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Thread: Body Image and the Media

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    Seething Cauldron of Hatred TheAnimus's Avatar
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    Body Image and the Media

    So there has been a storm in a teacup about a Protein World advert.

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-ouch-32497580

    The problem here is the model in question appears to be in very healthy shape, body fat of about 20%, clearly athletic. The product they are advertising is going to be of little use to people who are overweight by much, it's targeting athletic or frequent gym users.

    It's a food stuff designed to help build muscle, it's quite nutritious for those whose exercise regime needs such a thing.

    Why are they in trouble for using someone who is an embodiment of that goal? Few girls over 25 will be able to look like that no matter what they do, should we ban the use of younger models too?

    That BBC News article is absurd, just because someone has mental illness, does not mean the world has to march to that beat.

    Anorexia and eating disorders are a concern, but so is obesity.

    Quote Originally Posted by https://www.england.nhs.uk/2014/12/26/nhs-englands-action-on-obesity/
    Independent research earlier this year found that obesity now costs the British taxpayer more than police, prisons and fire service combined.
    Last edited by peterb; 29-04-2015 at 08:16 AM. Reason: Usual reason
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    Banhammer in peace PeterB kalniel's Avatar
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    Re: Body Image and the Media

    Seems like there are two issues entwined here.

    1) The advert. I've not really looked into it, but at first glance I think the complaint isn't the advertisement of healthy weight or weight-loss products (though I always have massive concerns about any advertising of 'health' or 'medical' products as the scientific proof or lack thereof is always absent), but instead is the specific 'beach-body' phrase, implying that there is a body shape/weight that is suitable for exposing the beach, and by equal implication, others are not.

    So promoting healthy weight = good. Promoting certain body images as more suitable for the beach over others = bad. In my view.

    2) The writer's mental health issues and response to her disclosure of them. It was perhaps unwise for the writer to use the medium of twitter to explain how body image contributed to her mental health problems, since there wasn't the space to write clearly and it came across quite badly. People are bad enough about reading between the lines correctly, let alone for a disease they know little about and for which there is still a great deal of stigma.

    The writer, perhaps realising their mistake, offered to expand further, and it would be great if one day we could be at a situation where someone could flag an issue and other people start to think about it with more knowledge of the possible or past implications, regardless of the actual wording used. But we're not there yet. And predictably the misunderstandings continued in the public/marketing arena that is twitter.

    So a case of lack of understanding of mental illnesses (which are not unique in that respect), and highlighting the downsides of using twitter as a method of communication.

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    Seething Cauldron of Hatred TheAnimus's Avatar
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    Re: Body Image and the Media

    But no one would have sympathy if I said that a poster for a 650S (one moment, I'm just hiding something under the desk) exacerbated my depression because I am not rich enough to buy one, that my car isn't good enough by that standard.

    I don't think their product is targeting people who don't go to the gym, protein supplements are well regarded amongst the fitness fanatics I know, this isn't like they are selling a diet product.
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    Moosing about! CAT-THE-FIFTH's Avatar
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    Re: Body Image and the Media

    The female model in question(Renee Somerfield) is actually a strict vegan who does lead a physically active life and she did mention for all the cries of body shaming,that they were actually doing the same for her.

    'I think nearly every ad campaign you have ever seen is open to interpretation. But saying the ad is body shaming by body shaming the image is very contradictory. Two wrongs don't make a right.'
    Renee, who is a strict vegan, said: 'I am a real person behind the image. I work very hard and live a healthy and active lifestyle which is why Protein World chose me for their campaign. I couldn't work every day as a full time model by starving myself, dieting or not looking after my body. Nourish your body, be kind to it and it will love you right back, no matter your size.

    'I agree that ALL bodies are 'beach body ready'. Skinny, curvy, muscular, petite, tall, short, young and old. Confidence is beautiful no matter what size you are.... Your reflection doesn't define your worth.'
    She admits to working out four-five times per week, including beach running and pilates with weights, and told website Glamour Edition that she has always been on the skinny side: 'My physique is naturally very petite and I am quite tall (5’10). Growing up, this felt very awkward but I have grown to love and embrace my body!

    'I work hard to keep my body looking healthy and fit, which means eating 6+ times a day and working out with resistance and weights to make sure I maintain lean muscle… I don’t like looking too skinny!

    'Confidence comes from how you feel. I feel my best and my most confident when I am fit and toned…. I love moving, being strong and always full of energy. I think there is definitely a noticeable difference between ‘skinny-toned’ and ‘skinny-soft’ – you know when a girl works for her body!' she added.
    But my main problem is that the PR for his company, seems to be quite blunt so instead of difussing the situation has made it much worse.

