Love Your Body Day
Wednesday, September 22, 1999

Tobacco, alcohol and fashion advertising are not only a health problem but also a political problem for women, because these industries contribute to stereotyping of women and discrimination against us.

- Patricia Ireland, from the NOW Foundation Redefining Liberation video

Facts

Over 2,000 women and girls begin smoking each day.  Approximately 1 of 5 teenage girls is now a smoker (1995 CDC study)

Between 1960 and 1990, deaths from lung cancer among women have increased by more than 400% -- exceeding breast cancer deaths in the mid-1980's. (CDC)

In 1994, the tobacco industry spent $4.83 billion on advertising and promotion. (CDC)  Magazines that accept tobacco ads are 38% less likely to run articles on tobacco-related illness. (CA Dept Health Svcs)

Over 80% of 4th grade girls are dieting.

The body type portrayed in advertising as the ideal is possessed naturally by only 5% of females in this country.

The average weight of a model is 23% lower than that of an average woman; 20 years ago, the differential was only 8%.  (CA Dept Health Svcs)

What Part of Your Body Do You Love?

Having trouble choosing? Advertisers, Hollywood, the cosmetic, fashion & diet industries all work hard to make us believe that no part of our bodies are acceptable. We're dismembered. We've become a pair of legs, lips, breasts -- all of which need fixing at any cost. What's the result of all this? By the time girls reach the fourth grade, 80% of them have began dieting. Isn't it time to fight back? After all, we're the ones buying the billions of dollars of cosmetics, diet products, and fashion that is sold every year. They can't sell these images without our help. Get active!

What Can You Do on Love Your Body Day?

JOIN THE NATIONAL SURVEY ON BODY IMAGE. Let us know which ad or image or character (TV or movie) that most represents an oppressive beauty standard.  We’d also love to know what you love -- which ads or images are the most positive for women and girls?  You can participate in the survey by: phone: 202-331-0066, (ask for the survey hotline) fax: 202-785-8576 or via the World Wide Web at http://www.nowfoundation.org

BE AN ACTIVIST CONSUMER! Make sure that magazine editors, television producers, and others know what you think about the images they are choosing.

COMMIT TO A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE. Help others gain the resources to live a healthy lifestyle.

Love Your Body Day is sponsored by the NOW Foundation. This information was taken from the Love Your Body Day web site that can be viewed at http://www.nowfoundation.org