Though it may be nearly impossible to fancy, there was an era when spare body fat wasn't looked down upon in any way; in fact, spare body paunch was once thought of as an indicator of prominence. The belief went that someone with body fat possessed the intangibles to eat freely and to eat freely on a typical basis. It should be kept in mind that this perception was in place during an era and in regions where food deficits and food lack could and did take place.

Times have certainly changed.

Excess body weight, especially in Western culture, is not only no longer considered favorable, there's now a strong negative stigma attached to it. This stigma is reflected in the reality that, in most of the West, food is plentiful and easily accessible (though not always easily had, depending upon a person's circumstances). But food plenty isn't the only reason for a change in perceptions about excess weight. Two other reasons also provide explanation: it's now common knowledge that excess body weight is unhealthy; and the media regularly displays imagery of thin people.

The media's show of thin is a powerful image-maker. The visual of slender bodies, often presented in highly desirable ways, leaves a strong impression. And the media shows these visuals over and over again, so the impression is maintained.

This isn't meant to imply the media is using imagery to somehow poison society's consciousness. We must all take responsibility for what we believe in, and how we act upon our belief systems. Still, it's fallacy to believe the media's vast reach fails to affect opinion.

Generally speaking, the media's portrayal of the thin, sculpted body type is used for commercial purposes. The media wants to present a desirable image and attach a product to it. They want to sell, and they're using body type to do it.

But difficulties can happen when people effort to equal the "perfect" body image they observe through the media. Eating difficulties are a possible end product. The broad reality of eating disorders in Western nations is certainly a product of consistent media imagery of slender, and the implication that a lean, trim body is particularly alluring.

There is also the emotional pain and suffering suffered by those whose body type is in contrast to slender. Overweight people can take a psychological pounding because of their appearance. They're at the opposite end of the ideal. They're inferior -- or so the thinking and the treatment sometimes goes.

A thriving body is a desirable thing. A conditioned body is a desirable thing. But, while it may be formidable to do having to cope with such pervasive feedback, each one of us must build our own morals as to what's an alluring type of body, and what isn't. If we sit back and allow the media to develop this belief system on our behalf, we place ourselves in a compromising, and potentially dangerous position.

About the Author

You can get weight loss help at weight loss program. more articles can be found at article exchange.Feel free to grab a unique version of this article from the dieting and weight-loss Articles Submissions Service