In the week before I came to college, I accidentally learned what constitutes a “meme”. It was a quick conversation because it made so much sense in my millennial, internet-wired, mind. Since I put a name on these rapidly spreading posts and images, I have wanted to discuss with someone (literally anyone, hi vast internet) about the proliferation of “Healthy Eating Memes”/diet “Memes”.
As usual, I was able to find information on the web. Over 1/3, 34% of the Unites population is obese and with the inclusion of overweight statistics 69% of the United States population is above a healthy BMI (body mass index) range (“Adult Obesity Facts”, 2015). It is not too shocking that millions of internet users can relate to having health, particularly weight, issues. These users are expressing wide scale frustration with their failing diets and increasing health problems.
As C Wright Mills says, there is a link between personal troubles and public issues. As seen on countless Instagram weight-loss profiles, there is a pressure on individuals to achieve their ideal weight or to lose weight; however, equal pressure does not exist on the structuralized issues creating the mental health risks, deaths, and physical risks of the people (“Adult Obesity Facts”, 2015).
Oftentimes the stress is directed at an individuals eating choices and away from these systems. Unfortunately, individualistic dieting has been found to fail people long-term who are trying to be healthier (Tylka, 2006). The contention and drama between the successes of different diets has continued to build for scientists and YouTubers alike. Frankly, I am aggravated that there is a large amount of conflict between how to solve this problem through diet and exercise and less conflict with food regulation and food producing companies.
I still grin when I these internet memes because they really do supply an amusing paradox, they are totally serious and totally hilarious. These healthy eating/diet internet memes tell a message inherent to the definition of a “Meme”. “Memes” spread if enough people find appeal in the substance provided. These “Healthy Eating Memes” provide an argument that systematic change needs a “Motivation Monday”. The reason these images are being shared is that an abundance of people are disappointed. With only 31% of the United States population being at a healthy BMI, social structures and industries need to change. Perhaps "Memes" do have a lot of thought behind them? Is "Meme" a real word yet?
Here is my favorite "Fitness/ Healthy Eating Meme":
References:
Adult Obesity
Facts. (2015). Retrieved April 13, 2016, from
http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html
Tylka, T. L.
(2006). Development and psychometric evaluation of a measure of intuitive
eating. Journal
of Counseling Psychology, 53(2), 226-240.
doi:10.1037/0022-0167.53.2.226
I think that the concept of memes in relation to expressing social problems is a very interesting topic. The way that you went about this article could be extended to a variety of other issues facing American culture. Most Memes express some sort of view or problem, and then the most popular ones get shared around the internet. By looking at the current memes, one could see the different problems facing the online community at that time period.
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