Photographer : Gregg Oconnell |
On 17 of August myself and two other ActNow interns (Grace and Adrianne) had the privilege of attending the Body Image Forum held by the Young Garvan Institute. The Young Garvan was established to help educate younger people about issues important to them. The organisation encourages the younger generation to become more aware of medical research and opportunities to get involved in medical research projects. With an obesity epidemic closing in on Australia, body image is something which is on everyone’s minds. Why are we so unsatisfied and so pre-occupied with body weight? The panel helped draw some much needed attention to topics such as body dysmorphia, the role of the media, eating disorders and the science behind eating behaviours.
The panel featured Professor Herbert Herzog, Director of the Neuroscience Research Program at the Garvan Institute; Kathryn Eisman, columnist and NBC reporter; Paula Joye, Editor-in-Chief of Madison and Shop Til You Drop; and Ashleigh Synnott, a journalism student at UTS, who has experienced the devastating effects of an eating disorder first hand.
Professor Herzog brought a scientific perspective to the issue, answering questions like ‘will there ever be a weight loss pill?’ His reply? A disappointing ‘probably not anytime soon’. Herzog’s work looks at the brain’s role in regulating eating behaviour, energy storage and stress. Herzog explained that diets are sabotaged by forces of evolution. He said when we restrict food, our bodies kick into survival mode making it really difficult to lose weight. The Professor currently heads the Eating Disorder Research Group at the Garvan.
Kathryn Eisman highlighted the struggle she faced working in an environment (NBC) where women were continually scrutinised about their body size. She drew attention for the need to change workplace ‘cultures’ that promote thinness. This resonated with me, as I used to work in an organisation where body image and presentation were by far the biggest priority. The pressure of coming to work everyday and being “perfect” caused co-workers and I much anxiety.
Paula Joye answered many of the questions about the media’s influence on body image. She talked about the responsibility she feels to readers of her magazines. With the increasing problem of eating disorders, Joye now refuses to publish articles that include diet plans. She hopes that one day she won’t have to put emaciated celebrities on the cover of her magazines in order to get them sold.
Ashleigh spoke openly about her personal struggle with bulimia nervosa and I was astounded by her courage. Every day she struggles with a desire to be super-thin—even though she knows that dieting only leads to disappointment, she still wants to push herself to lose more weight. Ashleigh currently works for the Eating Disorders Foundation, helping to raise funds and increase awareness around body image problems and mental illness.
The forum left me and the other interns with plenty to think about. Hearing the many different perspectives made me question my own thoughts on the subject. For me, body image is a pretty complex issue. I think the media has a responsibility to provide the public with healthy role models, however, having said that, the power ultimately lies with the individual. To blame the media would be naive. Australians need to take an active role and boycott magazines that continue to choose size 6 models for their fashion shoots and covers.
