Pressure from media on adolescents (especially girls) to be thin is at its worst. In one of my college courses, we took an in depth look at just how much teen girls are exposed to images of extremely thin models/celebrities in magazines, movies, and advertisements. The ongoing exposure can often produce negative self-esteem and result in eating disorders.

I think it is important for parents to be aware of its effects on their child and talk to them about how women featured in these images can sometimes be unrealistic or photoshop- enhanced. Girls should be taught at a young age that  the majority of women in America are NOT a size zero.

Dove has a great campaign that features real women in their advertisments, and on their website you can find ways for moms to improve self-esteem in the home.

Here is the link:

campaignforrealbeauty.com