Teenagers and body image

By now it should be obvious that the 'ideal' body images we see in the media are largely unrealistic.

Yet, they still get promoted.

Teenagers are exposed to these photoshopped models and assume that it is normal and something to aspire to.

I myself have seen male ideologies and have wanted to be on that level of immense physique, despite knowing that it's all fake.

Teenage self-esteem can be a fragile thing, and these hyperrealistic images are damaging to our minds and can lead to anorexia, bulimia, overworking, among other health issues.

According to anad.org, every 62 minutes someone dies due to an eating disorder.

Shows such as 'Love Island' do not help - another example of this toxicity is Instagram models.

I believe that the way to avoid this is teaching people that every shape is acceptable - not just these ridiculous and hyperbolic images.

People in Honiton are no stranger to these images, and I hope for a future where all people are truly accepted for how they look, who they are, and what they do for fun.