Links
to other websites
The Creation
of Awareness This site has been created with the sole intention
of generating awareness of the harm that is caused by appearance-related
prejudgements. Through the internalisation of increasingly manipulative
advertising imagery, a tendency has arisen for us to accept the
representations of gender that we witness in the media as being
realistically viable for all members of society to comply with.
Subsequently, we have been conditioned to make judgements of both
ourselves and others in analysing bodily characteristics which
consumer culture dictates to us as being "socially acceptable."
"Seeing Beyond the Boundaries" accentuates some of the
most damaging implications of placing such a high value upon the
physical appearance of human beings alone, and provides spectators
with an incentive to transform attitudes towards appearance-related
stereotyping. With information on BDD http://www.envf.port.ac.uk/illustration/ip/2002/sarahm/
http://www.maggezienworden.be
Flemish
Minister of Welfare, Health and Equal Opportunities, Mieke Vogels
launched her campaign 'I am as I am and I am a good looker"
on 22nd May. This general public campaign is meant to put the
current beauty ideal into perspective. On 22nd May, ads appeared
in papers and magazines. The campaign poster, with on its back
information about the objective of the campaign, can be ordered
through the Flemish info line. (0800/30201)
http://home-1.tiscali.nl/~cretien/pub/gezicht.htm
The attractiveness of average faces, Crétien van Campen.
One would think a beautiful face to be rather rare. Compared to
ordinary looking people, beautiful people are thin on the ground.
One would suppose that there are many levels in attractiveness,
with on the one side the unearthly beautiful people and on the
other the extremely ugly, and in the middle the overwhelming majority
of normal and average looking people. The opposite seems to be
true.Not only psychological studies, but also artistic studies,
have 
pointed out that
average faces are considered to be the most attractive, however
a face that is 'too average' loses its beauty
http://www.zorra.be
ZORRA (Dutch acronym
for (Z) See, (O) Trace, and (R) Respond to (R) Role patterns in
(A) Advertising and other media products in Flanders (Belgium))
Help ZORRA to warn the advertising world against using the slim
to super slim body in advertising unnecessarily. ZORRA collects
signatures and hands them to the JEP (Jury for Ethical Practices
concerning advertising in Belgium), together with the ads received.
You can find the results of the petition with examples of advertisements
at:http://143.169.1.181/zorradiscussie/Actie/Results/RES_Slankheid02.htm
http://www.groteschoonheid.nl/contact/contacthtml/actiegrotematen.html
Join our campaign: we want big
models for big sizes! Look at these pictures. They are taken from
the Wehkamp and Neckermann catalogues. The clothing modelled is
especially targeted at women with big sizes. What can you see?
The models themselves do not have big sizes! Grote Schoonheid
says it cannot be like that. That is why we have started a campaign:
Big models for big sizes. We want to convince the clothing industry
that clothing for "big"women has to be shown on "big"
models. We want to to hand over a petition to Wehkamp and Neckermann
signed by over 5,000 respondents and therefore, we need your signature
too. Surf to our site, fill in the campaign form and send your
virtual signature to "Grote Schoonheid". Join us! For
women over size 42, it is often difficult to buy nice clothes.
Often the clothing offered is old-fashioned or baggy. The clothing
industry does not seem to believe that also big women can and
want to look good.
Adbusters en MediaWatchers http://www.about-face.org/
About Face is a website about the image of women in advertising,
with great emphasis on the ever slimmer models. Using research
data, our site shows that women are left with a negative self-image
from super slim models.
http://www.eetstoornis.be
'Eetstoornis.be' is a Belgian website about eating disorders,
such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating and orthorexia.
'Eetstoornis.be' is also a centre for prevention and ambulant
psychotherapeutic treatment of eating disorders, which was established
by An Vandeputte.
http://www.mindonthemedia.org/
The Turn Beauty Inside Out Campaign, is an ongoing public education
effort started by New Moon® Magazine and now coordinated by
Mind on the Media. This is a collaborative effort to foster participation,
discussion and awareness of girls’ images in the media. For
2003 we are focusing on images and portrayals of girls and women
in advertising. Your support is integral to making this project
a success at local, national and international levels.
http://www.rondinet.com
A fairly new site, originally in
French, but now also available in English and Dutch for and about
obese people. Welcome to rondinet! The Belgian site for fat people,
maybe, a little bit, up to your ears or not at all…
http://www.allegrofortissimo.com/
French site about accepting
being fat .
http://www.kjt.org/jongeren/uiterlijk/index.html
All those ideas about what is beautiful
or ugly do not always make things easier. It is often difficult
to talk about this topic, or you're just afraid to. The Kinder-
en 
Jongerentelefoon
(child and youth helpline) offers a listening ear.
http://www.spiegeltjespiegeltje.nl/
This is one of those sites of which you immediately think: where
did they get that idea. You can put your own picture on the net
and have others vote about how attractive/ugly/hot…you are.
