We live in a media obsessed world, and we never even notice how much it affects us. Social media is all around us, from magazines to youtube videos. There are tons of pictures, videos, and comments that encourage the mindset that women have to be a size 2 and always look gorgeous. At least 30 million people of all ages and genders suffer from an eating disorder in the United States (Hudson). Social media has a very significant influence on women with these disorders.
From the time we’re kids to when we are grown adults, the environment that we’re used to being around affects how we dress, act, and feel. For example, if a young girl spends her time on a platform like Snapchat obsessing over how pretty she thinks her friends are, which would
…show more content…
Some say that people with eating disorders are just being dramatic, and trying to get attention. They say that if you want to eat, you can just eat. In some cases, thats true. There is no single cause of body dissatisfaction or disordered eating. But, research is saying that media does contribute. Other causes of eating disorders are irregular hormones, genetics, nutritional deficiencies, negative body image, poor self-esteem, dysfunctional family dynamic, careers that promote being thin and weight loss, such as ballet and modeling, sports, family and childhood traumas, peer pressure, and stress (Ekern). Unfortunately, the list goes on, and on. There are many causes of eating disorders, but social media is definitely one of them. Media has a huge impact on women with eating disorders and body image issues. Hopefully, someday soon, there will be a way to help these women, and we should start by stopping all of the hate and criticism …show more content…
"The Influence of Social Media on Adolescent Eating Disorders." Eating Disorder Hope. N.p., 24 Jan. 2016. Web. Dec. 2017.
Karges, Crystal. "The Influence of Social Media on Adolescent Eating Disorders." Eating Disorder Hope. N.p., 24 Jan. 2016. Web. Dec. 2017.
Knorr, Caroline. "How Girls Use Social Media to Build Up, Break down." CNN. Cable News Network, 12 Jan. 2017. Web. Dec. 2017.
Knorr, Caroline. "How Girls Use Social Media to Build Up, Break down Self-image." CNN. Cable News Network, 12 Jan. 2017. Web. Dec. 2017.
Lo, Danica. "How Does Social Media Impact Women's Body Image and Self-Esteem?" Glamour. Glamour Magazine, 12 Jan. 2016. Web. Dec. 2017.
Lo, Danica. "How Does Social Media Impact Women's Body Image and Self-Esteem?" Glamour. Glamour Magazine, 12 Jan. 2016. Web. Dec. 2017.
Cockrell 4
"Media, Body Image, and Eating Disorders." National Eating Disorders Association. N.p., 2016. Web. 0 Dec. 2017.
"Media, Body Image, and Eating Disorders." National Eating Disorders Association. N.p., 2016. Web. Dec. 2017.
Simmons, Rachel. "How Social Media Is a Toxic Mirror." Time. Time, 19 Aug. 2016. Web. Dec. 2017.
Simmons, Rachel. "How Social Media Is a Toxic Mirror." Time. Time, 19 Aug. 2017. Web. Dec.
Eating disorders are not caused by a single source, such as control, but are due to an accumulation of factors including genetics, upbringing, culture, and personality.
National Eating Disorder Association (2006). The media, body image, and eating disorders. Retrieved October 11, 2008, from http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org
O’Hara, Sarah K., and Katherine Clegg Smith. "Presentation of Eating Disorders in the News Media: What Are the Implications for Patient Diagnosis and Treatment?" Patient Education and Counseling 68.1 (2007): 43-51. Print.
To begin, social media has created unrealistic standards for young people, especially females. Being bombarded by pictures of females wearing bikinis or minimal clothing that exemplifies their “perfect” bodies, squatting an unimaginable amount of weight at a gym while being gawked at by the opposite sex or of supermodels posing with some of life’s most desirable things has created a standard that many young people feel they need to live up to. If this standard isn’t reached, then it is assumed that they themselves are not living up to the norms or the “standards” and then therefore, they are not beautiful. The article Culture, Beauty and Therapeutic Alliance discusses the way in which females are bombarded with media messages star...
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
Henderson, K., & Spettigue, W. (2004). Eating disorders and the role of the media. Journal of the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 13(1), Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2533817/
Foster, Michele. "Internet Marketing through Facebook: Influencing Body Image in Teens and Young Adults." Self Help Magazine Oct. (2008): Web. 23 Mar. 2011.
The media can impact people’s lives in many ways, whether it’s fashion, movies, literature, or hobbies. One of the impacts is how women view their bodies. Movie stars and models feel pressured to catch attention and to look good in order to have a good career in their respective field. People tend to judge how someone looks based on their body composition. The result of this “judgment” is that Hollywood is getting skinny. Since models and actresses serve as role models for people, people tend to want to look like them. The result of this seemingly harmless model of behavior is in an increase in eating disorders.
One of the main external factors in the development of an eating disorder is the media. The media objectifies both men and women throug...
“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.
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.
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.
Selfie-Loathing: Here’s Why Instagram Is Even More Depressing than Facebook. Slate Magazine. Retrieved from http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2013/07/instagram_and_self_esteem_why_the_photo_sharing_network_is_even_more_depressing.html
At pubescent ages, girls are most concerned with their appearance and fitting in with others (Clay, Vignoles, & Dittmar 452). The media teaches girls that, in order to fit in, they have to be skinny and attractive. Young girls will do anything to achieve this, and this often consists of taking an unhealthy route. Helen Champion and Adrian Furnham, the authors of the article “The Effect of the Media on Body Satisfaction in Adolescent Girls,” mention a similar magazine cover study that has a similar result. It has been proven several times that unnatural magazine covers cause a drop of self-esteem in young girls.
There are many reasons that can contribute to the cause of eating disorders. One of the main reasons seems to be the obsession over every little pound a person is wearing. Sometimes low self-esteem or depression from any number of causes can usher in the eating disorder. Other times compulsive exercising can help shed the pounds but leave the enthused unhealthy looking.