Blog 3 - Option 6

6. What role does the media play in how we feel about our bodies? How can health educators help to prepare effective messages that counter some of the negative images and ideas generated in the media? Do you think that the media is embracing more diversity in body shape, size and color than what was "acceptable" years ago?

It is my opinion that the media is a chief influence on how one feels about their body. Pop Culture persuades society on how to look, and act. Media is everywhere, one cannot escape it. The media is like a vulture, in that, it preys on people’s weaknesses. Most of the actors on television are thin, and are in good physical shape, an image that most of us aspire to but is often not realistic. There is also the fact that celebrities can afford personal cooks and trainers, to help keep their bodies in prime shape. They can also afford cosmetic surgeries to hide their imperfections. Here is a YouTube video that reveals real people’s thoughts on body image. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQLqC_hTT4I

Health educators must show that companies such as Dove are proving that you don’t have to be misled by other companies when it comes to physical appearances. Even Levi’s has created a line of jeans for “curvier” and plus size women (Levi’s Curve ID). Educators must without a doubt be able to prove to young minds that they can’t believe everything one hears and sees in the media. I think it will help if more celebrities stand up and state that they want to be seen as being normal in their appearances. An example of this would be actors who don’t want their photos photo shopped or models who are normal sized. If the young believed they were beautiful than the media would not be able to influence them as much. This YouTube video by Kellie Pickler helps explain my point, that young women should know that they are all beautiful.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxNuslIWHIc

Melissa McCarthy

I believe there is more diversity in body shape, size and color, but there is still a long way to go. The media is beginning to embrace different body shapes, and sizes by using plus size models in their advertising. They are using more people from different ethnicities. What has also changed is that years ago there was modesty; the modesty level would be totally unacceptable by yesterday’s standards. Yesterday’s models were typically white, slim, and fully clothed. Today’s models come from diverse races and while still slim are beginning to, venture out into a more realistic size.

Jackie Chan

Queen Latifah



Blog 2

Interview a woman on her decision to have children or be “childless” (may be temporary). 

I interviewed Sue who is a 53 year old mother of four. She stated that she had always wanted to have children, even as a young girl. Sue had siblings growing up and has always been around “little ones.” She told me that she always had maternal feelings. I asked her if her religion had any influence over her decision to have children, since she is very devoted to her religion.  She said that it didn’t influence her one way or the other. Sue said that her and her husband planned for their first child. The other three were surprises but they wanted more children so that was great for them. She did say that since she was so eager to have children she did have trouble conceiving the first time. It took her two years after their decision to start having children to get pregnant.

Sue is a woman who never had any doubts about wanting to be a mother. Granted she was raised in a generation where having children was something you were supposed to do. But none the less she loves being a mother and a grandmother. You can see it in her face when you speak to her because she lights up when speaking of her children and grandchild. Sue is truly a woman who loved having and raising children.

I think this YouTube video suits this topic.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QN6p66AtDc

Lucille K.

What health issues you are most concerned about? Why?

I interviewed three women of different ages and ethnicities. Their names have been changed in order to provide anonymity. The first woman Jamie is 46 years old and Caucasian. She stated that she had three health concerns, Lupus, diabetes, and bi-polar disorder. Her concern with lupus is because she has it and is worried that the Lupus will spread to her organs. With lupus she is also concerned that since she has tried and/or used most of the drugs on the market to treat the disease, that she will come to the point when there will not be any drugs left to treat her disease. Jamie is also worried that she may be diagnosed with diabetes because it runs in her family and because she is overweight. She also fears her bi-polar disorder will become out of control due to her medication not working any longer. Or as she stated “I am afraid of losing my mind.”

The second woman is Yesenia, she is a 52 years old Hispanic. Her biggest concern or fear is being diagnosed with diabetes. She believes that having diabetes leads to being prone to having other illnesses. Issues concerning her with being diabetic are, constantly having to watch what you eat and Yesenia also fears going blind due to diabetes. What was interesting to find out was that she is going through the second stage of treatments for breast cancer and that was not her main concern.

The last subject is Sophia a 54 year old Italian woman. Sophia has health concerns about heart disease because it runs in her family. She has rheumatoid arthritis but states that this illness is under control so she is not worried about it. Sophia is undergoing chemo treatments for her rheumatoid arthritis. Her main concern is that because she takes so many medications, and in particular anti-inflammatory and pain medication that this masks any heart disease symptoms. Sophia feels that heart disease is a difficult condition to control unlike hers.

I am concerned like many people about the diseases that run in my family but feel that through preventative measures they can be prevented. It is my strong belief that through proper diet, exercise, and medical health checkups most illness can be prevented even though they run in your family. Leading a healthy lifestyle can have its advantages especially for those people that are diagnosed with any disease in its early stages.

HS3133.51

Hello my name is Lucille. My goal is to receive a Bachelor’s degree in General Studies. My concentration areas are in Women’s Studies, Sociology, and Business. I am very interested in computers as well, and hope to find a career in the technology industry when I graduate. Hopefully, with the computer degree I already have and a bachelor’s degree, I will be able to accomplish this feat.

I enjoy researching genealogy; it can be very time consuming and monotonous, but well worth the effort when you find the information you are seeking. I am interested in knowing how the different stages in one’s life correlates to their health. My expectations from this class are to become better informed about health issues. I am a big computer geek, and just built this computer I am using. That may not sound all that unique, but I am an older student and the internet was not around when I was growing up.