Politics of Body Image

What historical context impacted your topic? Societies and individuals play a role in what body image among women should look like. Our society's outlook on a woman's body image has dramatically changed since the early 1900's, a change is apparent every decade. Throughout this research I will be discussing how women attempt to satisfy society's standards of body image, and feel pressured to fall into drastic eating disorders in order to be accepted by society. Also how political and economic shifts may impacted society's ideal image of a woman.

The Cultural Politics of Body Image
Author Helen Gremillion
Throughout history body image has been a topic on which Anthropologists have had different perspectives, primarily regarding the cultural politics of body size. Bryan Turner, one of the most influential Sociologists, refused to categorize the body as an object that must appear in a specific manner for a given social system. Concentrating on a woman’s struggle to maintain the current body image, Turner found Anorexia to be a cultural indicator of the loss of self control. Anthropologists examine the meaning in producing, assessing, or managing bodies when size is important, especially when determining the cause and effect of obesity.

The article “Biocultural Dynamics of Body and Shape,” Ritenbaugh (1991) conducted studies of “fatness” with high socioeconomic status among the vast majority of women and men in the industrial context. Ritenbaugh’s goal was to provide an explanation for
“fatness” that does not follow the medical standard of normal or healthy body sizes. Some Anthropologist refers to obesity as a “cultural-bound syndrome” most recognizes it as “fatness”.

Cultural studies researcher Susan Bordo’s Unbearable Weight: Feminism, Western Culture, and the Body (1993), examines slender femininities and the problem among women with anorexia. Bordo argues that woman’s body image is “constantly in the grip’…of cultural practices” (p.142) they can never be considered “natural.” Family’s disorders on body size have become a historical perspective over the last decade. Bordo analyzes the issues of body weight, exercise, media images, and anorexia.

These political topics above influenced by culture and society have affected what the ideal body image of women should portray.

Historical Timeline

Talking about positive body image is good...really believing it is hard.
Author: Brett Wilbur

Dating back to the 1680's, cases of anorexia and bulimia have been recorded. Eating disorders were recognized and the first formal medical condition of anorexia was diagnosed in London by Dr. Richard Morton. Unfortunately, many women in today society suffer from eating disorders in order to maintain a certain body image. Different from the 1900's when Rubenesque women were considered beautiful regardless of the different body shape and size. The rubenesque figure was considered the ideal body image and a volumptuous woman's body was considered a sign of good health. In today's society, the rubenesque woman would be considered to be suffering from obesity. The article by Brett Wilbur, "Talking about body image is good...really believing it is hard", describes how the idea of what woman's body should look like has changed throughout history. The time line below include some examples of how woman's body image have changed from decade to decade.
1900s-1920s
An Image to Heal
Author: Jill S. Zimmerman
Dating back to the August 1905 Ladies Home Journal, the average measure was (38-27-45). The Gibson Girl of this era, made famous by the paintings of Charles Dana Gibson, replaced the full feminine figure of the 1800s. This figure’s was a slimmer and more athletic Gibson Girl. However, in today’s standards the Gibson Girl would be considered chucky. The Gibson Girl was considered the image of beauty until WWI. The Flapper Girl then became the new image of beauty. In the early 1900's, our culture saw a shift from a plump voluptuous female form to a thinner frame with less curves. The new female ideal of the 1920's was named "The Flapper" whom were thin, had a natural shape waistline, and were represented by Progressive Era women. People began to diet and sports became a popular pastime. Exercising began to be viewed as a healthy activity to enhance the body. Commercial advertisements began to portray what an ideal female body image should look like. The look of the late 1920's was termed "the new slender look" and it began with the fashion designers of that time. The new image for females was far different then the ideal woman from only twenty years earlier. Attention was drawn away from curves (bust and hips) and to a more toned-down look. The look was flat-chested with narrow hips and waist. In the 1920s, woman's anxieties skyrocketed, especially since the perfect flapper's body was small, slim, and flat. Fad diets were in, self-induced vomiting, and laxative abuse were becoming much more common. Advertisers took advantage of woman's insecurities about themselves to talk about weight-loss equipment, fad diets, and much more. The message was that if a woman slims down they would be beautiful and happy.
1930s
The 1930s saw the return of the fuller bust, slender waist, with emphasis on legs. The picture on the right is the actress know as the "Oomph girl", Ann Sheridan. Many of our culture today would deem Sheridan as overweight because of her full shape. Sheridan’s sister thought of her as beautiful enough to send in a picture of her in a bathing suit to Paramount Studios. Paramount was sponsoring the "Search for Beauty" contest which carried, as the prize, a screen test and a small part in a movie. Sheridan won the contest and was signed to a contract at the age of 19. The ideals for women and standards of beauty have taken a turn in the opposite direction in more recent decades.


