body self respect

I am a University student conducting a study on body image,  the effects media, personality, family as well as others have on our thoughts about dieting and our self image.this is for my own purpose of interest and is confidential.Body image is how you see yourself in the mirror/ mind, what you believe about your appearance, how you feel about your body(weight, shape,height), and how you sense and control your body as you move i.e. how you feel in your body not just about your body.

The desire for thinness among women is so prevalent that it is identified as a "normative discontent" (Rodin et al, 1985). 42% of 1st -3rd grade girls want to be thinner ( collins, 1991). 81% of 10 year old girls are afraid of being fat( Mellin et al., 1991)and report this is a greater fear than parents dying.

The average American woman is 5'4" and weighs 140lbs, the average model is 5'11" and weighs 117lbs. Media content-  ideal body image promoted for females is: young,, extremely thin, long-legged, tall, an image that is impossible for most women to achieve. The ideal body image for males: young, lean, muscled, 6-pack abdomen, broad shoulders and narrow waist, image may be achievable if genetically endowed and through unhealthy means.

So many of us are taking this image of the perfect body to an unhealthy level, i as well am guilty of this in previous years. The idea that should be promoted is everything in moderation, instead of litterally killing ourselves to get to this much sought out "ideal".Being healthy is best, in my opinion. My question to you, is how far are you willing to let your desire to be "ideal" affect your own personal health and everyday living? Comments please!

My definition of 'ideal' is not determined by anything as artificial as a media image.   My definition of a good body is one that is strong,  healthy & fit for purpose rather than a particular shape or weight.   I have far more interesting things to do with my life than gaze in the mirror or stand on bathroom scales all day long.  If I look after my body it's because I need it to allow me to do those things  for as long as possible ....  not because I have delusions about being a supermodel.  LOL!

I would strongly dispute the idea that 'so many of us are taking this image of the perfect body to an unhealthy level'.   Conditions like eating disorders are a problem, but they apply to a extremely small minority. The vast majority are not in that category - especially if we believe that the average sized person is 5'4" and 140lbs.   Incidentally, that includes those who responded to the surveys of 'Rodan et al' and 'Collins'.  They may have been obsessed with appearance as children/teens (and their career ambitions would probably have been 'princess' or 'pop star') but I think you'll find most of them have probably grown out of it by now... 

thanks for the reply! good feedback