How+cultural+and+Psychological+factors+influence+mental+health.

__ // Mental health – How Cultural and Psychological factors influence BDD // __ Jordan El-Atem  8313474   Tutor: Sophie Miller

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The following movie, Zoolander, is an American satire portraying the effect that models, media and society and cultural factors have upon an individual’s perception of physical beauty. The movie encompasses elements from a number of short films based upon the VH1 //Fashion Awards Television// specials, airing between 1996 and 1997. The move focuses on Derek Zoolander, a dim-witted but whole hearted male model who becomes rejected and overthrown as the ‘Top male fashion model’, by another fellow male model. After grudgingly retiring from modelling, Zoolander is manipulated by corrupt fashion officials and brain washed by turning his damaged self-esteem and poor self-perception against him to assassinate the Malaysian prime minister at the next fashion show.

__ // Public Health Issue // __ Eating disorders are a mental illness which results in serious alterations in your everyday diet, such as eating minimal amounts of food or vice versa, drastically overeating. (National institute of Mental Health [NIMH]. 2011) Many will often associate eating disorders with females, however alarming rates of males have been found to have a distorted sense of self perception. Bulimia nervosa is often depicted by persistent episodes of eating large amounts of food; followed by induced vomiting, excess use of laxatives, fasting or even a combination of these. This cycle can occur from anywhere from multiple times a week, as to many times a day. (NIMH. 2011) The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders have recorded that 5 to 10 per cent of those with eating disorders will die within 10 years of acquiring this disease, while 18 to 20 per cent will die after 20 years with only a small 30 to 40 per cent will ever completely recover. (Department of Mental Health [DMH]. 2006)

__ //Literature Review// __
In our society, our culture dictates that beauty is depicted through physical appearance, shape and weight; this gives reason as to why body dissatisfaction disorder (BDD) is so closely linked to concerns about the individual’s physical features (Susan Paxton, 2011). Traditionally, body dissatisfaction and body image has been viewed as an issue faced only to women; many would not have realised or even considered that this issue is being confronted by males. BDD is a very serious concern affecting the psychological health of many individuals for quite some time. Statistics gathered by the Eating Disorders Association of South Australia has reported that, anorexia has now become the third most prevalent disease within Australia amongst females aged between 15 and 24. (Steven Gregor. 2004)

Historically, men’s masculinity was defined through security. However today, this ideology has become invalid. By today standards, men feel that they must depict their masculinity through the portrayal of strength and body image. (Pope, H., Philips, K., & Olivardia, R. (2000))Helen Fawkner is a PhD Psychology student attending the University of Melbourne; Helen has been studying body image issues particularly those confronting males she has stated that “It used to be that men were defined by their jobs; in a sense that has changed and it has been argued that their body is one of the few remaining ways in which they can differentiate themselves from women” (Pope, H., Philips, K., & Olivardia, R. (2000).)

It is estimated that roughly 45 per cent of Westernized males are discontent with their body image, compared to only 15 per cent roughly 25 years ago; while one in ten individuals who have anorexia will be male; four per cent of males will purge post eating; three per cent of males will binge eat; while an estimated three per cent of males adolescents will take muscle enhancing drugs, such as but not limited to anabolic steroids, all in order to acquire the “ideal”body. (Better Health Channel. (2011)).This evidence suggests that body dissatisfaction amongst men is rapidly growing, with not just their physical health at unfavourable risk but as well as their mental wellbeing.

To completely understand the distress and complications associated with body dissatisfaction, one must understand today’s societal and cultural firm ideologies of beauty. Our culture currently heavily and heartily endorses a very thin, small and light beauty ideology for women, while setting an athletic, lean ideal for males. (Susan Paxton. 2011); while heavy negative attitudes are faced towards overweight and obesity. This large discriminatory stigma placed upon larger people in social settings is a consequence of the largely endorsed negative stereotype that overweight individuals are lazy, unattractive, and incompetent and completely lack self-control (Puhl & Heuer, 2009) This discrimination and stigma is established at an early onset of child hood. Larger children are more vulnerable to be teased and socially disrupted in comparison to their thinner peers. Within media publishing’s it has been noted that even in three to five year old children who possess positive attributes, such as being well behaved, will often be portrayed as thin, whereas negative attributes, such as being mean, will be associated with a fat body type. This is further evidence that such negative stereotypes are established within the early periods of life. (Susan Paxton. 2011)

