Bigger is Better, Right?

We now have concrete proof that the grass is not always greener in other pastures. In a recent study published in the Annals of Plastic Surgery, researchers found that women who have breast implants are three times more likely to commit suicide than other women. These findings should act as an alert to plastic surgeons to screen for heightened suicide risk among their clients.

This comes as no surprise to me. At the risk of offending every active member of the Silicon Sisters Society, I would assume that a significant percentage of women who seek out breast augmentation have serious self esteem issues.* Just so everybody knows that I am not pointing the finger here, we all do to one degree or another. I mean, everybody I have ever met has at least one physical characteristic they would like to change if they could - it's part of the human mind game. However, altering your body to fit within the illusion that you'll be more attractive and more desirable as a result of breast enlargement is just plain crazy. Big breasts don't make a woman's life any better than a bigger wallet does a man's, although many are convinced that both of these things are necessary to attract the opposite sex. Uh, no, sorry.

According to the study, "The increased risk of suicide was not apparent until 10 years after implantation." Also no surprises here. It likely takes this amount of time to realize that bigger breasts do not make life easier, happier, or more fulfilling. Big boobied birdies have just as many ups and downs as their smaller sisters do. And a lift here, a tuck there, doesn't remove the challenges we all must face in our lives.

But before you think my assessment is presumptive, please make note that the study also showed that women who opt for breast enlargement are three times as likely to die from drug and alcohol related deaths too, further pointing to self-esteem or body image problems. If you are contemplating having plastic surgery to improve your life, please give it a second thought. You're not going to suddenly find happiness in a bigger bra size.

*Please note: This study does not lead to the conclusion that all women who have breast augmentation have poor self esteem. Actually, it is more likely that women who have pathologically poor self esteem will look to external factors, like drugs, alcohol, and plastic surgery to boost their feelings of self worth.

Anorexia Is Not Just For Kids Anymore

Experts say that the number of women in their 30s, 40s and 50s being treated for anorexia is rising fast. One eating disorders treatment center in Minnesota says that its number of mature patients has increased from 9% in 2003 to 35% through only the first half of this year.

According to Carol Tappen, director of operations for the Park Nicollet Health Services' Eating Disorders Institute in St. Louis Park, Minn., women over 30 are dealing with body image issues and more, such as work, divorce, stepchildren and aging parents. They also are dealing with an aging process, or childbirth, that changes the way they look. Tappen says, "One day, (a woman) wakes up and the kids are gone and she has a sense that nobody really needs her. She looks in the mirror and she says, 'My body is shot.' This woman says, 'You know, that's it. I'm going on a diet.'"

This really is a complex issue with no easy answers. At the risk of stating the obvious, this is a serious self image issue with deep rooted beliefs on what makes a person worthwhile or desirable. Being healthy is one thing, and yes, your body can give you an accurate picture of your current level of health, but skinny does not equal healthy. Far too many people (both men and women) use their weight as a guide to their health - that's their reference point.

If you wake up one morning, look at your body and say, "I gotta make some changes." Great, make changes. Start exercising, eat healthy foods, see a chiropractor and get that neck ache squared away, but don't starve yourself. First off, it's counterproductive: You'll actually end up looking worse - it's not attractive. And secondly, it is so damaging to your health. What difference does it make at the end of the day if you're skinny but you drop dead because of the stresses you've put on your body?

I can't speak for every man (or woman - this is not a heterosexual thing) but I'm pretty certain that most men find self confidence and self comfortability more attractive than skinniness. Unfortunately, I think that society is inundated with images of ultra-thin fashion models and celebrities and begins to think it's normal. It's not! Maybe a few of those images reflect the normal body shapes of some particular celebs, but many of these women are anorexic too.

Some women will say, "I don't need to lose weight for anybody but myself - I feel better when I'm thinner." Really? Somehow, I just don't buy it. A fine line sits between being over and under weight, but as I've said before, weight is simply a poor way to evaluate one's health. Do the right things, practice the six keys to optimal health, and if you don't look and feel great, you just haven't given it enough time. Remember one thing: nobody is rejecting you because of your weight - it might be a lot of things, but it ain't that. And if for any odd reason it is, then that person isn't worth a pound of....