Eating Disorders

727 Words2 Pages

People that have an eating disorder will have a negative view of their body image and generally try to control their weight by exercising excessively, purging, or dieting. Besides genetic and psychological factors, research has shown that the media is a huge contributor to eating disorders. The media has changed so much over many years and now has the persuasive power to manipulate and shape people’s beliefs and attitudes. This has sparked the debate among psychologists regarding the media’s contributing harmful effects on eating disorders. As I delve further into the issue, I will explain how the media encourages people to strive for an unattainable body image and often promotes harmful dieting and weight loss strategies. A person’s perception of their own physical appearance is referred to as their body image. This is not something that a person is born with, they learn it. The media has set many standards on what is considered ugly and what is considered fashionable or attractive. Messages from the media promote the idea that for a person to be successful they need to be extremely thin. These messages have a huge effect on young people and cause them to become overly obsessed with their appearance and weight, which may lead them to an eating disorder. In our modern society, media puts emphasis on being thin to be beautiful. For instance, when a model or a celebrity gains a small amount of weight they are scrutinized by the media and will have their picture plastered on the front pages of magazines with horrible comments on their weight. Furthermore, if you look at the majority of advertisements, whether it be on television, Facebook, Twitter, or in a magazine, they are aimed at women and are products to help them ... ... middle of paper ... ...nd preferences among pre-adolescent children. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 199-208. Eating disorders Statistics Curtis. (2014, January 1). ANAD. Eating Disorders Statistics « « National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders. Retrieved May 2, 2014, from http://www.anad.org/get-information/about-eating-disorders/eating-disorders-statistics/ Eating Disorders Statistics Rader, J. (2014, January 1). Media Influence. Eating Disorders and. Retrieved May 2, 2014, from http://www.raderprograms.com/causes-statistics/media-eating-disorders.html Eating Disorders and Media Influence Rader, J. (2012, August 28). Does the media cause eating disorders?. Health Care Communications. Retrieved May 2, 2014, from http://www.healthcarecommunication.com/Main/Articles/Does_the_media_cause_eating_disorders_9417.aspx# Does the media cause eating disorders