    'We are a nation of sympathisers for fatties,' a spokesperson for Protein World tweeted to one user after she signed the change.org petition calling for the removal of the advert. 'Why make your insecurities our problem?'
    Now,would I like more adverts with a range of body sizes in them?? Yep,as I can understand where people are coming from when they criticise the advert,but it was protein supplements which are for bodybuilders,fitness people and so on.

    Not normal people.

    I would consider the Calvin Klein adverts somewhat worse since you have toned men and women in weird poses,wearing one size too small underpants,and that is products targeted against a larger percentage of the population.
    Last edited by CAT-THE-FIFTH; 29-04-2015 at 11:04 AM.

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    root Member DanceswithUnix's Avatar
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    Re: Body Image and the Media

    Quote Originally Posted by TheAnimus View Post
    ... , this isn't like they are selling a diet product.
    The advert says "The weight loss collection" in pretty big letters. As a balding middle aged bloke with little interest in or use for beauty products I would have assumed it was in the passing glance I would give the poster.

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    Re: Body Image and the Media

    Quote Originally Posted by DanceswithUnix View Post
    The advert says "The weight loss collection" in pretty big letters. As a balding middle aged bloke with little interest in or use for beauty products I would have assumed it was in the passing glance I would give the poster.
    Yes,but their company is selling stuff aimed towards body builders,fitness people and athletic types. At least with the latter two,they can be obssessed about keeping their weight to a certain level. So its a bit of a grey area,and maybe intentionally so.

    Personally I think clothes companies,actually should get more criticism since they tend to promote more body negative stereotypes.

    Heck you could make the same argument for companies promoting cosmetic plastic surgery,makeup and so on.

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    Banhammer in peace PeterB kalniel's Avatar
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    Re: Body Image and the Media

    Quote Originally Posted by TheAnimus View Post
    But no one would have sympathy if I said that a poster for a 650S (one moment, I'm just hiding something under the desk) exacerbated my depression because I am not rich enough to buy one, that my car isn't good enough by that standard.
    The ill effects of not being rich enough to afford a 650S *shuffle* are not well proven, the ill effects of body image pressure however are well established. But you prove the point nicely - if there were a condition that affects people likely to see a 650S advert and the advertisers weren't aware of it they may react with lack of sympathy when someone points it out to them. In which case greater understanding and dialogue (not via twitter) is needed, not ridicule.

    I don't think their product is targeting people who don't go to the gym, protein supplements are well regarded amongst the fitness fanatics I know, this isn't like they are selling a diet product.
    It looks like it's targeting people who go to the beach, and the product has the name 'weight loss' in it.

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    Senior Member kopite's Avatar
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    Re: Body Image and the Media

    The advert is a bit blunt and the PR Are being pretty harsh in their dealings but there is a a major obesity problem around the world and There are a lot of people for who "fat acceptance" is a way of life which they think is a good thing.

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    Re: Body Image and the Media

    I'm with you on this Animus. But since I'm a male, white mid-class young adult with an office job I'm not allowed to have an opinion about these things, am I?

    I don't think the company has done itself any favours by being nasty but it's received a lot of flak for this advert. Which is from a company based around body image. It's website is all about protein for gym goers. They aren't putting people down, they are showing an aspiration or a goal for people that way inclined. Perhaps it helps that I'm in touch with the real world and can accept that I'm probably never going to be the epitome of the male body, because I sit down at a desk for atleast 8 hours a day.

    Replace the woman (whom I may add, is a perfect role model for aspirational body imagine in my opinion. Is of a healthy weight and appears to be very fit. She isn't a stick figure wasting away) with a ripped male a la Calvin Klein kind of man and this uproar just wouldn't occur. You can not sell the products this company is trying to sell with-out saying something like ''If you take this product it can help you look like this''. It's how advertisement works. Would you buy boxer shorts being modelled by Gazza from the pub with his gut hanging over the waist band...?

    I also think it's a little inappropriate that a BBC news snippet (granted, it's in the 'blog' section) has such a personal opinion embedded in it. The BBC is a public servant to provide me with news, if I wanted a long winded blog post about how someone's feelings are hurt I would join Tumblr.

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    Re: Body Image and the Media

    Off the cuff I think there are two issues here that need dealing with. One is the general issue the critic raised and the other is the way she, and many others, try to deal with that issue.

