Statistics on How Beauty Affects Women

Many women are overly concerned with beauty and the perfect body as they try to live up to the image of women they see in magazines, television shows, movies and music videos, according to the YWCA. Some women resort to dangerous, unhealthy tactics like binging and purging or vigorous exercise as weight-control methods. Unfortunately, many women are unaware that the photos they see in magazines and the like are doctored, or airbrushed, to create the desired image.

Increase in Cosmetic Surgery

• Many women are going under the knife to achieve a desired look.

  According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), in 2006, plastic surgeries performed went up 7 percent from 2005, with approximately 11 million cosmetic surgeries performed. Non-invasive procedures like Botox and chemical peels went up 8 percent in 2006.

Dissatisfaction with Body Image

• Low self-esteem can happen after a woman sees what she deems a "perfect" body.

  A poll by "Teen People" magazine showed that women who see pictures of beautiful women in fashion magazines, on television and in movies express dissatisfaction with their self-image. And being exposed to these images after being dissatisfied only reinforces the feelings. Out of these women, 34 percent said they would try diets that pose health risks, 34 percent said they would get cosmetic surgery and 93 percent acknowledged they have tried to lose weight to look like these airbrushed women.

Eating Disorders

• College women are increasingly using unhealthy methods to lose weight.

  In Canada, approximately 450,000 women have some sort of eating disorder. According to Anorexia Nervosa & Related Eating Disorders Inc., one in four college women use weight-control methods deemed unhealthy, including --- but not limited to --- fasting, meal skipping, too much exercise, self-induced vomiting and laxative use.