While focusing on fashion this week we at The Spectator did not want to overlook a part of the fashion industry that often is. Body shaming and the lack of body positivity in the United States fashion scene are far too prevalent.

According to the Multi-Service Eating Disorders Association, 40% of female college and 7% of college male students suffer from some type of eating disorder. This high number is alarming to us at The Spectator.

The lack of body positivity in our country and the high rates of eating disorders among college students is no coincidence. While being flooded with images of unrealistic men and women through magazines, television and the Internet it is easy to understand why these eating disorders develop so often.

However, The Spectator staff commends Sports Illustrated and Mattel, Inc. for their recent strides in making their products more body positive. The Swimsuit edition of Sports Illustrated recently used their first plus sized model, Ashley Graham size 14, on the cover of the magazine.

While on a more child friendly level, Mattel announced their plans to release a line of Barbie dolls in 2016 that bare the same measurements as average women. The iconic doll will also be available in a number different heights, skin tones, hair colors, and eye colors.

The cover of this week’s edition was meant to highlight all of the different body shapes, sizes, and colors that grace the VSU campus. With this, we hope to inspire a wave of change on our campus. We hope you are all able to find beauty in your own bodies, as well as remembering that beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, and colors.