The perfect body

Who’s has the most perfect body in Hollywood? Is it Jennifer Aniston? Jennifer Lopez? What about Queen Latifah? Who gets to say what the ‘perfect body’ really is?

As soon as I started dating I realized that physical attraction is a huge part of it. I also realized that everyone has their own taste. Personally, I usually like men who are much taller than me and have broad shoulders, but my sister is attracted to guys who wear glasses and play the guitar. Every woman is different. Same goes for the guys. Every guy has a different view on what they want their girlfriend to look like. Some like tall and skinny, others like short and full-figured. So why is there this craze that everyone should be skinny? Why aren’t people praised for their own body types?

I started thinking about this because February 24 to March 1 is National Eating Disorder Awareness week. As of now, 10 million women and 1 million men suffer from an eating disorder. I always knew that it was prevalent amongst college girls, but recently I found out that college guys have the same hang ups about their weight.

I never really understood how looking at models in a fashion magazine could make someone want to become bulimic or anorexic, but I think I am starting to understand. The National Eating Disorder Association website talks about the 3D’s, which are dieting, drive for thinness and body dissatisfaction. They also state that Americans spend more than $40 billion dollars a year on dieting and diet related products. So why is this world so obessed with the way we look?

I do understand how having extra pounds could be unhealthy. I do believe in healthy eating and working out, but not to impress the world and have what society thinks is the ‘perfect body’. I think people should eat healthy and work out to live a long life and be true to themselves. If losing a few pounds is going to make someone smile more, then I say go for it, but if you are only doing it to please society, start over and rethink!