DARKE COUNTY – Body image is something everyone has to deal with, some more than others. Many women in the U.S. feel as if they need to measure up to society’s ideals of what is beautiful, constantly bombarded with “Barbie doll-like” images, said WomensHealth.gov.

According to WomensHealth.org, these images, along with family and friends, and even strangers, can lead to poor body image if a woman feels she doesn’t fit into the “ideal body image.” According to the National Eating Disorders Association, the average American woman is 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 140 pounds. The average American model is 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs 117 pounds.

“All too often, society associates being ‘thin,’ with ‘hard-working, beautiful, strong and self-disciplined.’ On the other hand, being ‘fat’ is associated with being ‘lazy, ugly, weak and lacking will-power.’ Because of these harsh critiques, rarely are women completely satisfied with their image,” stated WomensHealth.gov.

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