Media Impact on Health
Media influence our thoughts about what is "normal" and or what people should "be" like. Unfortunately the media (i.e. advertisements, television, movies, etc.) often alter things (i.e. lie) for a more entertaining story, or to sell (more of) a product. This has made people more unhealthy!
Health, and following a proper program to remain healthy, also involves developing a healthy self body-image. Unfortunately, many image presented in media/advertising works against developing a positive self image. But, by understanding what is happening one can start to counter the effects.
Stereotypes:
Body Image:
Stereotypes:
- Stereotypes in media, (gender roles, etc.) are often designed to be caricatures of the real things for quick identification, and or set in a way that helps for the maker of the content tell a story (funny situation, create conflict, solve problem, etc.). However, these stereotyped portrayals can have an impact on how we believe we, or others, should act.
- Typical Tropes:
- Fat and or goofy husband with an attractive serious wife who fixes everything
- Helpless/clueless woman saved by a rugged muscled male hero
- Typical Tropes:
- But, what messages does these repeated images tell us? Men should either be the rugged hero, or the useless goof ball; while women are either helpless damsel or seemingly overbearing unfun woman.
- However, things we traditionally picture along gender lines are just made up, and we can change them as we see fit.
- Boy & Girl clothes and colours were chosen as a way to sell more clothing
- Ancient Greeks & Romans saw men crying as manly because it showed passion and only changed later with Victoria stoicism
- However, things we traditionally picture along gender lines are just made up, and we can change them as we see fit.
Body Image:
- Many actors and or models have an unrealistic or "unhealthy" body size that most people shouldn't or couldn't ever emulate (see: Low Body Fat is Bad).
- These unhealthy images are made worse by Photoshop
- This results in many women being unhappy with their bodies according to a Dove survey
- Many men are feeling the effects of unrealistic advertising, as well (Superheroes, etc.).
- These negative body images can result in low self esteem and eating disorders in places where there were traditionally none.
- Click on this link to find out how to get help, in Canada, for eating disorders.
- As a result, some companies like Dove has created a Youtube channel Dove US which shows its more body positive advertising
- What we must understand is that what is beautiful changes for both Men and Women, and we can change it again!
- Pale was seen as beautiful for centuries because it meant you didn't have to work in the sun, then when celebrities starting taking vacations in the sun tans suddenly became beautiful. If people start pushing for more images of healthier body types then we can change the perception.
Advertising & Marketing:
- Traditional advertising works by making you know the products name and maybe having some positive connection with the product, through the advertisement. It is a system that still works based on name recognition alone. People make fun of the Golden Arches, but they still make Billions of dollars, and you know which company I am talking about without saying their name!
- Now, with the advent of greater online media Native Advertising has become popular with companies because it lets them hide their message to make you think the product is just popular.
- These types of ads put unhealthy pressure on both the consumer, and the ones being paid to advertise, to fit into the mold the advertiser wants, which is a head space where you will think you need their product
- Always be critical of the claims of advertisers, and think about why they are presenting these images, etc.
Lies Advertisers Tell Us: