In the 1950s, the "ideal" figure for a woman had become increasingly thin. Magazine articles began recommending diets for women with this less-than-ideal body image. Eating disorders, especially for women, increased substantially. They were now twice as likely to develop an eating disorder as a man (Gilbert, et al., 42). According to Gilbert, et al., who wrote "The Media's Role in Body Image and Eating Disorders," "[b]y the end of the 20th century, the image of the ideal woman was between 13% and 19% below normal weight for her age and height" (42).

          Anorexia became a well-known disorder in 1873. It was considered a feminine and upper-class disorder because women who worked needed to eat so they would have the energy to work. According to Katie L. Frick, who wrote "Women's Mental Illness: A Response to Oppression," "[i]n denying food, a woman could truly be passive and become a weightless accessory for her husband" (Frick). If women were known to have anorexia, they were put in an asylum where they were made to rest and eat constantly (Frick).

          The media are often blamed for many girls and women having issues with their bodies that they would not normally have. The mass media, whether positively or negatively (and in this sense, negatively), have become an influence to anyone with access to magazines, newspapers, the Internet, t.v., and movies. Images are constantly thrown into everyone's face, whether they want it or not. According to Gilbert, et al., "[t]he media are believed to promote eating disorders by consistently portraying only thin, stereotypically attractive bodies, glorifying thinness as the essence of beauty and success, and denigrating fatness by linking it to such negative characteristics as laziness, ugliness, and failure" (41).

          Advertisers generally use these "idealized" images to sell products. Of course they want their models to look a certain way so they can sell more products and make more money. Often, women and girls see these images and then compare themselves to them. According to Gilbert, et al., these "images are presented as if they are real, even though they have been extensively edited, airbrushed, and cropped" (44). Some women and girls do not realize that these images are not real. They think that is what they should look like, but do not. Then, many of them buy the products thinking it will make them look like that certain model.

          There are some people who are trying to change these negative images that many women and girls have of themselves. They are using education to prevent eating disorders and negative body images. According to Gilbert, et al., "media literacy programs educate participants about the techniques used by the media to alter images and make models look perfect, thus enabling participants to verbally and cognitively challenge the thin ideal promoted in the mass media" (47).

          Even in the 1920s, "skinny" became the ideal body image. Flappers were well-known for having this body image. Women and even men were looked down upon if they did not have a small middle because it was a sign of sloth rather than achievement. Dieting was becoming a problem, especially with women. In the 1930s, it was ideal to show off some curves, but to be skinny, as well. Some of this craze was fueled by warnings from insurance companies that people with excess weight, especially middle-aged people, would die early (Levenstein 22). Although it was the "fashion," it was also health concerns that led to the madness to become skinny.

For more information on the media and how it affects people, take a look at Advertising, Women and Beauty.

For the works cited, go to Beauty Standards.