There is no paucity of resources on weight loss and its related issues available for those who are interested. It is a vastly researched concept which most people relate to on a daily basis. What has always been intriguing, however is the connect between perceptions of ideal body type and popular culture. Popular culture which has permeated to every household over the years makes its own definitions of 'acceptable'. This plays havoc with many people's self-image. And hence it has a direct correlation with weight loss and distorted versions of self-identity.
Actors on television and films have set the tone for aspirational body types. Women try hard to lose weight and stay thin so that they feel accepted in their peer group and men beef up to make sure they are not tagged as weaklings. Where does this pressure to adhere to certain ideal type emanate from? One part of it is premised on the fact that "thin is beautiful". Is that really true? Mainstream cinema has always portrayed its protagonists in stereotypes which go on to define our identities.
People forget that actors are merely acting out their parts on screen and depicting a version of reality which the director wishes to show. Music videos and television serials too pick up the cue and repeat the same stereotypes as seen in cinema. An unsaid norm of acceptance to being thin versus being overweight has evolved over time. Popular culture plays a major role in this evolution. Weight loss is therefore engrained in our heads - "what will my friends think of me, how will I get a new boyfriend, will my sex life suffer, I need a waist like hers! These are just some of the popular triggers that affect weight loss.
With the advent of globalization and exposure to a multitude of products and services hitherto unknown or inaccessible to people, suddenly it seemed as if the world had contracted. The IT boom of the 90s made information exchange faster than ever and the advent of Google changed the way we lead our lives. All this is of relevance when we address the issue of ideal body type, the perception of being thin in the case of women and muscular in the case of men.
Now, as we begin to open up about ourselves, through mediums that were not available earlier and the fact that people now have global access, perceptions of body type are beginning to erode. Popular culture, which is mostly a mirror of our existing socio-cultural ethos, is also more acceptable of weight. Movies like Bridget Jone's Diary and popular soaps like Ugly Betty and a slew of other such media suddenly mainstreamed the common person - the one who does not have six pack abs, toned curves or a beautiful spotless face. There is definitely a new tolerance for people who are not thin. Weight loss is not on the minds of everyone. A large number of us accept who we are and are comfortable about it.
Popular culture and weight have very deep rooted underpinnings. It is worth noting that this is not a sea change and it is definitely not drastic. There are people on both sides of the fence who may debate the changing nature of popular culture and the perception of weight within it. However, one thing is for sure. There is a change. And society has generally become more accepting of all body types. Thin after all, may not be in forever!
