Exposed: Women in Advertising

Statistics

·         A New York Times survey (“Where is,” 1999) reported that children ages 8–18 years watched 22 hr.  and 52 min of television per week, which results in the average viewer being exposed to 6 hr. of television commercials weekly (Ganahl).

·         1 out of every 4 college-aged women uses unhealthy methods of weight control—including fasting, skipping meals, excessive exercise, laxative abuse, and self-induced vomiting. (Media Awareness  Network)

·         Nearly half of all preadolescent girls wish to be thinner, and as a result have engaged in a diet or are aware of the concept of dieting. (Media Awareness  Network)

·         In 2003, Teen magazine reported that 35 per cent of girls 6 to 12 years old have been on at least one diet, and that 50 to 70 per cent of normal weight girls believe they are overweight (Media Awareness  Network)

·         Studies show that as many as 70% of young females and 50% of adolescent boys desire to change their body size or shape (CBS)

·         20 years ago the average model weighed 6% less than the average women, but today models weigh 23% less. (Harbin)

·         "The internalization of the media's thin ideal produces heightened body dissatisfaction which leads to the engagement in disordered eating behavior" (Harbin)