1940s In the 1940s, women became voluptuous and curvaceous. The 1940's brought another change to the ideal female body image, seen in the female movie stars as well. The look of the 1940's was more glamorized and sensual. The despair of the Depression had dwindled and the winning of WWII was near. This brought a new hope and new prosperity to Americans. The ideal female body image then changed to become more glamorous and to have a more sensual appeal. This new image was very pronounced: a higher bust, defined waist, and rounded hips. Women also began wearing heavier make-up to attain the "glow", the look of perfection, desired at that time. No woman more than Betty Grable represented this image of a new, glamorous, sensual hope with curves. She was the pin-up girl of this time period, a musical star with legs so famous they were insured with Lloyds of London for $1,000,000. Betty Grable quickly became a favorite with the GI servicemen of WWII.
1950s
In the 1940s and 1950s, women were wearing girdles and push-up bras or foam “falsies” to enhance their breast line. Slender legs also became fashionable in the 1940s as hemlines rose to save fabric during World War II. Following the war, women returned from jobs supporting the war effort to their domestic lives. Fuller shapes became the accepted norm for housewives and mothers. During the late 1950's the ideal female body image was that of a blonde, German, Elke Sommer. Most likely, in today's standard of the ultra-thin body type, Ms. Sommer would be considered chubby or overweight. Elke was an European sex symbol with her full lips, high cheek bones and sky-high hair. This film star was also one of the most popular pin-up girls of the sixties, and posted twice for Playboy.
1960s
The 1960s most favoritable body image was thin and un-curvaceous, idealized models were waif-like women, and muscle-bound. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was a '60s trendsetter with her signature Chanel suits and pillbox hats. She had the ideal body for high fashion at that time: At 5’7’’ and 120 to 130 pounds, she was a muse for designers. Mattel even created a Jackie O-inspired line of clothing for Barbie, making it clear that everyone wanted to look like Jackie O. While beautiful women are slimmer, average women are heavier than they were in the 1950s. Thus the discrepancy between the real and ideal is greater. Therefore, girls would attempt to achieve impossible beauty standards that were produced through much media trickery. For example, photo cropping, airbrushing, composite bodies, and body doubles.
1970s
During the early 1970s, the model Twiggy started a trend that consisted of an extremely slim figure. Twiggy started taking a large amount of slimming pills, never ate, and had bulimia. The singer Karen Carpenter began her battle with anorexia nervosa. She died in 1983 from heart failure related to the disease. America began to pay more attention to eating disorders after this unfortunate loss. Beginning the late 1970s, a new, more athletic look became popular as increasing numbers of women began to participate in sports and regular exercise. Fitness centers and group exercise activities such as aerobics became popular among women.
1980s-1990s
In the 1980s, the prevailing look among top fashion models not only remained ultra-thin, but it became increasingly anorexic in the last decades of the century. By the late 1980s, the average model looked like a waif and weighed 23 percent less than the average American woman. During the 1980s and 1990s, eating disorders were widely discussed, but they were primarily associated with white, middle-class, and educated girls and young women. Although there was some evidence linking eating disorders with depression and with a history of sexual abuse, these disorders were often associated with high-achieving and driven personalities. Rates of eating disorders appeared to be lower among women of color. To some extent this reflected the different standards of beauty and ideal body types between white women and women of color. Health advocates in the 1980s and 1990s pointed out that non-white women’s experiences with discrimination and abuse based on their race and sex were important, but neglected, contributors to disordered eating habits among women of color. Thus, the prevalence of eating disorders among diverse populations of women may have been underestimated.

