What defines a girl as sexy? Is it her hourglass figure with measurements of 36-24-36 or perhaps her seductive lips like Angelina Jolie’s or fit physique like Megan Fox’s? Everyone has their own preference for the sexiest woman alive, and who wouldn’t be captivated by their incredibly stunning bodies? However, let me ask you again, what truly determines a girl’s sexiness? “Sexy” refers to individuals with exceptional body proportions.
The media showcases shows such as America’s Next Top Model, Gossip Girl, and Project Runway that romanticize slender bodies and lengthy legs. This depiction of beauty makes it comprehensible why individuals yearn for these attributes, even if they appear hard to achieve. On a personal level, I have faced challenges with my weight throughout my entire existence. In my younger years, people found my plump cheeks adorable and bestowed me with compliments. However, as time went on, cuteness transformed into criticism, and attention shifted towards the excess weight I carried.
During my childhood, I experienced consistent ridicule from others. Family reunions were often occasions for relatives to comment on my weight gain. At school, my peers consistently referred to me as ‘mataba’. I was called various names like ‘tabachoy’ and ‘tabachingching’. By fourth grade, girls would bully me by snorting and whispering ‘baboy’ whenever I passed by. The taunting about my weight seemed never-ending, with people always asking me if I had plans to lose weight.
After years of disregarding cruel remarks about my weight and focusing on myself, I eventually succumbed to the pressure following my father’s passing last year. In March 2010, I embarked on a diet journey that brought me immense joy with every inch shed. My waist went from size 35 and weighing 190 lbs to size 28 and weighing 136 lbs. Despite already being content with my weight, my determination compelled me to continue losing more pounds. The transformation of my body brought me great satisfaction like never before. Throughout my childhood, I constantly felt abnormal and devoid of the delight in purchasing well-fitting clothes without any unsightly bulges. Thoughts revolving around dieting incessantly occupied my mind.
Diet is a method of eating that involves reducing the portions of food that are not beneficial for the body. Personally, I followed a diet by cutting down on rice and sweets, which I deemed unhealthy. I was dedicated to following my diet and firmly believed in its effectiveness. Consequently, I began losing weight and gaining self-assurance. Unfortunately, without my knowledge, my health started declining gradually. Since the 1800s, women globally have encountered difficulties in maintaining society’s imposed ideal weight and figure.
During the Victorian Era, women already experienced Anorexia, a modern disease. In 1873, Sir William Gull, Queen Victoria’s physician, published a book titled “Anorexia Nervosa (Apepsia Hysterica, Anorexia Hysterica)” featuring cases of women with Anorexia. It was notable that, during that time in England, women were expected to appear frail to be seen as spiritually pure and feminine. However, in the 1960s, an international epidemic of Anorexia began to spread.
Teen supermodel Twiggy revolutionized the fashion industry when she started her career in 1966, captivating everyone with her slender figure. Measuring 5’5 tall and weighing an astonishing 91 lbs, with vital statistics of 31-22-32, Twiggy’s appearance influenced women to aspire to be waif thin. Consequently, women worldwide began adopting strict diets in order to fit into the coveted “Twiggy dresses.” In the 1980s, a new trend emerged where young girls were exposed to the idea that to be beautiful, one should resemble Barbie. This notion took hold even among girls as young as 5 years old.
Barbie, with a height of 5’9 and measurements of 36-18-33 according to various universities, has become a symbol representing eating disorders like Anorexia, Bulimia, and Binge Eating. The media strongly promotes the idea that ‘Thin is beautiful,’ as seen in programs like America’s Next Top Model, Project Runway, and Beauty and the Geek. Women face constant pressure from society to have flawless bodies. From billboards to television screens to the internet, depictions of women who are considered ‘perfect’ are everywhere. It’s not surprising that everyone wants to be part of it.
According to the National Women’s Health Information Center, there are over 5 million women worldwide affected by eating disorders. A study in 2003 by Hoek and van Hoeken found that 40% of newly diagnosed cases of anorexia occur in girls aged 15-19. Moreover, anorexia cases among young women aged 15 to 24 significantly increased from 1935 to 1989. Another study by Psychologist Us com revealed that women make up around 90% of individuals with bulimia. Additionally, a comprehensive national survey conducted in 2007 discovered that approximately 3.5% of women reported a history of binge-eating disorder.
The lives of young women in the Philippines are significantly impacted by eating disorders such as Anorexia, Bulimia, and Binge Eating. However, it is challenging to determine the exact number of individuals affected by these conditions due to a lack of reliable statistics. This difficulty stems from societal norms that compel many women to hide their struggles out of fear of judgment. According to Dr. Violeta Bautista, a faculty member at the Psychology Department of the University of the Philippines, those suffering from these disorders often come from families with controlling tendencies.
The patient’s behavior is a way for her to control her own life. Unfortunately, in our society, overweight women and children are often ridiculed, leading to an increase in eating disorders. Personally, I started a diet to avoid criticism and lost 54 lbs from 190 lbs to 136 lbs. However, last Wednesday I suffered a severe consequence of my rapid weight loss – I collapsed during breakfast due to Hypoglycemia.
Dieting has a range of effects, such as kidney failure, cardiac arrest, malnutrition, hormonal imbalance, and death. According to a study conducted by the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD), 5-10% of individuals with anorexia die within ten years of developing the disorder. Additionally, 18-20% do not survive beyond twenty years, while only 30-40% achieve full recovery. It is important to recognize that having an eating disorder should not be underestimated.
Although it may be considered acceptable to ridicule people for their weight gain or protruding bellies, it is important to handle this subject sensitively. While the belief that being larger is not always attractive should not overshadow the recognition that being thin is not necessarily ideal either. Rather than perceiving weight loss as conforming to societal norms, it should be seen as a way of bettering oneself. Placing one’s health as the top priority is crucial and should be given priority.
The following sources are cited:
The text provides links to websites that contain information about eating disorders:
http://www.cureresearch.com/e/eating_disorders/stats-country_printer.htm, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eating_disorder#Symptoms-complications, http://www.something-fishy.org/dangers/dangers.php, http://www.up.edu.ph/upforum.php?issue=19&i=147, http://www.womansday.com/Articles/Health/15-Most-Bizarre-Diets-in-History.html, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twiggy, and http :// morethancoping.You can find statistics on eating disorders by visiting https://wordpress.com/2010/10/18/eating-disorders-statistics. Additionally, you can find statistics on bulimia by visiting https://www.psychologist.us.com/landing1.cfm?keywords=bulimia&content=Bulimia&referrer=yahoo&camp=Psychologist-1&group=bulimia&keyword=statistics+on+bulimia.
