact that you were created from a microscopic single cell is a miracle in itself! Every body, frame, and muscle structure is unique to you and you alone. What does that mean? Well, for one, it means a chart or a magazine can’t tell you your BMI in 100% accuracy. Women; don’t forget that you have breasts which are made solely of fat. Your body is an amazing and intricate machine that should neither be starved nor overfed. We should strive to be healthy, eat well, and stay active. The emphasis is not on weight and beauty; it is on self worth and health. Never let anyone tell you who are you or who you should be. At the end of the day, you are the one looking back at yourself in the mirror; you decide your own worth.
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