What is this American obsession with weight loss, perfect abs, loss of hair, etc., etc., ect.?

It is a whole bloody industry. Can't even go through the check out counter in the supermarket without seeing some stars cellulite or face lift photos. What's this perfection thing ?What is this American obsession with weight loss, perfect abs, loss of hair, etc., etc., ect.?
I think the underlying cause of this is actually the need for immediate gratification. We feel like we need everything NOW. By the same token, we feel like the most important parts of a person can be seen immediately.





Also, we value youth over age, as opposed to many cultures which value the wisdom that comes with age. This leads us to look down upon signs of age like wrinkles and hair loss or graying hair.





These and other factors combined with the fact that we are also a highly competitive culture culminate to create the characteristics that you described. Everyone tries to look their best because there is a mentality that looking the best makes your more valuable than another person.





It is quite interesting how we look at human life as so insignificant in some ways - yet so much more valuable in others. For example, how many laws are there in America relating to how you can treat a person? Harassment, labor laws, etc.What is this American obsession with weight loss, perfect abs, loss of hair, etc., etc., ect.?
Everybody is across the planet. I do not think Americans are alone about that. Beauty and wanting to look good has always been present in all societies since the beginning of time . From ribs being removed, dangerous powders, wigs etc to added necklaces to elongate the neck, plates inside the lips, tatoos( in some cultures).........the list is very long !





it is just that American media is touting the next fountain of youth via the media.


Americans always come up with ';miracle pills'; claiming to lose about 20 pounds within a week without any effort. And this and that..


Americans want a quickfix. An overnight make over and suckers are born every minute.


Am not belittling them because they have come up with great revolutionary technologies ( laser root canal..etc).


Every society has always been concerned about looking good........it is just that the methods differs.


When I know read that more and more Asian girls are becoming anorexic..despite their original petite size generally ..stuff to ponder about.


I reallly think there is nothing bad about looking good ! It is an exercise in discipline, choosing the right food, exercising etc.


it is about self confidence and taking care of yourself. For yourself (self-esteem), etc..





PS: I always wondered why those ';stars'; (celebrities) were not using the Magic Pills..


But think about it.......when photoshop can make a person look way better.......it also has the power of making people look way worse ???( am thinking about tabloids ? '; look who has cellulite etc..';





tabloids sell..
Girls feel insecure about themselves.


Its not only TV, magazines and celebrities, it also the people around them.


Friends and relatives also have a big impact on this.


And not only that, the clothes you can get anymore are for anorexic skinny girls, and then they have the XXL clothes. (that's what i pretty much find in stores anymore)





So a lot of girls give in to the fact that they have to look pretty for guys, skinny for girls (to fit in with the crowd ), Fit into skinny clothes (because that's pretty much all they have for girls anymore), and what people think about them.





Girls need to realize that people should like who you are for who you are, not what clothes they wear, how popular/good looking their boyfriend is, how their hair is styled, etc.
Yes, the ';industry'; or maybe large companies would be a better word. The more the companies can make you feel bad about your weight,abs,hair ,skin or even eye color the more money the company makes. Everything is about money!!!! Watch the news, look in the stores or even read a newspaper. You go to the store, get clothes the size you normally wear and ..do they fit???? NO!!! Companies are making clothes smaller so you feel bad about gaining weight, so now you are buying diet pills to lose weight, that you didn't gain to begin with. It's all about money.
I wish I knew. Somebody someplace decided what is attractive and appealing and what isn't. Nowadays if you don't have perfect, white teeth, shiny beautifully colored hair, a flawless complexion, full lips, perfect breasts, a flat stomach with 6 pack abs, slim hips, long legs and slim ankles, and weigh no more than a feather.....you are considered imperfect. Its funny, because many, many years ago, a woman or man with some flesh on their bones was considered attractive and healthy, check out paintings by Peter Paul Rubens. Yes, some people are very overweight and should take better care of the bodies the good Lord gave them.....but to be consider unattractive or imperfect because of that is stupid and ridiculous. The media has done a lot of damage in this area. They decide who is perfect and who isn't.....who is considered beautiful and who isn't. Cruel comments are made about those that aren't ';the norm'; and people, being afraid of not fitting in, grab onto this garbage that is being spewed at us in magazines, on TV, in the movies and think that if we don't look like the latest Hollywood actor or actress, we are imperfect. Its a sad commentary on how things are going in our country....when someone can't be accepted for who they are, but only what they look like and whether they are wearing the latest and greatest fashion.
number one answer: the MEDIA





