Body image and the media

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/apr/16/france.law

Should the UK be considering similar measures?

It's hard to argue that the existence of 'pro-ana' sites is anything but dangerous. The websites offer advice to people who are already displaying concerns associated with extreme insecurity. It seems plausible to attribute some responsibility to the givers of advice for actions taken in response to it.

But the idea that this could apply to the media opens up a much wider debate - namely the press' responsibility for the way in which people, and not just young women, receive the images they promote. This doesn't just go for celebrity or dieting magazines, but for every journalist who is under pressure to find eye-pleasing case studies. Alice Wignall highlighted the predicament earlier this week in an article entitled 'Anyone here been abused and wears a size 10?'.

Where do we draw the line between noting an unrealistic portrayal of normality and actually holding the media responsible for the consequences when people internalise those images to destructive effect? What about all those 30 and 40 somethings who pursue plastic surgery to stay looking unnaturally young, obsessed with maintaining the body of a 22-year-old? It's not so blatant as anorexia, but it's hard to defend it as a completely healthy attitude to the body.