Actress Scarlett Johansson, whose resume includes the renowned films The Horse Whisperer, Lost in Translation, and Vicky Christina Barcelona, made a recent appearance on one of the Internet's most influential political blogs to take the media to task for promoting unhealthy attitudes that she believes can lead to disordered eating.

In an April 13 Huffington Post article entitled "The Skinny," Johansson decried the intrusive attention that she believes may prompt film fans to undertake dangerous weight-management practices:

According to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), as many as 10 million females and 1 million males living in the US are fighting a life and death battle with anorexia or bulimia.

I'm someone who has always publicly advocated for a healthy body image and the idea that the media would maintain that I have lost an impossible amount of weight by some sort of "crash diet" or miracle workout is ludicrous. I believe it's reckless and dangerous for these publications to sell the story that these are acceptable ways to looking like a "movie star."

It's great to get tips on how to lead a healthier lifestyle, but I don't want some imaginary account of "How She Did It!" I get into and stay in shape by eating a proper diet and maintaining a healthy amount of exercise. The press should be held accountable for the false ideals they sell to their readers regarding body image -- that's the real weight of the issue.

Many health experts have noted an association between unhealthy body image and the onset of an eating disorder such as anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating disorder.

Labels: body image, pressures, causes of eating disorders, celebrities

Posted By: Aspen/CRC