number two answer: the brainwashed people who listen to the MEDIA





number three answer: MONEY because money is what drives the MEDIA





EDIT:


I forgot to mention that people want to ';look good';, but the media blows it way out of proportion and makes it seem as if looking like yourself isn't enough. And also, since people are easily manipulated, they go and comment on everyone elses look because they have the ideal image in their heads making other people feel insecure about themselves, hence the obsession.
the tv/media. it's crazy cause it really messes people up. especially the teens growing up they have so much pressure on them now. i would say more of females with the pressure to look good and slim. then you have the people that are obsessed and it carries over to their attitude about other people and how they look and the people that are not perfect and they look down on them.none of that is important to me. yes i need to have good hygiene etc. but i don't let others dictate what trend is going on or what way to look. i'm happy with my self in my own space.
I don't know, but I'm 34 and balding, and I feel like a damn elephant. Is there such a place where you can be a slob like most Americans and not be judged for it? If so, where is it this paradise, because I'm moving there!





Anyway, yea..it's the media. We see these Paris Hiltons and whatever the ';hot'; guy is these days (I dont pay attention to the guys) and if you don't look like them then something is wrong with you...according to media standards.





This country is great, but in that department it really is messed up. Also, if you try to order a burger and fries, they literally try to FORCE you to ';super size'; and most people just can't resist.





I can...but oh well.
You need some Mighty putty or the Shamwow and then you will be saying wow shamwow.





It is consumerism where even youth and the illusion of such is a purchase away. Turn on the television or pick up any magazine and the advertising tells you that you are incomplete and fullfillment is in your grasp.





The value of family and faith are replaced with unending greed.
If you walk out of the house, I bet you'll have a glimps in the mirror happy with how you look. Otherwise, you'll put on a hat, glasses or somethng to hide the unwanted or simply not go out. Whatever the arguement is, its in each and everyone of you. Everyone wants to look good one way or the other. Everyone wants to achieve something, even those skinny *** models. And its not just americans, its EVERYWHERE!
LOL...I've been to over 13 countries in various parts of the world, and clearly Americans (im American) are the most overweight of any country. Sad but true. If we dont teach the adults in America to eat more healthy, then their children will inherit the same ideas and values.
BECAUSE THIS IS WESTERN CULTURE, THE WESTERN CULTURE IS ABOUT HOW WHITE FEMALES TO BE DRESSED LIKE A PROSTITUTE AND WHITE FEMALES ARE GIVEN THE RIGHT TO BE SELFISH AND MISTREAT AND ABUSE MEN USING LAW. THIS IS WESTERN ';DEMOCRACY'; AND WESTERN PEOPLE GOOD AT APPLYING DOUBLE STNDARDS TO TAKE ADVANTAGES FOR THEMSELVES. SEE. OBSESSIONS SUCH AS LASER HAIR REMOVALS ETC. CAN CAUSE CANCER.
it starts in hollywood, where, if you age at all, you don't work., in films that is. the rest of the nation began to worry about their looks after time. it's just silly.
Hollywood makes money. Hollywood attracts people through good looking celebs. People want to look like Hollywood stars (give me Beyonces butt, Angelinas lips).


Voila.
these things are just considered attractive in america. maybe it comes from being jealous of sexy europeans?
They're too rich.. somehow..
It is the ultimate lack of spirituality.





Should you love the wine or the bottle?
blame the media
why dont you ask the media.....








they only seem to hire visually pleasing people
people are tired of being fat,nasty, pigs as they say.
i just laugh....
So we won't look like losers... DUH!!!