Food and body ideas

I feel as though some men have become more focused on their body image, and this is perhaps a modern development, media playing a role and accentuated the gym culture. Some men are now more then ever striving to be fit, assuming this is the road to desirability and attractiveness. It has prompted, in some ways a healthy outlook on life, but in others, an obsession that takes over. The gym culture has lead way to the thinking that, you have to have muscles and build to be a ‘mans man’, being slim and having a bit of meat on you, presents a child like aspect. Muscles means being a man, being an adult. This in turn can lead to other factors, like strict dieting. Traditional body image wasn't a main priority, it was often seen as the bigger you are, the better, more wealthy. As mentioned in the segment ‘absence of food’, being skinny was a give away of your status and class, no wealthy man was skinny, having meat on you was a sign of wealth and some believed fer...

    It seems when growing up the message of body and eating is first demonstrated in children's texts, whether that be in rhyme, songs, literature or films. Each piece would hold its own message and attempt to represent it in a child friendly way. Emotions would typically be the most effective way for a child to understand. However, these messages seem much more evident in retrospect.    Charlie And The Chocolate Factory    "Augustus Gloop! Augustus Gloop!   The great big greedy nincompoop!   How long could we allow this beast   To gorge and guzzle, feed and feast   On everything he wanted to?   Great Scott! It simply wouldn't do!"(17.64)     Augustus Gloop is the iconic symbol of greed and gluttony within children's literature. He is demonstrated in both the book and the films as, an overweight, unkempt, messy child, who's only solace is food. His interaction with th...