Gender Stereotypes & Body Image

First, the obvious questions:

What is body image?

What is a gender stereotype?

Body ImageIs the perception a person has of his or her

body’s appearance. You have a positive body image when you accept the appearance of your body. You have a negative body image when you do not accept the appearance of your body.

How do you know if you accept your body?

Try the “mirror test”.

Gender StereotypesA stereotype is a fixed or conventional

notion or conception, as of a person, group, idea, etc., held by a number of people, and allowing for no individuality or critical judgment.

Gender stereotypes are stereotypes that apply to being a boy or girl.

Why are stereotypes very dangerous to a society?

Who are we comparing ourselves to?

Television actors/actresses?Movie stars?Famous athletes?Supermodels?Musicians?

Do we even know what the average American man and woman looks like???

The “average” American

It might surprise you to know that the average American male is 5’ 9 1/2” and weighs 187 pounds.

The average American female is 5’ 4” and weighs 151 pounds.

Is this what our mass media depicts???

If Barbie & Ken were real life…

Barbie would be 5’ 9” tall and weigh a scant 110 pounds. She would not probably not have periods due to the fact that her body fat is dangerously low.

Ken would look like he is on steroids with a massive 55” chest and unbelievable 27” biceps!

According to Coach “B”, you should probably:

• Be happy with what God/parents gave you• Don’t compare yourself to unrealistic

standards• Do the best with what you have• Eat a well-balanced diet, exercise

regularly, get plenty of rest, and keep stress low.

• Surround yourself with people that support you.

Eating Disorders1. Anorexia Nervosa- typical onset is at

puberty; characterized by self-starvation and poor body image. Persons may vomit, use laxatives, take diuretics, or exercise to excess to achieve additional weight loss. These behaviors may damage the heart, kidneys, and other body organs.

Eating Disorders (cont.)

2. Bulimia- characterized by uncontrollable urges to eat excessively and then to rid the body of the food (most likely through vomiting).

Like anorexia, bulimia can cause severe damage to internal organs. But in bulimia, the addition of vomiting causes stomach acids to injure the stomach lining, mouth, and throat. Both anorexia and bulimia may lead to malnutrition. They may lack the minerals needed for normal heart rhythm, for example.

Treatment for Eating Disorders

People with eating disorders usually are in a state of denial. The root of the problem is emotional, and the person needs the help of a trained professional. A combination of medical help and counseling will most likely be necessary.