    The issue she is raising is essentially about questioning the messages that society sends, particularly in the world of mass media (which will reach 'everyone' without discrimination, young and old, stable and not etc.), and being able to challenge those messages and even change society's approach to managing such things (asking questions about what sorts of images and messages a society should permit in the wide-open public sphere, like bill-boards and poster-boards etc). This, it seems to me, is a valid and important common sense question, a question borne of a responsible attitude in always checking one's actions and approach and the effects they might have. It's good to care about how our actions affect others.

    The second issue, though, isn't so good, and is indicative of a trend which is actually quite scary when we see it applied on a wider and wider basis and almost expect it. That second issue is that idea that if we disagree or dislike something we should call on the powers that be to ban it. It's a sort of 'democractic' airstrike whereby we'd want government or some other power to deal with all societies issues and, preferably, in favour towards our views and values. Of course, government should have some responsibility and place for action in these sorts of things, setting standards for common decency as an example, however, it just seems like more and more people would rather call the police or petition a ban than engage in the long haul of true democratic reform.
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    Re: Body Image and the Media

    Quote Originally Posted by Galant View Post

    The second issue, though, isn't so good, and is indicative of a trend which is actually quite scary when we see it applied on a wider and wider basis and almost expect it. That second issue is that idea that if we disagree or dislike something we should call on the powers that be to ban it. It's a sort of 'democractic' airstrike whereby we'd want government or some other power to deal with all societies issues and, preferably, in favour towards our views and values. Of course, government should have some responsibility and place for action in these sorts of things, setting standards for common decency as an example, however, it just seems like more and more people would rather call the police or petition a ban than engage in the long haul of true democratic reform.
    It's one of the more pernicious side effects of socialism, the creeping development of the nanny state and the tendency of individuals to abrogate personal responsibility to the state.
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    Re: Body Image and the Media

    There's a sort of irony in this in that the image in question features two specific things - beach and bikini - and the critic doesn't seem to have brought up that association, when if anything, I'd say the mentality of the bikini speaks more to this (and the source of it) than encouraging people (be it in a good or bad way) to get in shape/be healthy. Losing weight and getting in shape is one thing, putting one's body on display/showing it off is something else. One is a commendable lifestyle (or lifestyle change) with regards to one's health and the other is an attitude tangled up in vanity. I think the bigger issue she needs to face here is that the problem may not be the 'type' of body on display, but putting bodies on display in general, in the first place.

    There's a sense of 'public ownership' in all this to which a great number of girls (and guys) have succumbed. The idea of putting oneself on display and finding value and validation through that. The idea that the whole world has to rate you as 'sexy' or whatever the physical standard may be. Who gives a stuff whether the world around you think you're sexy? Get out there and enjoy yourself, have a good time, swim, kick a ball around, read a book, go for a stroll, do whatever it is you enjoy doing on the beach, or by the pool. Be healthy. Enjoy life. Don't get tangled up in this notion that the beach or the pool is some sort of catwalk where the public own you. You owe none of them anything other common courtesy. That's the truth. Sadly, though, because slim ladies are a rather pleasant sight, ladies are happy to get the attention and compliments and turn heads, and guys are happy to encourage it, and so we have, as a society, encouraged it. So now we have a lot of ladies who seem (big word there) to be thriving on this source of approval and value, and then other ladies who so badly want to join them, and who go to scary lengths to get there, or who can't and get depressed. In response, there are cries against the public elevation of certain types of bodies, and we miss, I think, the root problem that is the public elevation of finding value through the image of one's body, in general.
    Last edited by Galant; 29-04-2015 at 02:01 PM.
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    Re: Body Image and the Media

    Yes, but you are going against thousands of years of primeval instinct, which is to attract a mate to propagate your genes. And however much we try and pretend we are oh so civilised and rise above that, ultimately that's what it comes down to!
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    Re: Body Image and the Media

    Quote Originally Posted by peterb View Post
    Yes, but you are going against thousands of years of primeval instinct, which is to attract a mate to propagate your genes. And however much we try and pretend we are oh so civilised and rise above that, ultimately that's what it comes down to!
    In which case why debate anything....?
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    Re: Body Image and the Media

    Quote Originally Posted by CAT-THE-FIFTH View Post
    The female model in question(Renee Somerfield) ...
    [frenchaccent]Oh Renee![/frenchaccent]

    She's physically in great shape, advertising a product where she would be an aspirational shape, it's no different to a million other adverts that use any model or attractive famous person.

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    Seething Cauldron of Hatred TheAnimus's Avatar
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    Re: Body Image and the Media

    Quote Originally Posted by Rob_B View Post
    [frenchaccent]Oh Renee![/frenchaccent]
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