Analysis of Eating Disorders
2686 Words | 6 Pages
Derenne, Jennifer L., and Eugene V. Beresin. "Body Image, Media, and Eating Disorders." Academic Psychiatry 30. June (2006): 257-61. Web. 23 Mar. 2011.
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Influence of the Media on Eating Disorders
2668 Words | 6 Pages
Smolak, Linda, Michael P. Levine, and Ruth Striegel-Moore. "Media as Context." The Developmental Psychopathology of Eating Disorders: Implications for Research, Prevention, and Treatment. Mahwah, NJ: L. Erlbaum Associates, 1996. 235-53. Print.
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Eating Disorders
2394 Words | 5 Pages
Look in the mirror. Do you like what you see? Most of us have come to appreciate ourselves for who we are. While other’s struggle to achieve the perfect body. They strive to be what is depicted in fashion magazines and movies. The never ending obsession to be the perfect size zero. This inevitably can lead to eating disorders. Eating disorders can cause someone to have an unhealthy image of themselves and food is the enemy. In a national survey at the Mclean Hospital in Massachusetts it was estimated that over 9 million people suffer with eating disorders. They can struggle with anorexia, bulimia or binge eating. A study conducted by the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders states that most of these diseases start before the age of twenty. Another growing problem in the United States is obesity. Over 60 million Americans suffer from this disease, this according to the American Obesity Association (gale opposing viewpoints: eating disorders 2010).
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Anorexia Essay
1679 Words | 4 Pages
One of the main external factors in the development of an eating disorder is the media. The media objectifies both men and women throug...
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The Effects of Media on the Body-Image of Preadolescent Girls
1991 Words | 4 Pages
National Eating Disorder Association (2006). The media, body image, and eating disorders. Retrieved October 11, 2008, from http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org
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Socio-Cultural Influences on Eating Disorders
1068 Words | 3 Pages
“The attention-grabbing pictures of various high-flying supermodels and actors on different magazine covers and advertisements go a long way in influencing our choices” (Bagley). The media is highly affective to everyone, although they promote an improper image of living. Research proved says those with low self-esteem are most influenced by media. Media is not the only culprit behind eating disorders. However, that does not mean that they have no part in eating disorders. Media is omnipresent and challenging it can halt the constant pressure on people to be perfect (Bagley). Socio-cultural influences, like the false images of thin women have been researched to distort eating and cause un-satisfaction of an individual’s body. However, it is clear that, although virtually all women are exposed to these socio-cultural influences, only a very small proportion develop clinical eating disorders (Mazzeo and Bulik). Every article believes that socio-culture have an impact on eating disorders. Although, researchers believe that is not the only reason, and the easiest statement to make. Eating disorders are far more complicated than it just being blamed on the media. Bagley, Mazzeo and Bulik all state that media play a role in the development but are not the main reason to developing an eating disorder. In all of the research done thus far media is a part of eating disorders, but not the only culprit.
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Eating Disorders : Eating Disorder
1323 Words | 3 Pages
Eating disorders are described as an illness involving eating habits that are irregular and an extreme concern with body image or weight. Eating disorders tend to appear during teenage years, but can develop at any age. Although more common in women, eating disorders can affect any age, gender or race. In the United States, over 20 million women and 10 million men are personally affected by eating disorders. There are many different causes of eating disorders such as low self esteem, societal pressures, sexual abuse and the victims perception of food. Eating disorders are unique to the sufferer and often, their perception of themselves is so skewed, they may not be aware they have an eating disorder. Media, for quite some time now, has played a significant part in eating disorders. Magazines with headlines ‘Summer Body’, or ‘Drop LB’s Fast!’ attract the attention of girls who may be insecure with themselves. Television productions such as the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show or American’s Next Top Model, show airbrushed and photoshopped women who have body types that may be unachievable. Those who are suffering from eating disorders can suffer dangerous consequences, and it is important to seek help.
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Media's Role in Promoting Eating Disorders
1864 Words | 4 Pages
Derenne, J. L., & Beresin, E. V. (2006). Body image, media, and eating disorders. Academic Psychiatry, 30(3), 257-61. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.waketech.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/196508089?accountid=15152
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Argumentative Essay On Eating Disorders
634 Words | 2 Pages
Many individuals with bulimia, anorexia, or binge eating disorder, do not seek help until they reach their thirties or forties when their eating is deeply ingrained and more difficult to change. Bulimia is often treated more successfully that anorexia, partly because bulimia patients usually want to be treated. Aside from interpersonal issues, such as depression and OCD, eating disorders are strongly provoked by television, electronic devices, and in some cases because of the influences presented by one's parents or friends. Many are unaware of the harm media causes toward its targeted audience. Overall, the media has completely taken over our lifestyle and continues to gain more control every day. Eating disorders don’t belong to a specific face, race, or shape. Anybody can fall victim to these sicknesses.
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Unrealistic Body Images
1147 Words | 3 Pages
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. In our society today, people would rather see what celebrities are up to than what is going on with our health plan. Watching the news makes us aware of the latest trend, new gadget, who’s in rehab, or who has an eating disorder. In the eyes of society, women like Eva Longoria, Kim Kardashian, and Megan Fox are the epitome of perfection. What girl wouldn’t want to look like them? Unfortunately, this includes most of the girls in the US. Through TV shows, commercials, magazines or any form of advertising, the media enforces a certain body type which women emulate. The media has created a puissant social system where everyone must obtain a thin waist and large breasts. As a society, we are so image obsessed with the approval of being thin and disapproval of being overweight, that it is affecting the health of most women. Women much rather try to fit the social acceptance of being thin by focusing on unrealistic body images which causes them to have lower self esteem and are more likely to fall prey to eating disorders, The media has a dangerous influence on the women’s health in the United States.
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Reasons Why Women Develop a Negative Body Image
1161 Words | 3 Pages
Levine, Michael P., and Sarah K. Murnen. "Everybody Knows That Mass Media Are/Are Not [Pick One] A Cause Of Eating Disorders": A Critical Review Of Evidence For A Causal Link Between Media, Negative Body Image, And Disordered Eating In Females." Journal Of Social & Clinical Psychology 28.1 (2009): 9-42. Academic Search Premier. Web. 28 Mar. 2014.
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Eating Disorders
408 Words | 1 Pages
An eating disorder is a serious health condition involving extremely unhealthy dietary habits. There are a number of accepted eating disorder treatments that depend on the symptoms and severity of the illness. The most effective treatments involve both psychological as well as physical issues with the ultimate goal being a healthy dietary lifestyle. The team approach to treatment involves professionals with experience in eating disorders that usually includes a medical provider, mental health workers, registered dieticians and case managers. These individuals work together in hopes of avoiding a life threatening situation.
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Understanding Eating Disorders
1178 Words | 3 Pages
ANAD. “Eating Disorders Statistics”. National Association of Anorexia Nervosa & Associated Disorders, Inc., 2013.Web. 18 Nov 2013.
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Harmful Effets of Photoshop
916 Words | 2 Pages
"ANAD." Eating Disorders Statistics « « National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Apr. 2014.
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Social Media Has a Negative Effect on Body Image and Self Esteem
1204 Words | 3 Pages
Derenne, J. L., & Beresin, E. V. (2006). Body image, media, and eating disorders. Academic Psychiatry, 30(3), 257-261.
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Eating Disorders

Analysis of Eating Disorders

Influence of the Media on Eating Disorders