Non-Fiction Reading Response

        In the article, "Thigh Gap Trend Raises Health Concerns", the main idea is about how teen's obsessions over a 'thigh gap' may contribute to eating disorders. The author Jim Salter talks about how teens are constantly using social media sites like Tumblr, Facebook, and other blogs as an inspiration to fulfill their dream of obtaining a 'thigh gap'. Vonda Wright, an orthopedic Surgeon explains in the article how a 'thigh gap' is mostly based on genetics, and that it is unlikely to obtain one from starving. Overall experts believe that "exposure to images of extreme beauty standards and the drive to compare does increase the risk of developing eating disorders."
     
         I think the author wants the reader to feel good about their bodies and wants them to take caution when using social media websites by not becoming negatively influenced by them. Jim Salter does a good job conveying his message by incorporating the story of a girl going through an eating disorder in High School, so that many teens would be able to relate to her age, and see what could happen to them. He also included quotes of people who knew a lot about the topic, such as Surgeons, Chiefs of eating disorder centers, and people who work with Division athletes.Vonda Wright also quotes, "and even extraordinary thin people may not have a body type that can achieve a gap." Here the author included this quote to show that it is not very likely that teens will get a 'thigh gap' by starving themselves because of their body type.
     
         After reading "Thigh Gap Trend Raises Health Concerns", it has given me more knowledge as to why I have become more and more insecure and unhappy about my body. Jim Salter's article has changed my thinking by making me realize that I should feel good about myself, and that not everyone can have a body like the super skinny girls on Tumblr or on other social media websites. In the future, I would like to research what really causes insecurity, and what causes someone to think that changing who they are, or the way they look will make them feel better about themselves?