Representation

 I want to challenge the common sterotype that a person's health is judged based off their appearance. Fat people are considered unhealthy while thin people are considered healthy.  Health has more to do than just what you look like. I would like for my project to show that there are people of various body weights that are considered healthy.

My first example is from a new Netflix show called Insatiable. In the show, the lead character who was once bullied because she was overweight plans to exact her revenge on all those who made fun of her.  I thought this show was interesting because it showed how the main character was treated differently when she lost wweight.  That says a lot about how society views healthy versus unhealthy people.  It's sad that many movies and TV shows depict thinner people as being better than those who are curvier.  Just because people are thin doesn't necessarily mean that they are healthy.

My second exmple is from the British drama series called Skins. In the show, the two main characters on Skins have suffered from anorexia.  This example is a great depiction of how thinner people are not necessarily healthy.  No one suspects anything is wrong with the main chacrter because she is thin.  But she slowly begins to reveal that she does not eat and struggles with her strggling self esteem.  I like that there is representation from both sides of the issue.  Society does shame people for being fatter and they are looked down upon while thinner people are not thought of as being unhealthy.  It is apparent in this example that health has to do with more than just the superficial.  This main chacter has mental health issues more than body weight issues, yet there are very few media examples taht deal with the topic of mental health.  It is not fair to say that someone is healthy based off just their looks.  There is more to someone's health than what meets the eye.

It took me a very long time to understand that the stereotype portrayed is not completly true.  It is misleading many kids, teenagers and young adults into thinking that they need to be thinner in order to be considered healthy.  In my magazine, I want to tackle this subject and address the fact that what we see in the media isn't always true.  I want my magazine to talk about what healthy habits are and how a person can judge for themselves if they are healthy or not.