Shape Magazine Timeline

Shape Magazine

(February 1996)
"Mind and Body Fitness for the Women"
This year was geared for women who love to work out and care highly about fitness and nutrition. March caught readers attention by adding success stories of women who changed their lives through healthful habit, as well as information about a variety of different workouts. Women doing exercise's correctly and more effective were the biggest issue's that the magazine covered. The editorial advisory board includes 28 of the most well-respected medical and health care professionals in the country. March 1996 Shape Magazine features an excellent article on Metabolism and how to boost it! Also, articles on MSG, warning sign of a bad diet, hot new cardio machines to hit the gym, and much more.

Exercise
Do It Right: Bone up on your shoulder training.
Training Edge: Tracking your target heart rate: with a little help from a machine.
One on One: Trainer Jon Giese shows you three super efficient abdominal moves.
Get Fired Up: Forget the hype. Here's our special report on the truth about metabolism and a workout to help boost yours.
Cardio Nation: Sick of stairclimbing? Check out the hottest new cardio machines to hit the gym. Find out what they do and how to use them.
Diet and Nutrition
Nutrition: M-S-G. These three letters have inspired fear and loathing in the heats of women (and men) for year. Find out the truth about this additive.
Recipe Makeover: Creamy chicken casserole.
Warning Sign of a Bad Diet: Is you hair dry? Nails brittle? Feeling groggy? Maybe it's your diet. Here's how to diagnose your diet and remedy some common nutritional deficiencies.
Mind?Body Health
In Shape: What's new, what's hot in health & fitness: good news for early risers, high tech Pap tests, antibiotics warning.
Health: Asthma demystifies
Success Stories: Three women celebrate their fitness triumphs
Panic Attack: The News on the most common mental disorder

(March 1997)

Exercise:
Do it right! A great tush toner.
Rut Buster: Tricks to make your old workout feel brand new.
Fitness Front Line: Exercisers sleep better. Here is the evidence.
One on One: Simple, effective moves for your triceps.
The plateau Blaster: Want to lift more weight? Do more reps? We've got a serious technique to boost your workout performance to the next level.
Floorplay: A creative way to warm up to exercise.
Diet & Nutrition:
Recipe Makeover: A sweet Valentine treat.
Shopping Smart: Rating low fat candy bars.
The Team Up Diet: Don't let your honey pull you off the healthy eating bandwagon. Our plan (complete with recipes) will help the two of you shape up... together.
Mind / Body Health:
In Shape: What's new, what's hot in health and fitness: Who gets mammograms? ... sexy birth control... poetic therapy...
Health: That burning sensation in your chest could be more than last night's spicy dinner.
Inner Shape: Why pets are good for your health.
Weight Loss Q&A: Answers to your most pressing weight loss questions: laxative abuse... the best cooking oil...
Success Stories: Christina Jackson, Karen Schrier Paris, Lesa Cline
Agonies and the Ecstasies: Sometimes it's good for you to feel bad. Here's why.

(April 1998)

Special Section: Spring Leaning
A FAREWELL TO FLABBY ARMSThey told me boot camp would be six weeks of body busting, mind bending torture. My only question: Where do I sign up?
BEYOND BASIC TRAININGArmy inspired drills for the toughest workout you'll ever love.
KICK BUTT MEAL PLANA 21 day diet of lean, mean power foods to fuel all your hard work.
Exercise:
DO IT RIGHTThe new jumping jack
RUT BUSTERThe irresistible beat of ethnic dance
FITNESS FRONTLINECan you outsmart your fat cells?
ONE ON ONEThree moves for the chest of your dreams.
TARGET PRACTICENone 'on the mark' moves to tone your abs, butt and thighs.
Mind / Body / Health:
IN SHAPEWhat's new, what's hot in health and fitness: role of genetics in training ... help for postoperative pain ... putting an end to acne ... and more.
INNER SHAPEWhy there's more to your reflection than meets the eye.
HEALTHAllergy relief for the sneezing season
WEIGHT LOSS Q&AYour most pressing questions answered.
SUCCESS STORIESHow fitness changed the lives of Allison Romanycia, Tara Getchonis and Elizabeth Elmore.
WINNING AT LOSINGEight women who've lost weight share their secrets for getting - and staying - motivated.
WITH HEARTACHE COMES HOPEThe latest treatments for recurrent miscarriages offer couples new optimism.

