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The impact of media on body image
The effect of media on body image and self - esteem
How does the media play a role in the prevalence of eating disorders
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Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate than any other mental illness, with anorexia being 12 times higher than any other causes of death in women between the ages of 15 and 24, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Teenagers and adolescents are growing up in a world full of mass media production: television, magazine, internet, movies, advertisement, etc. My best friend and I: both healthy girls-fell for societies ridiculous and awful standards of beauty. My friend (whom shall remain nameless) was a chubby girl-who was always made fun off about her weight; me, on the other hand slim, athletic never had any issues with my weight, but never thought I was pretty or beautiful. Being best friends: it was not out of the ordinary to experiment with eating disorders. Mind you, we were two naïve 12 and 13 year old girls. She wanted to stop getting made fun of I was obliged to help. This is when I say: advertising and magazine know how to target girls with low self-esteem. According to CQ researcher, about 35 million Americans have or will experience an eating disorders. Eating disorders have been around for centuries. St Catherine of Siena, was one of the known sufferers. She deprived herself of food to achieve a “saints-like” state (Hunt). She suffers from anorexia believing …show more content…
Marketers have one target in mind-the children, because parent are more obliged to buy what their kids want (Munsey). A documentary America the Beautiful directed by Darryl Robert: he discusses how we are so saturated with unhealthy body image that is influenced by our culture and society. Though out the film; one girl in particular stuck-out. Her name is Gerren Taylor- she started modeling at the age of 12 years old. She was not modeling clothes for young adult or kids-she was modeling clothes for women.” Now, how in the HELL are you going to put a 12 year old girl-who has not developed yet, model clothes for
Eating Disorders are on a rapid rise in the United States today, they sweep the halls of Junior High School, High Schools, College Campuses and even Elementary Schools. These disorders are often referred to by professionals as the “Deadly Diet,” however you may know them as Anorexia or Bulimia. Eating disorder effect more than 20% of young females and males in today’s society. Ranging in age from thirteen to forty. It is very rare for a child of a young age to not know someone who is suffering from an eating disorder or symptoms that are associated with one. Statistically it has been proven that one out of every five young woman suffer from serious issues dealing with eating and or weight. (Bruch, 25)
Researchers and doctors find eating disorders to be very complicated to figure out due to the many different factors leading to eating disorders. The majority of these issues derive from media images portraying the “perfect” bodies bringing people to believe that they need to change their eating habits to become that “perfect” image. On average, people waste around 31 hours a week on the internet and spend anywhere from two to four hours a day looking up cosmetic surgery procedures and investigating dietary and weight loss plans in an attempt to get that model worthy body (The Telegraph). Men and women should be proud of whom they are and not be envious of others so much as to want to change their entire appearance; God made us all perfect through his eyes; why would anyone want to change that uniqueness about them?
Eating disorders have been a part of the world’s culture ever since people began recording history. These disorders were first recorded in Egypt, where the Egyptians would partake in a monthly purge that would last anywhere from an hour to as long as two weeks. The Egyptians thought the purge showed their gods how faithful they were to them, and would often purge weekly if they had thought they had done something to displease the gods (Epstein 33). Though there are many individual specialized eating disorder conditions, three main disorders affect the majority of society today. These three disorders are anorexia n...
Anorexia is a serious disorder that involves compulsive dieting and excessive weight loss. According to The National Institute of Mental Health, anorexia is characterized by emaciation, a relentless pursuit of thinness, and extremely disturbed eating behaviors (Parks, 2009). The “disturbed eating behaviors” associated with anorexia include unhealthy weight loss and weight control methods, behaviors such as abusing or self-induced vomiting, and a distorted view of one’s personal appearance (Shepphird, 2010). Anorexics in general survive on 500 calories or less per day, and they count every calorie they consume (Parks, 2009). Symptoms often also include the inability or refusal to maintain a healthy weight and a great fear of gaining weight (Shepphird, 2010).
Anorexia has many negative effects as well. According to the University of Maryland Medical Centers article Eating Disorders, “Anorexia nervosa can increase the risk for serious health problems such as: hormonal changes including reproductive, thyroid, stress, and growth hormones, heart problems such as abnormal heart rhythm, electrolyte imbalance, fertility problems, bone density loss, anemia, and neurological problems.” Anorexia can severely affect a person internally. The continuous lack of nutrients can leave an anorexic person extremely frail. The heart in particular can grow so weak, that heart failure occurs. Eating disorders can lead too permanent health damages can stay with a person for the rest of their life.
Do you like what you see after you look within the mirror? Envision looking in the mirror and you see something other than what is truthfully there. That’s a nightmare numerous women suffering with eating disorders live with daily. No matter how pretty. In today's modern society we live in an image conscious culture, that encourage individuals to improve their image and this particularly goes towards women. Eating disorder is any of a range of psychological disorders characterized by abnormal or disturbed eating habits like anorexia nervosa could be an example.
