Thank you for sharing this with everyone. Statistics are one thing but sometimes it takes sharing a personal point of view to make people really think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYhCn0jf46U

A lot of people have already seen this video, but it's worth looking at again: the magazine photos are fake. No one looks like that. I showed this when I taught in Springfield, and my students wanted to see this again and again. It's worth reminding us all what's really behind the image.

As a guy, we play a part in this deception, in that we like to see the result. Behind the scenes, girls & women play to this stereotype, either consciously or unconsciously. Guys never see this behind the scenes action & as a result never become part of the solution. Only now, in the past few years, have boys & men, to a small degree, become aware of this sideshow in the back. This predicament has been very foreign to boys, up until a few years ago, when it became clear that a very small portion of the boys & men population had become devoured by the same problem. For guys in this "perfect image" quandary, it can be easier than for girls to incorporate a solution in their lives. But the real problem for all genders is psychological. I don't know, but being a guy means thinking directly about solutions rather than worrying about the problem. I, fortunately, did not encounter this malaise personally when I was a boy. I was bullied occasionally, but ironically & unknowingly, found solutions to what could have been this psychosis. I was involved in the school music programs and involved myself in gymnastics. The real winner in the school system is its development of the music programs. Girls, especially, can really help themselves by participating in a music program at school. Even college, or church or anywhere. 2 reasons: other girls, women like yourself are involved & great network support. (will continue in 2'nd comment)

Being involved in gymnastics really helps with physical attributes and makes eating disorders easier to shed. Food does not become such an important limiting issue, as your body needs the protein & carbohydrates for the development being placed upon it. Great muscular & cardiovascular development for both boys and girls helps eliminate image issues. Of course, many schools don't have great gymnastics programs for girls & virtually none for boys!! Some school districts have individualized coaching & outside programs. I understand the economics of today's world, but there are individual sports as well for boys & girls that also generate appropriate physicality to help eliminate this psychosis. Parents need to help their kids with these solutions. They can't leave these problems with the kids to solve alone. It just doesn't work that way.

With respect to your comments about gymnastics, it's obvious that you've never participated in a gymnastics program, because if you would have you would know that the judging is about 10% of the sport. The bulk of the time a gymnast is working either with a coach or by themselves. In either case, the effort is in receiving, getting or generating personal motivation. The psychology is always toward development, not fear. People with time on their hands worry & fear the onslaught of disorders. When someone is working to improve a gymnastic move or position, the total concentration is devoted to acomplishing the physical activity. At the moment of accomplishment, the rewards are HUGE, as the gymnast feels a great sense of achievement and the coach gives great accolades, right in the middle of the move! At that moment, the gymnast develops a greater sense of accomplishment & the willpower factor grows exponentially. A gymnast will leave a practice feeling very good about themselves, that they were able to do the move they've never done before. They usually go to bed that night with a feeling of great satisfaction from the day's effort. The trend is away from disorders, not toward them. I implore you to talk to other gymnasts & get their "take" on this subject. See if my "take" is incorrect.

I thought the Olympics now requires gymnasts to be at least 14 for this reason: to stop the pressure for an ever-smaller competitor. Am I wrong on that age requirement?

Interesting essay and feedback. I do believe that young girls have a lot of pressure to look "ideal". It often continues into adulthood a lot as older woman start having plastic surgery to cover up their aging process or have a tuck here or there. It comes down to self confidence in who they are no matter shape or size. That is where parents, school, coaches, could increase the teachings; providing these young girls positive feedback on the right things. In regards to the gymnastics remarks, anyone who is serious in a sport like gymnastics gives up a lot ... money, personal time, pursuing other interests. I commend athletes like that and don't think they necessarily have body image issues but a competitiveness to excel in their sport which means they need to keep healthy and strong to do what they need to do to beat the competition. I feel dancing seriously could offer more issues to girls as there is a glamorous stage presence that is basically expected as they get older and more advanced in their performances.