No further comment… see for yourself. And if you cannot get
enough of this kind of "attractiveness tests", try these
(on your own responsibility…): http://www.lekkerofniet.nl/ or http://www.knappejongens.nl/
or http://www.benikknap.nl/
or http://www.uglypeople.nl
or http://www.liefde.nl/beniksexyofniet.htm
or http://www.votemesexy.com/
or http://www.amihotornot.nl
http://www.inevenwicht.com/eetstoornissen.htm About eating disorders, anorexia nervosa
…binge eating disorder…
http://www.ouders.nl/mgez2002-dik1.htm In America, people have been familiar
with the problem for quite some time, but also in the Netherlands,
obesity, or just 'fatness' in plain English, is growing to an
alarming extent. Parents Online points out an alarming trend,
and gives tips to solve the problem. This mini file contains two
articles: Campaign for chubby children (tips and analysis); Work
book for chubby children (book review).
http://www.psych.nmsu.edu/~vic/faceprints/ When you go to this site, ideal faces
pop up. Right away, you will find yourself in an experimental
program to check what perfect men's/women's faces look like. The
faces have been put together by internet users. You can also participate
in the experiment, and afterwards, you can see the preliminary
results. (for further information also see news reports "face
prints")
http://www.zelfbepaling.nl/ Who am I? Am I happy? Am I satisfied
with what I have and what I am? What do I want to achieve? What
do others think of me? Am I doing what I really want to do? These
are questions everybody asks once in a while. In a large-scale
research by the faculty of psychology of the University of Nijmegen,
you can find a survey about how people think about themselves,
their lives and their relationships with others. About what makes
them happy, what their goals are, how they feel, when they (do
not) reach these goals. In brief, the fundamental question is:
what moves people? As from 15th December 2002 on, you can participate
in the research. We would love to see you again at this site from
that date!
http://www.uni-saarland.de/fak5/ronald/ German website which examines physical
attractiveness and the possibility to participate
online in scientific experiments
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/05/08/earlyshow/contributors/tracysmith/main552982.shtml
If you think teenagers are overly concerned with their appearance,
CBS News correspondent Tracy Smith says you're probably right.
But now some young girls are working to change that. New Moon,
a teen magazine with no diet tips, no ads for the latest jeans
and no dating advice, is run by young women age 8 to 14. And it
is read by about 30,000 girls worldwide. One of the things the
magazine does annually is sponsor a beauty contest that has nothing
to do with looks. "I'm beautiful because I'm smart and funny,"
says Olivia. "I'm beautiful because my mind is unique,"
declares Drew. "I think I'm beautiful because I love my family,"
explains Sunny. The girls are hoping to start a new beauty trend
that's not about what's "in" or "out," but
what's inside. More role models than supermodels, the girls are
featured in the "25 Beautiful Girls" issue of New Moon
magazine.
http://www.bodypositive.com/ BodyPositive looks at ways we can feel
good in the bodies we have. Remember, your body hears everything
you think. How to Make the Argument for Size Acceptance. What
do you say when everyone around you is dieting?200 Ways to Love
the Body You Have Read our selection from Marcia Hutchinson's
wonderful book:
If you fail to love your body, what will you miss out on?
http://www.thebodypositive.org/ Our mission is to empower people of
all ages to celebrate their natural size and shape instead of
what society promotes as the ideal body.
http://www.hify.com Welcome to Health Initiatives for Youth . You
have the right to ask difficult questions and expect real answers.
You have the right to have good friends, get a great education,
feel safe and be healthy. You have the right to expect the most
from your friends, teachers, doctors, coaches, counselors and
parents! Health Initiatives for Youth (HIFY) has one mission -
to improve the health and well being of young people. HIFY believes
youth are their own best advocates. HIFY believe that youth and
adults in partnership create opportunity and community. HIFY believes
that communities must work together to change the system and improve
lives. Come on in! If you're a youth, ask us questions and read
our zines…if you're a parent, teacher or provider of youth
services, check out our providers guides, training opportunities
and community actions. Learn more about us and create ways to
make an even greater difference in the lives of the young people
with whom you live and work.
http://www.cswd.org/ A not-for-profit advocacy organization working
to end discrimination against people who are heavier than average.
http://www.size-acceptance.org/ The MISSION of the International Size
Acceptance Association (ISAA) is to promote SIZE ACCEPTANCE and
fight SIZE DISCRIMINATION throughout the world by means of advocacy
and visible, lawful actions.
