TheDietDynamo.com is pleased to announce that Jacey Jarnagin has been selected as this year’s recipient of a $1000 academic scholarship. Thank you to everyone who submitted entries, and if you weren’t selected this year, be sure to check back in the coming school year for another chance to apply.
More About Jacey
Jacey Jarnagin is a junior at Mississippi College where she is studying to receive a BSBA in Marketing. She is involved in the Phi Theta Kappa alumni association as well as the Public Relations Association of Mississippi.
Jacey is passionate about customer service and believes that all aspects of any business rely on excellent communication skills.
After graduation, she plans to continue her education in pursuit of a PhD in Business Administration. From there, Jacey hopes to become a business professor who encourages innovative students for the future.
She is very grateful for The Diet Dynamo Scholarship Program and will be using the funds directly towards the cost of tuition and books.
Her Essay
As part of the application process, students were asked to submit a short essay; you can read Jacey’s below:
Jacey Jarnagin
TheDietDynamo.com Scholarship
6 December 2017
Why Our Society Continually Seeks Out Diets for Vanity and Health
Today, society is concerned with looks more than ever. Since the invention of the mirror over 200 years ago, people have become increasingly critical of their appearances. The average person is exposed to over 300 advertisements per day. Along with this, social media has become one of the most popular forms of communication. As a result, comparing physical features with others is now easier than ever. The standard of beauty is highly dictated by the media and beloved celebrities. It is no wonder why many people fall into the trap of wanting their bodies to match the body of their favorite star. However, trying to emulate the physique of a celebrity or supermodel is an unrealistic goal. The people who are involved with high-end photo shoots typically must strenuously train each day and restrict their diets. This is unachievable for the average sedentary worker that clocks in from 9 to 5.
Normally, a healthy weight is individualistic. Meaning, everyone’s body is composed differently. The Reference Daily Intake (RDI) will differ from person to person. If one is not educated in the number of calories they can consume in a day, weight gain may occur. 1 in 3 Americans is considered to be overweight. As mentioned before, the average American lifestyle does not allow enough time to live like a celebrity. Since diet represents 80% of weight contribution, it is no wonder why diet companies target the average person for their weight loss program. As mentioned on The Diet Dynamo website, companies such as Nutrisystem, South Beach, and Mayo Clinic offer step-by-step plans for weight loss. Most of these companies market themselves as easy to follow with their pre-packaged meals and recipe guides. These diet programs can be a major life-changing tool for people who find themselves unable to lose weight on their own.
Another marketing component of these diets is that users are usually guaranteed to lose weight in little time. For example, Nutrisystem promises users that they can lose up to 13 pounds and 7 inches within the first month. The South Beach diet claims that users will see noticeable results in the first two weeks. Mayo Clinic users are promised a weight loss jumpstart within their first two weeks. Since most people are seeking fast results during a weight loss program, companies know how to cater to that need. In fact, many users may become irritated or worried if they do not notice immediate results.
The downside to marketed dieting programs is that long-term health must be maintained on one’s own. It is not reasonable to stay on Nutrisystem or South Beach forever. Optimally, users of the diet plan will successfully learn how to apply the healthy techniques they learned during the diet for the rest of their lives. If not, users risk the chance of becoming yo-yo dieters, a vicious cycle of continuously losing and gaining weight.
In conclusion, society seeks diets out to feel a sense of belonging with the images portrayed in magazines, television, and media. If weight gain prevention is not properly managed, dieting is the first solution to turn to. Instead of going alone, many will decide upon a diet program. In the end, making good food choices and realizing that your body is unique is what leads to a healthy lifestyle.
