Blog 9: What influence the media has on our bodies

Like it or not the media has a big influence on the way women perceive their bodies. We all notice the way that almost every add on T.V. seems to portray women in a glamorous, but unrealistic manner. I say unrealistic because the women presented in most ads are not portrayed in the image of the average woman. Most of the ads represent women who are size two and under. It is unrealistic for every woman to be viewed as being extremely thin. These types of images tend to make most women and young girls insecure about their bodies. These days getting plastic surgery is like getting a tattoo. So many of us see these unattainable bodies in the media and we think that we have to duplicate them in order to be considered beautiful. Beauty comes in all different shapes and sizes, but it would never be evident if we continue to let the media set the standard for what beauty is. Health educators are presented with the challenges of influencing individual lifestyles through education on a daily basis. They must start by building self esteem programs within the community. Health educators can also advocate against adds that have been technologically altered to portray false images of women. Young girls are affected the most because they do not understand the extend to which these images are changed before being displayed. Women must be taught at early ages to love themselves and to embrace their bodies in order to change the way they perceive themselves in the media.
Although for years the media has negatively influenced women perceptions of their bodies, they have recently made some attempts to change. For example, Tyra Banks has attempted to change the face of beauty by providing opportunities for women of different shapes, sizes and color on her show "America's Next Top Model". Full figured models are more accepted today than they were years ago. I believe the key to changing the standard view of what beauty is, lies in seeing diverse portrayals of it on a regular basis.
Martinetta Victorian 

Blog 8: Societal images of menopause, aging and older women

For many years, our society has viewed the aging process as a negative marker in a female's life. To some, it is seen as the end of a female's youth and beauty all together. Menopause or " the change" is the part of aging that brings forth these disturbing thoughts. According to Alexander, LaRosa, Bader, Garfield & Alexander (2010),in the United States, menopause is a difficult experience for women. Physical and emotional changes have made it hard for women to embrace the experience with open arms. I must admit, previously, when thinking about a menopausal woman, I would imagine a female who was depressed and agitated all the time. These thoughts were mostly due to images portrayed in the media.
In recent years there has been a change in the way the media portrays this process. I have viewed several ads which celebrate the aging process. Many of those ads use celebrities to relate to the public. HRT ads use celebrity spokeswomen who have reached menopausal age to relate to everyday women in society. I believe that this marketing tactic has been beneficial in changing the way society as a whole view this topic. After all, menopause is a natural experience and like child birth it should be welcomed. The key is to provide resources for women to deal with the changes at various levels. Menopause is not the end of a female's life. It is simply one experience within the aging process. There are so many other positive experiences that can be associated with age such as, family,love, strength and wisdom to name a few. I hope that one day our society can move pass the changes in appearance and focus on other positive aspects of aging.
References:
Alexander, L., LaRosa, J., Bader, H., Garfield, S., & Alexander, W. (2010). New dimensions in women's   health (5th ed.). Sunbury, MA.: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.

Blog 7: Advice to a friend suspecting an STD

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are a major health concern in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (2008), there are approximately 19 million new cases each year. This trend is affecting women at higher rates than men (CDC, 2008). I believe the first step in reducing the spread of STDs is encouraging testing. If I were approached by a friend or relative who suspected she had a sexually transmitted disease, without hesitation I would immediately advise the individual to get tested. I would be careful not to pass judgement, because obviously, if this person came to me with her problem, she feels a sense of trust amongst the relationship. I would do my best to persuade her to make the rational decision of getting tested and treatment immediately.  It is important for all women who are sexually active to be tested for STDs routinely and even more so when they are having symptoms. I would inform my friend of the risk involved in not being tested, such as, she may spread the disease to other partners, she may not be able to conceive in the future or it may cause cancer if left untreated (Avert, n.d.). Approximately 24,000 women in the U.S. become infertile due to undiagnosed and untreated STDs (CDC,2008). 

Embarrassment can me a major contributor to the decision not to be tested for an STD. If my friend's fear was related to embarassment, I would advise her that everything she discusses with her healthcare provider is confidential and that the provider deals with these health issues all the time. STDs are never a welcomed experience, but it is important to get the proper treatment as soon as possible for best results. The fear of the unknown is natural, but it is better to know than not for a number of reasons. The following link would be helpful for those without a primary care provider, looking for a free local testing center http://yourstdhelp.com/free_clinic_locator.html

References:

Avert. (n.d.). Teens & sexually transmitted diseases. Retrieved on October 13, 2010 from http://www.avert.org/teens-diseases.htm 

Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. (2008). Sexually transmitted diseases. Data & statistics. Retrieved on October 13, 2010 from http://www.cdc.gov/std/stats08/trends.htm

Blog 6: Top 10 questions during pregnancy

Pregnancy is an exciting and anxious experience for any newly expecting mother to be. There are many questions that arise about what to expect over the course of the pregnancy. Physical and emotional changes are especially concerning for mothers to be. The following questions are a list of concerns new mothers may pose during the course of a pregnancy.
1. How much weight will I gain?
Weight gain during pregnancy depends on a number of factors including how much you weighed before becoming pregnant. Usually the amount of recommended weight gain for females with a normal pre pregnancy weight is between 25-35 pounds, 28-40 pounds for women underweight and 15-25 pounds for overweight women (Mayo Clinic, 2010).
2. Can I excercise during pregnancy?
Yes, the right type of excercise is encouraged during pregnancy. Yoga, swimming and walking are recommended. High impact excercise such as, jogging, lifting, sit ups, etc. should be avoided during pregnancy (Kids Health, 2010).
3. Can I work during pregnancy?
Yes, it is ok to work during pregnancy as long as you feel capable. Pregnancy may causes challenges in the work environment. It is important to keep safety in mind when performing work related duties (Mayo Clinic, 2010).
4. Can I drink coffee during pregnancy?
It is important to speak with your healthcare provider about this concern since it is unclear of how much caffeine is in one cup of coffee. Usually one cup of coffee a day is ok but caffeine levels vary depending on the company producing the product. Research has shown that excess caffeine can contribute to complications ion pregnancy, including miscarriages (Kids Health, 2010).
5. Are prenatal vitamins necessary during pregnancy?
Yes because they provide supportive nutrients our bodies need to maintain health during pregnancy which we may not consume in our daily diet (Mayo Clinic, 2010).
6. Is sex safe during pregnancy?
Yes, as long as there is no indication of complications during the pregnancy and as long as there is a desire to have sex it is fine. It may become uncomfortable in the later stages of pregnancy (Mayo Clinic, 2010).
7. Is it ok to wear heels during pregnancy?
Yes, as long as you remain comfortable.  Generally heels are ok if worn early in the pregnancy but since our center of gravity changes as pregnancy progressess we may not be able to balance ourselves properly in heels. It is better to be safe but it depends on the individual (Lynch as cited by Baby Center, 2010)
8. Are hot baths safe during pregnancy?
It is ok to take a hot bath during pregnancy, however the water temperature should not exceed the normal body temperature, if it does it can cause the body temperature to increase and cause the baby's oxygen supply to decrease (Guise as cited by  Baby Center, 2010).
9. Is it safe to sleep on my stomach during pregnancy?
Sleeping on the stomach is fine in the early stages of pregnancy because the uterus is still protected by the pubic bone. However, as the pregnancy progresses it will become uncomfortable, not to mention it may compress the vessels leading to the baby's oxygen supply (Lynch as cited by Baby Center, 2010).
10. Is it safe to take tylenol for headaches during pregnancy?
Yes, tylenol is safe as long as you do not exceed the recommended doseage. Excessive amounts can cause liver damage and also birth defects to your baby (Ruggiero, as cited by Baby Center, 2010).

References:
Baby Center. (2010). Pregnancy. Is it safe? Retrieved on October 7, 2010 from http://www.babycenter.com/is-it-safe

Kids Health. (2010). Questions & answers. Pregnancy & infants. Retrieved on October 7, 2010 from http://kidshealth.org/parent/question/

Mayo Clinic. (2010). Pregnancy week by week. Healthy pregnancy. Retrieved on October 7, 2010 from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pregnancy-weight-gain/PR00111

Blog 5/ Thoughts about having children

When I was a young girl, I can remember wanting to grow up and be just like my mom. For most of my childhood my mother was a single mom who made caring for her seven children her number one priority. She made sure we had everything we needed and that we worried about nothing. Although my mom was and is the best mom ever, there was always a part of me that wished my dad could have resided in the household with us. I believe that if and when two people decide to have kids both parents should be prepared to raise those kids together. Notice I stated "when two people decide to have kids", because it takes two people to produce a child. I have always believed that bringing a new life into the world should be a planned effort. A child may not always have the best, but they should always have the right to be raised by two loving parents.  Maybe it's just me, but I still believe in tradition; meeting someone, falling in love, getting married and then starting a family. I do understand that we do not live in a perfect world and things happen. However, people (both men and women) need to be held accountable for their actions and realize that life is a serious matter and once a new one is brought into the world it deserves to be loved and cared for by both parents responsibly.   
Martinetta Victorian