Thinspiration: Media and Body Image

At one time, it was rare for body image issues to affect children. Today, pre-teen and teen body image near obsession about their body image fuels web sites and chat rooms. Topics such as thinspiration, anorexia, and bulimia are frequent landing places for our children.

What is Thinspiration?

The term thinspiration is a blend of thin and inspiration. Thinspiration refers to a role model (typically a person with eating disorders) who inspire pre-teens and teens to lose weight.

Who Are Thinspiration Role Models?

The thinspiration role model is typically a very thin, attractive female, usually a model or actress. The thinspiration role model, too, is generally someone who successfully lost weight, or is known or rumored to have an eating disorder.

Thinspiration photos are common on pro-anorexia websites. Negative thinspiration is sometimes used to describe photos of extremely obese people to inspire people to diet.

Thinspiration is becoming extremely popular within the online community, especially with blogging sites such as Xanga and Livejournal. These websites offer communities and groups that post pictures of thin people that will be used for the purpose of starving/losing weight.

What's The Problem With Thinspiration? How Does The Media Effect Body Image Amongst Teens?

Take a quick look at the cover of any number of supermarket tabloids. Notice how skinny these celebrities are? Now page through any of the fashion ads within the tabloids. Media targeting teenage girls emphasize thinness as the highest form of beauty. The problem is: This ideal of beauty as represented by today's model (average height: 5'10"; average weight: 110 lbs) is totally unrealistic for today's teenage girl (average height: 5'4"; average weight 145 lbs). As a result, we have a growing teenage girl population chasing an impossible ideal, often putting themselves at a tremendous health risk doing so.

What Can You Do To Learn More About Thinspiration And Teen Body Image Issues?

You will find additional information about teen body image and teen self-esteem issues on our web site. Visit our FAQs pages, suggested reading lists, and webinars for more information on body image issues and concerns.