(June 1999)
Exercise:
DO IT RIGHTA simple move for stronger biceps.
RUT BUSTERWant to boost your fitness and self confidence? Train for a triathalon.
ONE ON ONEThree moves for sleek, sexy things.
SUMMER GAMESLife is not a spectator sport. Jump in with this exercise plan that gets you ready for anything.
ARMS RACETank top season is coming: Get your arms in Angela Bassett shape with one great machine.
Mind / Body / Health:
IN SHAPE: Yoga 101, Skin Smoothies, Anger and your health
INNER SHAPENature's link to health.
TIME OUTA self described 'Everywoman' enters a triathlon.
WEIGHT LOSS Q&A
Bulimia and pregnancy
How long it takes to lose 20 pounds
And much more…
SUCCESS STORIESThe fitness success of Lisa Walters, Christy Walker and Mary F. Oves.
BODY LANGUAGESurvey says: You have a better body image than most women, and other great news.
Diet & Nutrition:
RECIPE MAKEOVERNo guilt chicken linguine.
NUTRITIONIt is the era of supersizing: we will show you how to avoid drive through dietary disasters.
PACK AND GOShape Cooks Special Section: Six sensational recipes created to delight a day hiker's palate.
BALANCING ACTFat's back: How to lose weight eating what you want (in moderation, of course).

(July 2000)
Get Fit
IN THE GYM WITH GARCELLE BEAUVAISHow the busy co-star of "The Jamie Foxx Show"
Get Fit
IN THE GYM WITH GARCELLE BEAUVAISHow the busy co-star of "The Jamie Foxx Show" stays in shape for acting and motherhood.
ONE ON ONEVary the weights for your sexiest shoulders.
WEIGHT LOSS Q&AHow to eat after a crash diet… why eating breakfast makes you hungrier… hiding food: guilt or disorder?… and more…
WEIGHT LOSS DIARYHow to get back on track after regaining weight.
SUCCESS STORIESAfter leaving her husband, one woman makes her health, well being (and weight) a priority; a tough look at wedding photos jump starts a fitness quest; and a big boned girl becomes an athletic woman.
JUST OUTA fitness high Down Under: Bridge climbing in Sydney Harbour.
Eat Right
FAST FOOD: BEAN STOCKFour cool, open a can recipes.
RECIPE MAKEOVERA light summer treat: low fat lemonade mousse.
NUTRITIONThe downside of variety: when too many choices can make you fat.
SHOPPING SMARTLow fat ice creams: our picks that melt in your mouth.
Think Healthy
NEW MEDICINE FRONTMore options in contraception, find better supplements and more.
IN SHAPEHow to beat food addiction, new ways to pump up your yoga, fitness bargains on the Web and more.
stays in shape for acting and motherhood.
ONE ON ONEVary the weights for your sexiest shoulders.
WEIGHT LOSS Q&AHow to eat after a crash diet… why eating breakfast makes you hungrier… hiding food: guilt or disorder?… and more…
WEIGHT LOSS DIARYHow to get back on track after regaining weight.
SUCCESS STORIESAfter leaving her husband, one woman makes her health, well being (and weight) a priority; a tough look at wedding photos jump starts a fitness quest; and a big boned girl becomes an athletic woman.
JUST OUTA fitness high Down Under: Bridge climbing in Sydney Harbour.
Eat Right
FAST FOOD: BEAN STOCKFour cool, open a can recipes.
RECIPE MAKEOVERA light summer treat: low fat lemonade mousse.
NUTRITIONThe downside of variety: when too many choices can make you fat.
SHOPPING SMARTLow fat ice creams: our picks that melt in your mouth.
Think Healthy
NEW MEDICINE FRONTMore options in contraception, find better supplements and more.
IN SHAPEHow to beat food addiction, new ways to pump up your yoga, fitness bargains on the Web and more.

Women Fitness- 2009

Shape magazine is always replacing old techniques of working out with new and improved ones. Listed below are the new techniques for Fall 2009.

Step One: The Approach
Old technique: A person becomes married to their strength routine.
Fact: If you do the same routine over and over, your muscles will simply adapt; you're likely to hit a plateau because each exercise stimulates only a limited number of muscle fibers.
New Technique: If you challenge your muscles from a variety of angles by adding or alternating moves periodically, you'll get significantly more fibers into the act and develop more tone and strength. For each muscle group, learn an additional 2 or 3 exercises, trying new angles and equipment. (If you can't get instruction from a trainer, there are plenty of books and videos organized by routine for each body part.) For instance, if you usually do the dumbell chest press on a flat bench, try it at an incline. If you normally use the chest-press machine, try the dumbbell chest press or the bench press with a barbell. Expand your repertoire enough so that you can change your entire routine every 6-8 weeks. Women bodies in 2009 are more toned and sculpted than they were back in the 1920s.

