Thigh Gaps

It is not a recent discovery that young women strive for the perfect body image portrayed by the media. There is an entire section on Pinterest devoted to health and fitness. This page is plastered with images of very thin women with perfect curves only where they want them and "how to's" on getting skinny. But if you search the phrase "thigh gap" on Pinterest there is a new service announcement trying to get the attention of users and help them recognize that thigh gaps are not a sign of health. 

When PSU men were asked about thigh gaps, there reactions support the idea that the thigh gap is not a quality that they are looking for: 
"I like girls who have something to them, having a thigh gap is something that I would never notice in a girl," said an Anonymous PSU male.  

 "Why would a thigh gap be attractive?" asked another Anonymous PSU male.

Students all agree, having a thigh gap will not make a girl more beautiful, more attractive, or more confident. Being happy and healthy will. Girls who starve themselves and spend hours on the treadmill are not practicing good health habits. Eating right, drinking water, exercising reasonably, and getting rest are all healthy habits that everyone should practice. Wanting to make a change in a person's body is normal, but going to extremes may be the beginning of an eating disorder.  

"I think that the entire thigh gap phenomena is ridiculous. Girls who are genetically made with one a ridiculed, and girls whose bodies aren't structured that way are striving for an impossible goal," said an Anonymous PSU female.  

"Thigh gaps are unrealistic, it has little to nothing to do with what your active lifestyle is like, rather it's a calculation of your luck in the genetic lottery. Every person is different, and every person is beautiful in his or her own way. Thigh gap or not, legs are legs," said Junior Miranda Casey. 
 

"Women are born with thighs. The ones with thigh gaps are born naturally skinny and petite. The ones without gaps should stop worrying," said another Anonymous PSU female. 

Eating disorders are not lifestyle choices, they are mental disorders that if left untreated can cause serious health problems or could even be life-threatening. For treatment referrals, information, and support, you can always contact the National Eating Disorders Association 

Helpline at 1-800-931-2237 or www.nationaleatingdisorders.org. 
If you or someone you know is suffering from an eating disorder visit the above website or call the hotline, it could save a life.