Anorexia Nervosa: A Media
Influenced Problem in America
Andrea M. Carlucci
ACarlucci@schools.nyc.gov
I.S. 62
Introduction:
Anorexia nervosa is an
eating disorder which affects many young people in the United States. People
who have anorexia have an intense fear of gaining weight. They severely limit
the amount of food they eat and can become dangerously thin. Anorexia affects both the body and the mind.
It can start as “just dieting”, but it gets out of control. People suffering
from anorexia think about food, dieting, and weight all the time. They have a distorted
body image and while other people say they are too thin, they look in the
mirror and see themselves as fat. Television and other media play an important
role in influencing how young people view their bodies and how they should
look. Magazines, newspapers, television, radio, as well as the Internet, are
full of images of slim and slender models, which often become the most
desirable body images. You will explore
the media’s influence on body image and explore possible solutions.
Task:
You are part of a new
music group that has just burst onto the music scene! As the newest teenage idols, you refuse to
conform to the Hollywood standards of beauty.
You are also knowledgeable of using the Public Policy Analyst to analyze
a social problem such as Anorexia. Your
task is to analyze the social problem of anorexia using the six-step PPA
model. You will use the information
acquired from that analysis to produce a public service campaign in the form of
an advertisement to get your message out to your fans and all the teenagers in
America. Your advertisement must include
a speech and a poster board presentation.
Process/Resources:
1. Choose 3-4
classmates that will make up your music group.
This is with whom you will be working on your PPA analysis and your
advertisement. (Two group members will
work on the speech, while the other two-three members will work on the poster.)
2. You will
use the steps of the PPA to analyze the problem and research solutions. Use the
worksheets to guide you through each step.
Use the resource links below
for your research.
1. Define the
problem of anorexia. Worksheet 1
2. Gather
evidence that anorexia exists in the U.S., and how big the problem is. Worksheet 2
3. Determine
the causes of anorexia. Worksheet 3
4. Evaluate
the programs that are available to deal with anorexia. Worksheet 4
5. Develop a
possible solution to try to reduce the number of people who suffer from
anorexia.
6. Choose the
best program/solution. Worksheet 6
3. From the
information above, write a 3-5 minute speech that will convince young people
that they do not have to conform to the Hollywood media idea of “beautiful”.
4. Make a
poster (use oak tag) to present with your speech that will help you to
advertise your campaign. You must include a creative slogan and pictures. Be creative!!
(supplies provided)
5. You will present the poster along with your
group’s speech in class.
Resources:
·
Eating
Disorders and the Role of the Media
·
Media's
Influence on Eating Disorders
·
Gurl.com
» Anorexia Nervosa: Just The Facts Comments Feed
·
Child
Mind Institute In the News
·
Eating
disorders: New solutions
Evaluation:
Your work will be evaluated using the following rubric:
|
65
Points |
85
Points |
100
Points |
|
|
Poster |
No
slogan. Little
or no pictures. Not
colorful or very creative. |
Slogan
and some pictures, but not eye catching. Not
very colorful. |
Excellent
and catchy slogan. Exciting,
captivating, colorful pictures and images. |
|
Speech |
Very
little data. Not
very convincing. Poor
use of grammar. |
Good
amount of data. Supports policy/solutions. Some
Grammar errors. |
Thorough
and clear. Creative,
interesting. Supports
policy well. Excellent
use of grammar. |
Conclusion:
By completing this webquest, you have gained an understanding
of what anorexia is, what the possible causes are, how the media influences
body image, and what some possible solutions are. Thanks for helping the teens
of America! To continue to research this
policy further, develop some ideas on what you can do as an individual to help
prevent anorexia nervosa from developing in young people your age.
Anorexia
Nervosa - Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment of Anorexia Nervosa - NY Times Health
Information
Standards:
NYS English Standards:
E1c: Read and comprehend informational materials.
E2a: Produce a report of information.
NYS Science Standards:
S8a: Demonstrates scientific competence by completing
secondary research.
S7b: Argues from evidence.
S7e: Communications in a form suited to the purpose and the
audience.
S5c: Uses evidence from reliable sources to develop
descriptions, explanations,
and models; and makes appropriate adjustments and
improvements.
S5f: Works
individually and in teams to collect and share information and ideas.
S3.2g: Suggest
improvements and recommendations for further studying.
