Health Petition: Truth in Advertising for Fashion Industries ...

When our idea of beautiful is made up of airbrushed photos, size 0 mannequins? and unhealthy models, it?s not surprising that women of all ages, and especially teens, feel inferior and strive for this fake body image. Maybe we wouldn?t be so critical of ourselves if there were real women with real curves in commercials ? then we would surely realize that not everyone?is?5?10 with long?legs, a size?0 waist and huge breasts.?Until then, we can?t escape the images ? they?re everywhere ? so what can we do to change the way we think of beautiful?

Well, Natalia, a 16 year-old sophomore at the International School of Boston, has come up with a solution that could really change the way we view the models in the ads. Only a few nights ago Natalia created a petition through Change.org in the hopes of ?holding fashion industries accountable and held to the same truth in advertising laws as the commercials we see that say: do not try this at home.?

Her idea: Companies that digitally alter photographs or commercials should have to label them ?indicating that they are not accurate representations.? Similarly, there should be labels on mannequins that say ?this is not what a real, healthy woman body looks like.?

The team at BodiMojo thought this was an amazing idea and we reached out to Natalia to find out the story behind the petition?

What inspired you to create the petition?

The inspiration to start my petition came as a result of attending the Harris Center public forum, Health is Beauty. As I sat listening to the discussion I couldn?t help but feel frustrated by the lack of awareness and sensitivity to the impact that advertising has on people?s feelings of self worth and self-image. Since I am recovering from an eating disorder myself, I felt short-changed by the inaction of those who have the power to make changes in society and the media.

What is the goal of your petition?

Understanding maybe a little too well the feelings of negative body image, I did not want to watch more girls go through the same struggles I have gone through. I have always been very open about my eating disorder because I believe that no one should feel alone in their battle. Thankfully, my road to recovery has been one I did not have to take alone.

Who do you hope to influence?

I want people to know that eating disorders are a real issue and going through it alone can be extremely painful. I have seen my own anorexia battle take too many things away from my life: it?s ruined holidays, friendships and school. So?I want to use my voice for those struggling to still find theirs. I want to take control of my own life and apply it to a good cause, rather than fighting against my own body.

How have friends and people responded to your efforts?

Friends and family are constantly supporting me, which makes me want to offer the same support to others struggling against eating disorders and the pressure to be perfect. Friends and classmates tell me ?Finally! Finally, someone is not shrinking away from their problems.?

What is something unexpected yet positive that came out of this project so far?

I think my biggest surprise in starting this petition is that for the first time in months, I felt empowered for doing something for myself and not for my eating disorder. So much of my eating disorder was about numbers: calories, scale, weight, size etc. So when I first posted the link to my petition on my blog, I decided that I didn?t want the number of people signing it or not signing to affect my overall goal.?I didn?t want to make it about how many people, but to make it about self-expression and determination.

What?s next?!

I simply hope to continue fighting and not to give up. I hope to spread greater awareness during every step of the way. I hope to take care of myself and along the way, help others too. I will no longer surrender to feeling unworthy for not being smart enough or skinny enough or pretty enough and I hope that others will follow me as I embrace who I am rather than trying to fit into a certain mold.

My eating disorder likes to always have a plan, to have everything mapped out, well at this point I don?t know what?s next- we?ll see what happens.

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You can sign Natalia?s?Health Petition: Truth in Advertising for Fashion Industries?here.?

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