A. Bodies

     Every year, 150,000 women die from complications associated with anorexia and bulimia. The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders says 7 million American women suffer from the two diseases associated with the female desire to be thin.
     A survey of 33,000 women by Glamour magazine 10 years ago shows that women value being thin more than they value success or love.
     "More women than ever before are dissatisfied with their bodies." This is the beginning of a story in a Midwestern newspaper that covers surveys of American women "varying in age, occupation, marital status, race, ethnic background and social class."
The Wall Street Journal reported that many "outwardly healthy teen-agers think of these drugs (appetite suppressants) as a standard way to diet. An astonishing 49% of teen-age girls responding to a recent survey by Sassy magazine reported using diet pills, while 13% of the magazine's young readers have tried laxatives or diuretics for weight loss."
     These pills are "neither effective nor safe," says the Journal story, but they are easily available and their use continues despite articles about their dangers.
     The New York Times reports that "poor body image is the most common cause of depression among adolescent girls," and a survey of 10-year-old girls shows that a majority reported being afraid of becoming too fat.
     Among adult women, complaints center on anxiety over specific body parts. One physician said women view their bodies as "an enemy." Surveys have found:

• One out of two women diets most of her life.
• Two out of three have mixed or depressed feelings looking at their nude bodies in the mirror.
• Fewer than half agreed with the statement, "I like my looks the way they are."
• Almost half said they would consider cosmetic surgery.

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Using this information, and any other you may obtain through a database search, devise a survey of girls, teen-agers and women in the community on the subject of body image and diet.

B. Regulations

     What are the regulations regarding smoking in your city for restaurants, bars, workplaces, schools, sports areas? Some cities have these regulations:
     Restaurants: Smoking prohibited except in a separately enclosed, separately ventilated smoking room not to exceed 25 percent of the seating area.
     Workplaces: Smoking prohibited except in a separately enclosed, separately ventilated smoking room.
Schools: Prohibited on all school property, K–12. For post-secondary schools, smoking is allowed only in a separately enclosed, separately ventilated room.
     Indoor sports areas: Only in separately enclosed, separately ventilated smoking room not to exceed 25 percent of the area.
Do health authorities consider the regulations in your community sufficient to prevent the dangers of second-hand tobacco smoke? What do the political leaders think; what have they done?
     What about the local jail? Many cities forbid smoking, as do state prisons in Oregon, Texas, Utah and Maryland. Seven other states permit inmates to smoke in restricted areas only.