ISAA's primary purpose is to end the most common form of size
discrimination and bigotry--that against fat children and adults;
ISAA will strive to defend the human rights of members affected
by other forms of size discrimination as well. ISAA defines SIZE
DISCRIMINATION as any action which places people at a disadvantage
simply because of their size. ISAA defines SIZE ACCEPTANCE as
acceptance of self and others without regard to weight or body
size.
http://www.eskimo.com/~largesse/ Largesse, the Network for Size Esteem
is an international clearinghouse for information on size diversity
empowerment. Our mission is to create personal awareness and social
change which promotes a positive image, health and equal rights
for people of size. Since 1986 we have been helping to link individuals,
groups, businesses and professionals in the size rights community
with information, support and each other.
http://naafa.org/
Founded in 1969, the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance
is a non-profit human rights organization dedicated to improving
the quality of life for fat people. NAAFA works to eliminate discrimination
based on body size and provide fat people with the tools for self-empowerment
through public education, advocacy, and member support. WHAT DOES
NAAFA DO? The purpose of NAAFA is to: Work towards providing equal
opportunity for fat people wherever obstacles and/or discrimination
exist.
Disseminate information about the sociological, psychological,
legal, medical, and physiological aspects of being fat. Advocate
and sponsor responsible research about the various aspects of
being fat. Empower the large number of people regarded by the
medical profession as "obese" to accept themselves,
to live more fulfilling lives, and to promote acceptance of fat
people within society. Serve as a forum where issues affecting
fat people can be discussed in an unbiased setting
http://www.internationalnodietday.com/ Body Image and Health Inc. is a not-for-profit,
health promotion organisation which works for social change -
with the fitness, fashion, media and advertising industries, health
and education professionals, government and the research community
- so that people of all shapes and sizes can feel good about,
and care for their bodies and themselves.In the early 1990’s,
a group of health professionals became concerned at the high levels
of unhealthy dieting among women, and the pressure on women and
girls to conform to a very thin body ideal. They established Body
Image and Health Inc and introduced International No Diet Day
(May 6) to Australia, to inform Australians about the dangers
of dieting and warn against the promotion of unrealistic body
ideals.
http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org Did you know? Young girls who are significantly
underweight may be at risk for weak bones. To learn more Learn
more about our Listen to Your Body print campaign
http://www.rug.nl/cis/journ/archief%202001/044cursusBDD.docx.htm Mirror, mirror on the wall... a new
course gives insight into dissatisfaction with appearance.
Insecurity, dissatisfaction with or slight concern about appearance
is a normal phenomenon which passes or becomes manageable as time
goes by. Some people are so occupied with their (often alleged)
ugliness, that their day-to-day functioning is very seriously
disrupted. These people suffer from Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD).
The department of Clinical Psychology has organised a course for
this target group, which is given in the Netherlands for the first
time.
http://www.ocdvriendenkring.org/ The OCD-friends site is meant for people
who suffer from OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), also known
as obsessional neurosis. OCD is a disorder, through which the
quality of life is considerably affected by fear, obsessional
thoughts and acts. People who suffer from this or who want to
know more about it have come to the right place. People suffering
from BDD (Body Dysmorphic Disorder) can join the OCD-friends to
exchange experiences.
http://linux.butler.org/bdd/ On this site, you can find more information
about BDD (Body Dysmorphic Disorder). Some more information: what
is Body Dysmorphic Disorder? People with body dysmorphic disorder
(BDD) worry about their appearance. They worry, for example, that
their skin is scarred, their hair is thinning, their nose is too
big, or something else is wrong with how they look. When others
tell them that they look fine or that the flaw they perceive is
minimal, people with this disorder find it hard to believe this
reassurance. People with BDD think a lot about their perceived
appearance flaw, generally for at least an hour a day. Some say
they're obsessed. Most find that they don't have as much control
over their thoughts about the body flaw as they would like. The
Body Image Program is one of the few specialty programs in the
country for body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) and similar body image
concerns. It is directed by Katharine A. Phillips, M.D., Associate
Professor of Psychiatry at Brown University School of Medicine
in Providence, Rhode Island. She works with Fedra Najjar, M.D,
Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at Butler Hospital and Assistant
Professor of Psychiatry at Brown University School of Medicine.
