THE FEMALE BODY OBSESSION

Everyday day countless magazines and newspapers publish articles on the female body. What's the perfect size, what's the wrong size, how we should all try and look and so on.

To coincide with this we are constantly fed info on how we can achieve this so-called 'perfect' look; what diets to try, exercise plans to undertake, along with all the other crap on what clothes suit our figures, followed closely by adverts for cosmetic surgery to help 'improve' us! What a confidence boost hey!

The nation's obsession with how we look can be partly to blame for the rising numbers of eating disorders amongst young women, and increasingly, men, and it doesn't help with the media's scrutiny on the celebrity role models we are supposed to aspire and look up to.

For instance, Amy Winehouse comes on the scene, she's loved, and we're told how this tiny celebrity has the perfect little frame - only later, we find out she has an eating disorder and countless other problems. But because of the initial build-up of how great she is, the idea is already planted in girls minds that this is the 'look' we should be trying to achieve.

It is the media's constant judgement that I believe is one of the main reasons why the country is dealing with so many eating disorders, a figure that is on the rise for both sexes.

If only they bothered to look a little closer to home! If they bothered to spend time giving admiration to the athletes and sport stars our country has produced and is continuing to produce, then maybe the idea of exercise and eating a healthy balanced diet would be far more appealing for people.

You only have to look at the women footballers, not only in this country, but around the world, to see that a great figure along with a healthy body is achievable, and achievable in the right way!

If only the media would concentrate on these worthwhile role-models rather than the countless wags and other z-listers who have had numerous alterations to create their so-called 'perfect' look, then maybe from an early age, we'd already have the idea that regular exercise and a balanced diet is the way to stay healthy and happy!!

And for the narrow minded boys out there who think women footballers are all 'butch', here's Rachel Unitt proving otherwise.....

BIRDS WHO LIKE BALLS....

Now I've got your attention with the sexual innuendo used for my title, I'll begin ;-)

If you've read my 'About Me' section you'll see that I'm currently studying for a degree in Sports Journalism at Staffordshire University. As part of our Web-based Journalism class we have had to start our own individual blogs, and this got me thinking. The only sport I'm really passionate about is football, but I didn't want to focus on my beloved Aston Villa as I knew I'd be too biased, and there was no way I was going to spend my time talking about another team, after all I wouldn't want to cheat on them ;-)

Then came up the subject of women's football. After watching their World Cup campaign, (briefly I admit), I thought to myself, how unfair is it that the sport goes unnoticed by the media? I realised this could be by chance to help promote the sport! (Don't worry though, I don't have myself down as a crusader or anything)!

Having friends who also play the game, I feel like I'd be doing them a favour as well by giving them some much deserved publicity. (Don't worry girls, you'll be getting a mention soon enough)!

After spending lots of night's in - yes I've had nothing better to do - I've countlessly sifted through websites, articles, and even undertaken a few interviews to give myself a huge insight on the game, and the problems surrounding it. The outcome.......

I'm shocked at how little support and backing women receive within the game, the amount of obstacles they come against, and the countless stick they have to put up with. No wonder there is such a negative image associated with women's football.

Follow me through my blog as I share my revelations, opinions, real-life stories, and general chit-chat of everything surrounding the women's game.

Speak to you soon, Anne-Marie x x x

p.s Oh, and my thought for the day, a publication as big as The Sun dedicates 14 pages to the world of sport, and what does the women's coverage receive??? A poxy 2 paragraphs!!!