Photo: twitter / © Meg Gaiger
Socking development in children
It is a picture that speaks volumes - about alleged beauty ideals and the pressures of today's society. A shocking number of children already suffer from eating disorders.
A little girl is sitting on the floor almost naked. Around her are photos of glossy magazines. They show slim women. "Slim" - this word has become a synonym for "beautiful". A sad development, of which even the youngest are unfortunately not spared. They also realize early on that slim women are beautiful women - at least, if you believe the media and the fashion industry. Unfortunately, children can not tell what they believe or should not believe. They are looking for role models and are confronted with models and retouched women everywhere. No wonder that this influence eventually affects the psyche of the children and often leads to eating disorders.
This heartbreaking image is too much about our fashion industry. Photographer: Meg Gaiger pic.twitter.com/ELXnXjGMEC
- Plus Size Fashion (@PlussizeSA) September 6, 2014
Every fifth child in Germany with suspected eating disorder
Parents should explain to their children that not only can you be beautiful as a super slim woman. You should never say "you are too fat" to them. Much more important is to strengthen their self-esteem so that they realize that they do not have to emulate a lean model in order to be loved. Of course, it is still important to teach them that you should pay attention to a healthy diet. But not on the grounds that they are otherwise fat and ugly, but because it does not do their body good if they eat only unhealthy.
The situation is serious. According to a study conducted by the Child and Adolescent Health Survey, one fifth of all 11 to 17-year-olds in Germany are suspected of having an eating disorder. A really frightening balance, which also reflects this picture of photographer Meg Gaiger.