Dr. Phillips is internationally known for her expertise in Body
Dysmorphic Disorder
http://psychiatry.uchicago.edu/grounds/010108/slides/ Presentation of Body Dysmorphic Disorder:
Recognizing and Treating Imagined Ugliness
Katharine A. Phillips, MD, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and
Human Behavior, Brown University, Providence, RI January 8, 2001
http://www.aafp.org/afp/991015ap/1738.html In Pursuit of Perfection: A Primary
Care Physician's Guide to Body Dysmorphic Disorder JAMES R. SLAUGHTER,
M.D., and ANN M. SUN, M.D. Body dysmorphic disorder is an under-recognized
chronic problem that is defined as an excessive preoccupation
with an imagined or a minor defect of a localized facial feature
or body part, resulting in decreased social, academic and occupational
functioning. Patients who have body dysmorphic disorder are preoccupied
with an ideal body image and view themselves as ugly or misshapen.
Comorbid psychiatric disorders may also be present in these patients.
Body dysmorphic disorder is distinguished from eating disorders
such as anorexia nervosa that encompass a preoccupation with overall
body shape and weight. Psychosocial and neurochemical factors,
specifically serotonin dysfunction, are postulated etiologies.
Treatment approaches include cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy
and psychotropic medication. To relieve the symptoms of body dysmorphic
disorder, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, in higher dosages
than those typically recommended for other psychiatric disorders,
may be necessary. A trusting relationship between the patient
and the family physician may encourage compliance with medical
treatment and bridge the transition to psychiatric intervention.
(Am Fam Physician 1999;60:1738-42.)
Mirror mirror:
Body Dysmorphic Disorder (Windows Media Player Movie 4,29 min) Streaming Vdieo July 8, 2001 Reporter:
Tara Brown, Produc
er:
Kathryn Bonella. Chiara Noakes Is the media responsible for many
women's poor body image? In a world where looks and image are
everything, imagine feeling too ugly to even step out the front
door, so ugly that you wanted to kill yourself.It might sound
ridiculous, but for victims of a little known mental illness,
it's a daily reality. No-one knows what causes Body Dysmorphic
Disorder but it leaves once healthy teenagers crippled by their
imagined ugliness.It's insidious and it's potentially deadly.
In what is one of the hardest things they'll ever do, four brave
victims step forward to tell Tara Brown their story Bron : http://sixtyminutes.ninemsn.com.au/60/stories/2001_07_08/story_364.asp
http://www.bddcentral.com A comprehensive site for victims of
Body Dysmorphic Disorder. Neysa Jane, described as beautiful on
the inside and out, felt she was too ugly to beloved. On February
19th, 2000, she lost her battle with BDD at the age of 26. Now,
Kathleen Powley has created the Neysa Jane Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Fund in loving memory of her daughter. Her aims are to educate
the public and health care professionals about the disorder, as
well as support research.
http://membres.lycos.fr/klutch1/ Bonjour, J'ai créé
cette page web afin d'aider ceux qui souffrent de dysmorphophobie
et de les guider vers des sites suceptibles de leur apporter une
aide.Je souffre moi même de dysmorphophobie depuis l'âge
de 5 ans ( j'en ai maintenant 26). Cette condition difficle et
encore très peu connue du grand publique est la cause de
nombreux suicides et opérations chirurgicales inutiles
chaque année. J'espère que dans ces pages vous trouverez
une aide qui vous permettra de trouver les aides nécessaires
pour lutter et améliorer votre quotidien. Klutch
Hello, I created this website to help those who suffer from dysmorphophobia
and to guide them towards sites fit to help them. I myself have
been suffering from dysmorphophobia since the age of five (I am
26 now). This difficult situation, which is less known, is the
cause for numerous suicides and unnecessary surgical operations
every year. Hopefully, you will find the help you need to fight
this disorder and improve your triviality on this site. Klutch
http://giveboobs.com Charity has no limits. A 23 years old American
student, named Michel, asks on her own website people on the whole
world to give her the money toaugment her breasts. She needs 4500
dollar."I made this site because I have been considering
breast augmentation for many years and would like support getting
there. I do just fine with padded bras (BestForm hidden pushups,
34A), but I think augmented boobs look nice, and I think a lot
of other people do too."
Thoughts of inner beauty. http://www.magicglade.com/purplestar/innerbeauty/
The state of Minnesota will celebrate
Inner Beauty - the beauty of conviction, caring and action - on
May 21 with the third anniversary of Turn Beauty Inside Out Day.
In celebration of the day, the Turn Beauty Inside Out campaign
has teamed with the Minnesota Lynx of the WNBA for a fun and unique
fundraiser. http://www.newmoon.org/events/tbio_lynx.htm
