Cultural and Media
Influences
on Health
Michael Todd
Media Influence
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Topics of Interest
•
Body Image
•
Exercise
•
Sexuality
Body Image
Below are measurements of your average adult female compared to
Unrealistic body images.
Average Woman
Barbie
Store Mannequin
Height
5’4”
6’0”
6’0”
Weight
145lbs
101lbs
N/A
Dress
11-14
4
Bust
36-37”
39”
34”
Waist
29-31”
19”
23”
6
It is impossible for a woman to obtain the figure of Barbie.
Celebrities Body Image
Julia Roberts
Height 5’9”
Weight 120lbs
Dress N/A
Bust 34”
Waist 23”
Pamela Anderson
5’7”
105lbs
N/A
36”
22”
Jennifer Lopez
5’6”
120lbs
N/A
34”
24”
The above are measurements of women that you see in the
media. The images that the media portray as beautiful are still
unrealistic for most women.
Body Image
Q: What Effect does the media have on body image?
A: Although the media can be a powerful tool, not
everyone is affected in the same way by the same
media imagery. This is usually because some people
are more vulnerable then others. For example;
chances are that if someone has a low self-esteem,
they are more likely to compare themselves to media
images, which can make them feel even lower about
themselves if they feel that they do not meet the
same standard of beauty that the image they are
looking at is representing.
Body Weight
(Television)
"One of the ways that the media is affecting
the whole epidemic of obesity is the very
heavy advertising…particularly on children's
shows with fast foods, high sugar, high
caloric, high fat foods, bombarding them with
the message that this is the kind of food that
they should be eating.“
Dr. Alvin Poussaint
Television cont’d
Young children don’t know anything about advertising – they
think that this is the truth. “if children think that this type of food
is good for you, or it makes you happy, then they want it.
Advertising aimed at children is very sophisticated. Particularly
with the toy tie-ins to fast food – children don’t realize they’re
being marketed to.
Because children are watching TV, They are also inactive.
“They’re not getting exercise when they sit in front of the TV set,
so they’re not burning off calories.
Exercise
The goal: To change body composition
BMI
What would the BMI say about these two guys?
6’3”
220lbs
27.5
Height
Weight
BMI
6’3”
220lbs
27.5
• This is a good reminder that BMI is only one piece of a persons health profile
• It is important to talk with your doctor about other measures and risk factors
(e.g. waist circumference, smoking, physical activity level, and diet.)
Fitness
Fitness people come from an athletic
model
(team sports, coaches, PE teachers)
Fitness cont’d
Questions to ponder
• How do we measure someone’s fitness?
Fitness testing glossary
• The Performance based model?
Presidential fitness testing, weight lifting marks.
• Is this essential for measuring individual health?
Fitness cont’d
• How many of you remember Presidential Fitness testing in school?
This was a test developed by those who come from a fitness model.
A performance based test that measure ones fitness level, not ones
health level.
• How much exercise is enough? We have heard as little as 30 minutes
Most days of the week. We have heard as much as 60 minutes everyday
Of the week.
• Truth is, these numbers come from a performance based model.
• The fitness experts are trying to make you athletes, not healthy.
• Truth is 20 minutes a few days of the week, will give you the same health
Benefits as exercising 60 minutes everyday of the week.
• Take home Message!!!
We are trying to change your health, not your fitness level.
Sexuality
With media playing such an important role in
the lives of today’s teens, it is no wonder that
many of the messages about teen sexuality
come directly from the media they consume.
Click me
Sexuality
Primetime television, once considered “family hour,” is now a
target for sexuality themes in both action and innuendo.
A recent study by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that more
than half of all television programs, excluding news, sporting
events, and children’s programming, contained sexual content,
incorporating an average of more than three scenes per hour.
Another study by the same group found that teens believe that
the media have some influence over their sexual decisions. The
study found that three out of four 15-17 year olds indicated that
sexual content on TV influences the behavior of their peers
“somewhat” (40%) or “a lot” (32%). Not surprisingly, only one in
four think it influences their own behavior.
Sexuality
Despite its sometimes controversial nature, abstinence remains
the only sure way to avoid unwanted pregnancies or sexually
transmitted diseases (STD’s). Yet, popular media rarely show
teens practicing abstinence in a positive or “cool” way.
Every year on television most teenagers will view about 14,000
references to sexuality, including sexual remarks, sexual
innuendoes, and jokes. However, less than 5% (165) of these
remarks will deal with topics such as abstinence or sexually
transmitted diseases (STD’s).
Conclusion
• Parents need to monitor the programs that our children watch.
• Children need to get answers from their parents and educators, not the media.
• As adults, we need to be better aware of the media influences around us.
• Be happy with who you are and send that healthy image on to our youth.