We live in a society where media and advertisers have glamorized ‘thinness’ to a point where a model who is a “normal” size 14 is considered “Plus Size” and we now have a size “00” in some stores. It can be easy to understand by most at this point that it can be difficult to view one’s body as “normal”, healthy and beautiful when contestants on shows like “Make Me a Supermodel” are chastised for having more than a 26” waistline. The fact that even with a size “1”, the clothing industry has had to not only creates a size “0”, but a “00” is evidence that even though obesity is rising, there is also a backlash where some young women are going to the other extreme. This site is by no means a focus on anorexia or bulimia, but when you are speaking about media and advertising, these problems with body image sort of can get wrapped up in the same discussion.

There is also a noticeable pressure for celebrities to be thin, which has a trickle down effect on the average Jane. While some celebrities and actresses like Kirstie Alley and Carney Wilson have gone through a public struggle with their yo-yo weight issues, there is a new crop of stars that are being maligned and sized up, even though they are obviously fit and healthy. “Dancing with the Stars” pros Cheryl Burke and Lacey Schwimmer were called out (shockingly!) by a fellow DWTS pro about their minute summer weight gains last year. There were also paparazzi photos plastered on the web last year of Ghost Whisperer star Jennifer Love Hewitt in a bikini with many comments about her cellulite. It seems though as Hewitt has succumbed to the media pressure, as it has recently been reported that she had lost 18lb. Coincidence?