Unit 5 - Health and Beauty
Text 1
What is beauty anyway?
Every day, we see images of men and women on glossy magazine covers and in advertisements. Have you ever wondered why most of them are picture perfect and slim looking?
The fact is, many of these images of perfection have been airbrushed to conform to a beauty standard,one that is endorsed by the media.It works along this formula: slimness + fairness +young = beauty. By popularizing this ideal, the media can easily exploit people's natural love of beauty to sell products, ideas and services associated with it.
Studies have shown that visual images of physical beauty can make people more self-conscious about their appearance. When used in beauty ads, the less confident can become so affected that they feel compelled to buy the products being promoted to look better, whether they are "miracle" face creams, special health drinks, or beauty salon treatments.
Beauty sells
It is known that visuals (pictures, photos,etc) quickly affect our emotions that in turn help shape our decisions. Their power on decision-making is no secret to advertisers. Thus,digital image editing is widely used by the media to make already-thin models look more "perfect" with smaller waistlines, shiner hair and smoother, fairer skin.By giving these images of "perfection" maximum exposure, the media has successfully popularized their own narrowly-defined conception of beauty to become the accepted norm. Those who already have low self-esteem and body image issues are particularly affected. People have been led to take extreme measures, including going under the knife and other such painful treatments.
Studies have shown that youngsters under the age of 16 are the most vulnerable to body image and body identity security, with children as young as 10 years of age associating happiness with being attractive.Not surprisingly, 80% of Hong Kong teenagers were found to be scared of being fat, according to the Hong Kong Eating Disorders Association (HKEDA). Among the 80%, there were a considerable number of boys that showed signs of eating disorder as well.
To address this image issue at school level, workshops should be held in order to teach students how to feel confident about their looks. They should also be encouraged to develop independent thinking and made to become aware of airbrushed images in the media.
Text 2.1
Starving for Attention
1)
Mary: Jay - guess what? I'm planning on auditioning for the lead role in the annual Drama Production.
Jay: That's great. I heard Betty Yip, our Head Girl, is also going to try out for the lead role. Look - there she is now.
Mary: Oh,no! She'll definitely get the part, then. Betty looks so pretty and slim. Everyone likes her.
Jay: Have confidence in yourself ! You're a better actress than she is.
2)
Mary: I wish i could look like those svelte famous stars on TV.I feel so fat and ugly beside Betty. If I become a "size-zero", maybe I'll be noticed and get the lead role.
3)
Daddy: You've been acting strange lately, Mary. You weigh yourself so often that it's starting to worry me. And you hardly eat anything. Is there anything you want to talk about?
Mary: No, Dad! I'm not eating because I'm don't feel hungry, and this food is so fatty.
4)
Doctor: As your doctor, I need to advise you that eating only one apple a day isn't healthy, Mary. We need to work together to help you get over this. I hope you'll learn in time that there's beauty in every one of us, no matter our size. You need to love yourself and have a healthy relationship with food.
Daddy: Mary, you'd better listen to Dr.Mo.
5)
Jay: You were fantastic in the play last night! Your acting was superb! It was wise of you to go to the doctor for help. Look how upbeat and positive you are now!
Mary: Thanks! Jay! It was amazing being on stage. I guess I owe it to everyone who supported me in my struggle with food. I'm happy to be able to regain my confidence and health. Phew! All that acting made me hungry! Let's eat!
Text 2.2
How to spot an eating disorder?
You need to seek help from a doctor or a counseller if you or someone you know is:
- [x] Overeating or under-eating
- [x] Having frequent mood swings related to looks
- [x] Being over-anxious about body weight/ frequently checking body weight
- [x] Trying to lose weight in an unhealthy way, e.g. smoking , taking diet pills ,over-exercising or vomiting on purpose