Chapter 3.

8:
Diet and the Media

UNIT 3: Animal Anatomy and Physiology

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LOGO
Course: SBI3C1
TC: Mr. Patel
 2013-2014

Group Activity: Take a Stand

WHAT IS HEALTHY?

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 2013-2014

Group Activity: Take a Stand

STATEMENT: The media should show bodies of

different shapes, not just the stereotypical “ideal”
figures.
 In groups of four (4):
 Define the issue.
 Where is the balance between the medical profession’s
idea of a healthy body type and the social standards of
ideal body types as reflected by the diet food industry
and media?
• Factors that you think contribute to society’s image
of the ideal body
• Other weight-reduction options for people whose
obesity is dangerous to their health
• Other muscle-building options for those who choose
this lifestyle
 Identify the perspectives of each of the opposing
positions.
 Brainstorm suggestions for a solution.
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 2013-2014

Group Activity: Take a Stand

The Issue: Media pressures to be thin are the cause of eating
disorders.
PRO CON
• The social pressure to be thin is the • The cause of eating disorders such
most commonly known cause of as anorexia nervosa and bulimia is
eating disorders. unknown.
• The most common feature of all • Eating is controlled by many
eating disorder victims is that dieting factors, including appetite, food
has triggered their condition. availability, family, peers, and
cultural practices.
• Dieting to a body weight leaner • Low self-esteem, feelings of
than needed for health is highly helplessness, and the need to exert
promote by current fashion trends, control over some aspect of life may
the diet industry, and in some all play as large a role in eating
sports. disorders as desire for thinness.
• Professional models have a severe • If an eating disorder runs in the
negative impact on eating disorders. family that may also be a main
cause.
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Group Activity: Take a Stand
The Issue: Media pressures to be thin are the cause of eating
disorders.
PRO
• The average model is 5’11 and
weighs only 117 pounds; the
average woman is 5’4 and weighs
140 pounds, showing that models
are thinner than 98% of women.
• In one study, 42% of Grades 1, 2,
and 3 girls want to be thinner, 81%
of ten-year-olds are afraid of
becoming fat, and 51% of nine-and
ten-year-old girls feel better if they
are on a diet.
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2013-2014
CON
• Several family and twin studies
suggest a high inheritability of
anorexia and bulimia. Researchers
suspect that multiple genes may
interact with environmental and
other factors to increase the risk of
developing these disorders.
• Gonadal steroids may play a role
in eating disorders, considering
their emergence at puberty or soon
after, and the increased risk for
eating disorders among girls with
early onset of menstruation.