Discussion: body image and media messages | SOCW 6446 – Social Work Practice With Children and Adolescents | Walden University
Beauty images shown through the media often are unrealistic. Nevertheless, it is difficult for children and adolescents, both male and female, to stop comparing themselves to the images they may see on television, in the movies, and in magazines. Generally, these comparisons can result in bad feelings about body image and one’s self-concept. As a consequence, children and adolescents might strive to attain the perfect body image and consider these goals as realistic. The result can be the development of an eating disorder.
For this Discussion, select an advertisement about body image, weight, food, an so forth, in today’s media. Think about your reactions to the advertisement. What did you think and feel about the advertisement? Consider how it might promote negative feelings about body image for a child or adolescent.
With these thoughts in mind:
By Day 3
Post the URL to an online advertisement or attach a scan/photocopy of the print advertisement to the discussion thread. Then, post a brief description of the advertisement you selected. Explain how this advertisement made you feel and explain why. Finally, explain one way this advertisement might affect a child or adolescent and how. Be specific.
Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the week’s resources.
Required Readings
As you review this article, focus on parental influence and its effects on children and adolescent body image.
As you review this article, focus on the differences between boys’ and girls’ ideas of body image.
As you review this article, focus on how poor body image might have serious impacts on children and adolescents.
Document: DSM-5 Bridge Document: Eating Disorders and Body Image (PDF)
Use this document to guide your understanding of eating disorders and body image for this week’s Discussion and Assignment.
As you review this article, consider how CBT might support eating disorders in youth. Focus on how you might use these interventions in your professional practice.
As you review this article, focus on the eating disorders of children and adolescents and how this information might inform your practice.
As you review this article, focus on the therapeutic approaches used to treat children and adolescents with eating disorders.
Raich, R. M., Portell, M., & Pelaez-Fernandez, M. A. (2010). Evaluation of a school-based programme of universal eating disorders prevention: Is it more effective in girls at risk? European Eating Disorders Review, 18(1), 49–57.
As you review this article, focus on the preventive approach to eating disorders.
