What is it about the human body that makes it so impossible to perfect?

Men and women alike strive for the “ideal” body. Sometimes they do it for others, and sometimes they do it for themselves. However, along the way, many people find themselves falling into a negative perception of their bodies and can adopt dangerous and destructive behaviors.

According to a study on obesity by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), obesity prevalence was not different between men and women. However, a  study of 135 people by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) that studied the prevalence of eating disorders among Americans found that at least 85 percent of people who suffer from anorexia or bulimia are women.

If men and women are equally as likely to be obese, why are women so much more likely to develop an eating disorder than men?

The standards of beauty that society has demanded of women throughout history have rapidly changed. In just 60 years, women’s ideal body type has encompassed Marilyn Monroe’s hourglass figure, the athletic builds and towering heights of the ’80s supermodels, the “heroin chic” emaciation of the ‘90s, and the Kim Kardashian bootyliciousness of today.

In addition, many of the body types of the women media are physically unattainable, being digitally altered to fit society’s perception of beauty.

According to a study on the effects of eating disorders on women by the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD), the body type of women portrayed in advertisements is only possessed naturally by five percent of American females.

Also, in a self-reported survey and clinical interview of elite athletes in the Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine, 42 percent of female elite athletes in aesthetic sports (gymnastics, ballet, etc.) had eating disorders.

While only five to 15 percent of men reportedly have eating disorders, 4.2 percent of male teenagers have taken steroids to enhance their muscles. In contrast, only 2.1 percent of females have used this drug for muscle growth, according to a youth risk behavior survey conducted by the CDC.

Both men and women battle with negative body images that stem from the influences of society and mass media. Everyone has different body types and perceptions of themselves, yet society demands similar things of dissimilar bodies.

The key to championing the influences of society and coming out a victor is remembering that the human body is varied and beautiful, and that, no matter what, there are people who understand and sympathize with what you’re going through.

Billy Jump is an In-Depth Editor for The Patriot and jcpatriot.com.