Second: Performing your reps too quickly
Fact: Zooming through your repetitions when strength training, you'll be using momentum instead of muscle power. The stimulus for muscle building will not be the same and you won't burn as many calories.You'll also be more susceptible to training injuries such as torn muscles.
New Technique: Take 6 seconds to perform each repetition: 2 seconds to lift the weight and 4 seconds to lower it. (Since you have gravity to help you lower the weight, you need to slow down even more on this phase in order to give your muscles a sufficient challenge.) Slowing down is the single most significant change you can make to get better results from strength training.

Third: Exercising too hard, too oftenThe facts If you don't rest enough between hard cardio or strenth workout, you'll stop making progress and may even lose some of the fitness you've gained. You're also likely to burn out on exercise.
The fix: to keep your muscles fresh and your motivation high, alternate shorter, tougher cardio workouts (for instance, 20 minutes) with longer, easier days (40-60 minutes). Don't go all-out more than twice a week. Keep in mind that the more intensely you train, the more time your body needs to recover. It's a good idea to do a couple of tough workouts and take 1 day completely off each week. On the strength-training front, take at least 1 day off between sessions that work the same muscle group.

Fourth: Coasting on your cardio
The facts: sticking with the same aerobic workout can sabotage your results as much as pushing too hard. To truly boost your fitness (which enables you to burn more calories with less effort), you need to venture outside your comfort zone a couple of times a week, to the point where you're somewhat winded and can feel your heart pounding.
The fix: Instead of zoning out or doing moderate-intensity cardio all the time, mix in some high-intensity intervals twice a week. For instance, after warming up for 10 minutes on the treadmill, increase the speed or incline for 30 seconds to 1 minute, then recover with 1-3 minutes of easy-to-moderate exercise. Keep alternating for 10-20 minutes, then cool down. You also may want to do longer high-intensity intervals--say, 5 minutes--where you don't push quite as hard as you do on the shorter ones

Fifth: Lifting the wrong amount of weight
The facts: If you lift weights that are too light, you won't see improvements in strength, tone or bone density. If you lift weights that are too heavy, you'll compromise proper form, increasing your injury risk. You'll also be forced to recruit additional muscles, for instance, using your entire body to complete a biceps curl, thus cheating the targeted muscles of a good workout.
The fix: For the most significant strength building, perform 4-6 repetitions per set; for more moderate strength building, perform 8-12 repetitions per set, choosing weights heavy enough that you struggle through your final few reps, but not so heavy that your form falls apart. If you get to your final rep and feel that you could perform another one, increase the weight by 5-10 percent. You may find that when you've considerably increased the amount of weight you're using, you'll drop to fewer reps, which is fine, as long as your targeted muscles are fatigued by the final rep. Don't worry: Lifting to fatigue will not leave you with monstrous muscles.

Sixth: THE EXERCISESS: The faux pas letting your knees shoot ahead of your toes, lifting your heels, dropping your knees inward
The facts: These mistakes place excess pressure on the tendons and ligaments of the knee.The fix Holding a dumbbell in each hand, stand with your feet hip-width apart, legs straight but not locked, chest lifted, abs contracted. Keep body weight toward heels and bend knees to sit back and down, lowering thighs to as parallel a position to ground as possible, torso erect and knees aligned with ankles (shown). Straighten legs to stand back up. Strengthens buttocks, quadriceps and hamstrings.

