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By BasiliaL-20, 6 June 2008
The world has been striving to battle 'thinspiration' i.e. the ideal of thinness. Spain, Italy, Brazil and India have taken steps to ban underweight models. The psychologists at the University of Texas lately joined the troops in the fight, by adopting a pioneering method to combat eating disorders. 'The Body Project' aims to disclose the conspiracy behind the notion of 'Thin is the best' in order to make the girls aware of their unconscious acceptance of the so-called social norm.
Since 2001, more than 1,000 high school and college students have taken part in the Project.
During the four one-hour sessions, young ladies criticize the 'thin ideal' through writing essays and role-playing with their peers.
Next comes the best part of the programme. Participants are directed to carry out subtle, nonviolent acts such as slipping notes saying "Love your body the way it is" into dieting books at large chain bookstores; and writing letters to Mattel to condemn their production of Barbie, the supposedly perfect but impossibly proportioned doll. With the fatal weapons of "body activism" and a kind of civil disobedience, The Body Project’ turns out to be remarkable.
According to the Journal of Consulting & Clinical Psychology, the risk of participants developing eating disorders was drastically reduced by 61 percent and a positive body-image attitude has been maintained for as long as three years. Such lasting effect is attributed to girls' apprehension of the parties truly benefiting from the social pressure to be thin.
Kelsey Hestel, a high school junior, boldly states that market promoters are simply uncaring and purposefully make one feel like less of a person so that one will buy their products. Hence, profit is made. She once posted signs in a school bathroom saying "You're beautiful. Don't be someone that you're not. Be yourself."
Ana Carolina Reston, a 21-year-old anorexic model from Brazil, died in 2006, weighting only 88 pounds. She collapsed backstage at a fashion show having survived on a diet of lettuce and Diet Coke for the three months previous to her death. Reston's mother warned, "Take care for your children because their loss is irreparable. Nothing can make the pain go away. No money in the world is worth the life of your child."
In the final analysis, anorexia is an identity problem. When a person does not have a clear sense of self, it can give rise to low self-esteem and an sense of inferiority. Unfortunately, many are falling prey to commercials that send messages that thinness-equals-success. Sad to think that while so many in the world suffer and die from malnutrition and lack of food, others in affluent societies are manipulated into hating their bodies so much they want to disappear, and will starve to-the-death to do so.
‘I'm on the top of the world lookin' down on creation
And the only explanation I can find
Is the love that I've found ever since you've been around
Your love's put me at the top of the world’
Haunting lyrics; vocals by Karen Carpenter, one of anorexia's most famous victims. The Carpenters seemed to live a charmed life, a sibling multi-gold album selling duet. Richard and Karen defined wholesomeness with their enduring ballads. But sadly, Karen Carpenter was suffering from anorexia in secret. Her secret was exposed when she collapsed on-stage while singing "Top of the World".
Karen Carpenter died in 1983 from health complications resulting from anorexia.
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