By Larisssa Villers
Negative body image is a problem many young women face today, and that problem does not escape the women on the campus of BYU.
A recent study at BYU found that female students who feel media pressure about image are more likely to have a negative body image.
The study, conducted by members of a communications research class, was originally intended to find correlation between the amount of television women watch and body image, however, these students discovered something else.
Although TV viewing did not seem to influence body image, pressure from the media did.
'I think our study is really significant. To see that media actually has a real influence on the way we, as females, perceive our body satisfaction, is important to know, ' said one of the researchers, Karen Vargo, 21, a senior from SLC majoring in public relations.
The researchers found that although BYU women are above the average national height and below the average national weight, they still overwhelmingly agreed with the phrase, 'I desire to improve my overall body image.'
'It is interesting that the average weight at BYU is lower than the national average, but the average height is more than the national average. I guess it goes to prove that no one is totally satisfied with their bodies,' said another researcher, Sacha Kirby, 21, a senior from Summerville, S.C., majoring in public relations.
Only one body type is dominantly presented in the media, that of a very tall and very thin woman who meets the criteria for anorexia as 15 percent below normal weight. This body type is also unattainable to 99 percent of women.
The group also found other studies that interested them.
The New York Times published a study before 1992 that found women who had lost weight would deliberately choose to be blind, deaf, or have a limb amputated rather than regain the weight.
Glamour Magazine conducted a survey in which women were asked what they would accomplish if they could achieve any possible goal. The majority of women wanted to lose weight.
Through being aware of negative media influence, society can prevent some illnesses pertaining to eating disorders.
We need to 'put pressure on the media to use models and actresses who look like everybody else,' Dr. Steven Thomsen of the Communications department at BYU told Mike Fillon.
Anyone who may be struggling with eating abnormalities and wants help can contact the Center for Change at http://centerforchange.com.