Many who suffer from eating disorders will not be cured; this is due to the fact that many do not seek treatment for their disorder. This is a result of individuals having a distorted perception of their body, as they do not perceive that they have a problem, or conversely, may be too afraid of the weight gain that might occur or be encouraged during treatment, while others may be too ashamed or afraid of the stigma that is associated with all eating disorders (Australian Psychological Society [Aps]. 2011.). Alike many other disorders and diseases, the key in treatment for eating disorders is to seek out appropriate and necessary help as early as possible, as the longer this disorder persists, the harder it will become to overcome it (APS. 2011). It has been recognised that cognitive behaviour therapy responds particularly well in treating individuals with bulimia nervosa and other binge eating disorders. This requires a frequent outpatient visits over the course of a number of months; as well as anti-depressant medication being applied in order to reduce the onset of binge-eating in individuals.

**//__Cultural and Social Analysis__//** Slim culture now plays such an integral part in our society, that is has become a primary focus within our hierarchy of power, media and advertising. Male’s cosmetic and grooming industries have dramatically increased by 37 per cent in sales between the years 1991 and 1996 (Steven Gregor. 2004), with 30 per cent of all Australian cosmetic surgery being held accountable by males. This mass uptake in body image dissatisfaction and care is unarguably due to the mass media and global advertising promotions. Elaine Hosie is a certified psychologist and is the Director of Counselling for an organisation which works with adolescent males. Elaine states that “The media promotes a certain idealised image of what it means to be a male. In regard to the body image debate, the media plays a large role in the idealised notion of what it is to grow from a child, to an adolescent, to an adult male” (Pope, H, Philips, K & Olivardia. 2000) Society and culture play an integral part in the issues we face today. Whether consciously or subconsciously, we as a society preserve the ideology of slimness throughout our everyday doings, such as conversations, judgments and teasing of peers and family members, (Something fishy. 2007) societal values have associated shame with weight, this can be seen with women who do not want to reveal their weight or do not want to be seen in swim wear in public. The passive fixation on weight within family and friends, such as the common quote “Do I look fat in this?” or the hasty comment “have you gained/lost weight?!” Continues to place emphasise upon the ideology that weight and physical appearance play an integral part in our placement in society (Something fishy. 2007).

Society has a history of setting particular stereotypes to certain demographics, this has resulted in certain groups within society to have a higher risk of acquiring eating disorders, and this includes Dancers, gymnasts, figure skaters, athletes and actors. (Something fishy. 2007) Many of these groups acquire eating disorders in a desperate grab to fit the profile of their profession, to please judges, maintain their job and to succeed. However, more often than not, these eating disorders will result in more harm done then actually fulfilling their desires. Teenagers are at a high risk, due to their highly stressful period of their lives. Their bodies are changing with a release of raging hormones. This combined with the stress of school, expectation of peers, and the additional problems of their family, friends or relationship status can easily result in these individuals to be highly susceptible to eating disorders. (Something fishy. 2007)

**//__Analysis of the Artefact__//** The movie Zoolander, is a satire portraying the effect that models, media and societal values have upon individual’s self-perception of physical beauty, often triggering psychiatric problems and resulting in the individual to feel inadequate and “ugly” in the eyes of the public. In the scene provided, Matilda confesses that she was “the fat kid in class”. Immediately after, Zoolander, one of America’s best Male models reacts in disgust. This places a further emphasis on the ideal that weight dictates the level of physical beauty. Matilda then goes forth to state that every day after school, she would read her mother’s fashion magazines, she began to idolize the thin models that were show cased, Matilda began to question her own physical appearance, and as to why she couldn’t obtain their level of beauty. This resulted in Matilda acquiring bulimia nervosa. However when she announces that she suffered from this eating disorder, the other two male models do not recognise the condition, believing that bulimia is in fact a condition when one can read minds. This is indicative of how society does not recognise or believe that eating disorders are in fact a mental illness and does not require the attention or sympathy it is receiving. After this scene, Matilda goes forth to explain the seriousness of bulimia, as which Zoolander responds in a nonchalant manner, clarifying that all models vomit after a meal and before a show, stating “it is a great way to stay in shape”. This segment of the film highlights how society glorifies the ideal of a slender body, and that the stigma for even being a little overweight is too much. Stereotypes and our current cultural values have negatively impacted the manner in which society perceives those who suffer from eating disorders. The large increase in body dissatisfaction can be explained through social and cultural values; media glorifying the ideal of beauty and slenderness; and corporate businesses accentuating and modifying their spokespersons to appear “beautiful” in order to sell their product. Matilda is an example of being victimized by society, falling victim to bulimia after being harassed at school, and being fronted by impossible perfections showcased within fashion magazines.

Through this assessment, I have gained an insight on to how much pressure and power our current society places upon individuals based on their physical appearance. If one is to become successful and fulfil their dreams, due to cultural values of our modern time, it would suit the individual greatly if they were to be thin and considered "beautiful" by our cultural standards. I believe that society does not fully acknowledge the serious nature of eating disorders and if we continue to forefront that weight and shape is indicative of beauty, then our moral development, cultural creativity and our behavioural standards will begin plummet. I believe a more accepting approach and moral beliefs to eliminate the stigma that revolves around mental issues and eating disorders, will ultimately result in an extreme plunge in suicides and deaths that involve these disorders. Through part taking in thorough research within this topic, it has given me a greater compassion towards those whom suffer from disorders such as this, it is of great benefit to have such an in-depth knowledge of such a serious topic at hand.

** //__References__// **
Pope HG, Gruber AJ, Choi P, Olivardi R, Phillips KA. Muscle dysmorphia: an underrecognized form of body dysmorphic disorder. //Psychosomatics //, 1997; 38:548–557.

Pope, H., Philips, K., & Olivardia, R. (2000). The Adonis complex: the secret crisis of male body obsession. Simon & Schuster (Trade Division).

National institute of Mental Health. (2011). Eating Disorders. Retrieved from []

 Steven Gregor. (2004). The man behind the mask: male body image dissatisfaction. Retrieved from []

Better Health Channel. (2011). Body image – men. Retrieved from []

Susan Paxton. (2011). Psychological prevention and intervention strategies for body dissatisfaction and disordered eating. Retrieved from []

Department of Mental health. (2006). Eating Disorder Statistics. Retrieved from []

Puhl, R.M., & Heuer, C.A. (2009). The stigma of obesity. Obesity, 17, 941-964.

Australian Psychological Society [APS]. (2011). Understanding and managing eating disorders. Retrieved from []

Something fishy. (2007). The media. Retrieved from []

battleforthemike. (28 April 2010). You can read minds!? [video file]. Retrieved from [] Great wiki article! It seems that a lot of the prejudice shown to female athletes may be out of male jealousy. The fact that our cultural views depict males to be biologically stronger and faster than our female counterparts seems to strike a lot of fear and jealousy amongst males within the sporting community. If someone who is viewed as “biologically weaker and slower” and can out do their male counterparts performance in their professional field, then how does that make their male counterpart feel; and how does the spectators perception of the male athlete change. I believe that the gender roles are starting to alter; Men are becoming to be vainer and are beginning to apply more attention to their physical appearance, just as women are breaking free from the cultural bounds that once held them. In due time I believe that the gender roles within sport will change for the better. Great read and a very interesting topic! Well done! []

Very interesting topic, it really widened my eyes to the consumerism and selfishness of our generation. Audrey receives a 67 thousand dollar car, yet bawls her eyes out and confesses her hatred towards her mother because she didn’t receive it on the day that she wanted it. Just sickening when you think about how efficiently that money could have been used in aid for others who are suffering in different circumstances. I agree in your statement that you say there is a rapid increase and demand of technology which has begun to decline the level of human contact. I feel that this is the reason that others feel the necessity to stand out and be an individual, so behind that technological wall and marketing schemes, they can be seen for who they are. However this has become all too common and resulted in even more conformity. “Be an individual, just like everyone else.” []