Seveth: Bent-over lat row
The faux pas Rounding your spine and not flexing from your hips, pulling the weights up too far behind you
The facts: These mistakes place stress on your spine and reduce the demand on your back muscles, making the move less effective.
The fix: Stand with feet hip-width apart and hold a dumbbell in each hand, arms by sides. Bend knees and flex forward from hips at about 90 degrees. Let arms hang in line with shoulders, palms facing in. Contract abs to support back. Draw shoulder blades down and together; maintaining body position, bend elbows up and in toward waist until upper arms are in line with torso and forearms are perpendicular to ground, knuckles pointing down (shown). Slowly straighten arms to starting position without changing torso position. Strengthens middle back, rear shoulder and biceps

Eight: Triceps kickback
The faux pas Swinging your upper arm, dropping your opposite shoulder, trying to lift your arm and the weight too high behind you
The facts: When you make any of these mistakes, your triceps aren't sufficiently challenged, and you also may place stress on your shoulder and elbow joints.The fix Hold a dumbbell in your right hand and stand to the right of the long side of a bench, feet hip-width apart or in a staggered stance. (You also can kneel on the bench with your left knee.) Flex forward at hips at about 90 degrees, and place left hand on bench for support. Keeping torso stationary, bend right elbow so upper arm is parallel to ground and forearm is perpendicular to ground, palm facing in. Position elbow close to waist and contract abs. Keeping upper arm still, use triceps to straighten arm behind you until end of dumbbell points down (shown). Slowly bend elbow to return to perpendicular position. Strengthens triceps.

Ninth: CrunchThe faux pas Jerking your neck, not lifting shoulders, failing to engage abs.
The facts: These mistakes will result in a sore neck, and your abs won't get any firmer.The fix Lie on your back with knees bent and feet flat on mat, hip-width apart. Place hands behind head, thumbs behind ears, fingers unclasped. Hold elbows out to the sides. Contracting abs, draw hips and lower ribs together, keeping buttocks relaxed. Without pulling on neck or drawing elbows in, curl up and forward, keeping head and neck relaxed as shoulder blades lift off mat. Hold, then slowly lower back down. Strengthens abdominals.

Tenth: Dumbbell bench fly
The faux pas Lowering your arms too far
The facts: This mistake places major stress on your shoulders and rotator cuff, the delicate muscles that sit underneath the shoulders. Plus, it becomes difficult to press arms up and use the chest muscles effectively.
The fix: Lie faceup on bench, knees bent and feet on edge. Hold a dumbbell in each hand, arms extended above mid-chest, in a slight arc, palms in. Contract abs and keep chin level. Maintaining elbow arc, lower elbows down and out to the side until they are even with or slightly below shoulders. Press dumbbells up and in to starting position, without letting them touch or allowing shoulder blades to rise off the bench. Strengthens chest and front shoulders. Mistake-proof your mindYour attitude may be the one final adjustment you need to maximize your results.
Avoid these 3 mental missteps: Focusing on the numbers instead of worrying over how many calories you burn or steps you climb, focus on the energy and the strength you feel and how wonderfully you're treating your body. While monitoring your intensity and applying the numbers to ensure you're mixing things up enough is critical for optimum progress, you should simply be aware, not fixating. Obsessing over one body part, focusing too much on your "problem area" can backfire, causing you to neglect other muscle groups that are as important for your appearance as they are for your fitness. For instance, if your midsection is your main concern, doing hundreds of crunches isn't the answer; sure, do ab exercises for tone, but don't forget that developing your chest, back and shoulders can take the focus off your middle. Always strive for a balanced workout. Shying away from the unfamiliarIt's only natural to be intimidated by equipment you've never used or classes you've never taken. But venturing into new territory may be just the ticket to better results. If you've been avoiding free weights, ask a trainer to teach you a few dumbbell exercises; if you've shied away from Spinning, hop on a bike. Getting past your fears also will give you a sense of accomplishment and confidence--and what could feel better than conquering the unknown?

Eating Habits 2009- Healthiest Foods

The Healthiest Foods on Earth

Jonny Bowden, 07.07.09, 04:00 PM EDT
(2009-Healthiest Diets)
Eating whole foods with minimal processing, regardless of how may grams of fat, carbs, or protein it contains is considered to be the healthiest diet. Some Examples are: Nuts, berries, beans, raw milk, and grass-fed-meat. These diets are extremely low in sugar, whole food contains nutrients, phytochemicals, enzymes, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and healthful fats. It's difficult to contain a diet with every one of the "healthiest foods on earth," but you can't go wrong putting as many of the above mentioned foods in your personal eating plan. Please look at the link below for additional detailed information.
http://www.forbes.com/2009/07/07/healthiest-foods-nutrition-lifestyle-health-healthiest-foods.html?feed=rss_news