Binge-eating disorder is defined as an eating disorder in which a person frequently consumes large amounts of food while feeling out of control and unable to stop. Almost everyone overeats every once in a while but for some people overeating crosses the line to binge-eating disorder and it becomes a regular occurrence. Many people who have this disorder may feel embarrassed about eating large amounts of food in front of others however the urge and compulsiveness of this disorder continues to affect their eating habits. Binge-eating disorder is estimated to affect approximately 1-5% of the general population and also tends to affect women slightly more often than men. Binge-eating disorder is often associated with symptoms of depression and people diagnosed with this may often express distress, shame, and guilt over their eating behaviors.
There is substantial evidence that supports the efficacy of individual and group CBT in treating binge eating disorder (“Part A,” 2006). The CBT approach for binge eating disorder is active and directive. At the cognitive level individuals in CBT are taught to identify, test, and correct their faulty cognitions. Behavioral strategies in CBT for binge eating include monitoring binge patterns, educating the individual, and introducing incompatible activities (Parrott, 1998). One study assessed the long-term efficacy of CBT in the treatment of binge eating disorder. They assessed a sample of 68 patients with binge eating disorder and a substantial reduction of binge eating was observed during treatment. There was a decline at the three-year follow-up and at the four, five, and six-year follow up there was a slight worsening of binge eating was observed in the individuals (Ricca, Mannucci, Zucchi, Rotella, & Faravelli, 2000). Other psychosocial therapies that show efficacy in the treatment for binge eating disorder are interpersonal therapy (IPT) and dialectical behavior therapy. There is evidence that both of these therapies are effective in the improvement of behavioral and psychological symptom (“Part A,” 2006).
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.
In civilized societies, there are continuous prizing of thinness than ever before. Occasionally, almost everyone is watchful of their weight. Individuals with an eating disorder take extreme measures to concern where they ultimately shift their mode of eating, this abnormal eating pattern threatens their lives and their well-being. According to Reel (2013), eating disorders are continually misapprehended as all about food and eating. However, there is more to that as the dysfunction bears from emotion concealing a flawed relationship with food, physical exercise and oneself. Persons with eating disorders convey fault-finding, poor self- esteem and intense body discontent. This can lead to extreme distress of gaining weight,
There may be murmurs about that girl who only fixes herself a salad with only vinegar at dining services or suspicious glances at someone who spends 45 minutes on the treadmill and then switches to the stair stepper at the rec. On-campus eating disorders are talked about everywhere and yet are not really talked about at all. There is observation, concern, and gossip, but hushed conversation and larger scale efforts to help and change never seem to earn public attention.
Much like most other physical or mental illnesses, eating disorders can bring consequences that have costly and lasting effects. A person might develop depression or anxiety, or other mental disorder, as a result of the eating disorder. Especially because of the secretive nature of their activities, they might feel isolated, lonely, or hated. They also face the social impact, as there is an emotional toll to the individual and even their families and friends. The individual might feel guilt and shame for what they’re doing and the families/friends might feel the same way for not being able to prevent or help the individual. There’s an economic burden because disordered eating can cause rising costs of healthcare and insurance. Eating disorders were found related to higher unemployment rates. This not only impacts the individual,
Eating disorders affect a variety of individuals. This is due, in part, to what we believe beauty is. Mass media has an influence on these eating disorders. Girls believe that they should look like the super models that they see on television or in fashion magazines. This encourages them to take dangerous measures that will make them lose weight in unhealthy ways. This is a huge problem in our society and it needs to be addressed. According to Naomi Wolf, “ In her book The beauty myth” beauty today is not, about makeup. It’s the disempowering, backlash of propaganda that suggests that feminism makes women ugly, or forces women to choose between beauty and liberation.” (Wolf 2)
Eating disorders are a big issue in society these days. Young adults and adults are starting to have body images that are likely not reachable. More than 8 million people suffer from an eating disorder in America itself. Eating disorders are mental disorders about abnormal eating or not eating enough a day. There many eating disorders including Anorexia nervosa, Bulimia, Binge eating disorders and lots more. All these and more eating disorders is a way people thinking that they can escape their problems.
They do this because teenagers are the most important demographic for marketers. The marketers advertise through commercials by showing what the “it” makeup or the trending fashion is (raisingchildren.net.au). Teens are highly susceptible to messages around body image and the marketers use this to their advantage. Teenagers feel like if it is advertised this way then this image is how they are supposed to look or be. Media even uses movies, television, and magazines to influence teens. They have held up thin body images as the ideal body for women for years, creating a false sense of self image to most teen