The Media and Eating Disorders

The influence of the media on the increase of eating disorders cannot be refuted. From an early age we were bombarded with images and messages that reinforce the idea to be happy and successful you must be thin. Today, you cannot read a magazine or newspaper, turn on the television, listen to the radio, or shop at the mall without being assaulted with the message that fat is bad. The most frightening part is that this destructive message is reaching kids. Today even elementary kids are obsessed with their weight. Diet and diet related products alone are a 33 billion dollar a year industry. In 1970 the average age of a girl on a diet was 14, buy 1990 it was 8. Everywhere you go, people are always saying that they're overweight, when a study shows that 3 out of 4 women and men stated that they were overweight when only one of them really was. The ideal weight decreases every year of about 2 to 3 percent. Pamela Anderson who is 5'7" and 120 pounds is supposed to be the voluptuous idol yet she is 11% under ideal body weight. In contrast, a generation ago Marilyn Munro set the beauty standard at 5'5" and 135 pounds. Today her agent would probably tell her to lose weight. Changing societies views cannot happen overnight, you need to be realistic. Adults need to be a good role model to their children. Kids today have enough pressure from the media and peers. Try not to express dissatisfaction with your body in front of them. Studies have shown that parents who have displayed dissatisfaction with their bodies were more likely to have children with body image disturbances when they become adults.

In conclusion, it is my opinion that eating disorders are caused at large by the media. I think this is because every time you turn around there is always a Cindy Crawford picture on the wall. People need to realize that not everyone looks like that. Your body is unique and is meant to be the way it is.

Bibliography

the news paper

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