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The problem with eating disorders
The problem with eating disorders
The problem with eating disorders
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Strength in the Globalization of Eating Disorders The advent of the 2000s brought with it a new generation of youth unlike anything Western culture has seen before. In the beginning, no one noticed any change from the 90s to the early 2000s, and the societal purview seemed untouched. Kids could still be fat and cute simultaneously and no one questioned how such a thing was possible. Yet, in reality, the western culture had plans to cast about a plague that would make Old Testament devotees blush—or, at least according to essayist Susan Bordo, author of “The Globalization of Eating Disorders.” In her essay, Bordo approaches her audience with a grim scenario: humankind can only stop the spread of eating disorders until we become aware of its …show more content…
Bordo creates a harrowing argument in her essay. “The Globalization of Eating Disorders” shows its greatest strengths when supported by the essayist’s emotional appeals, personal observations, and statistical evidence. In her keenness to employ real facts and statistics, paired with her rhetoric, Bordo grants relevancy to her claim. Providing clarity on the recent development of eating disorders, Bordo shows her ability to argue as she voices her deep concern. Indeed, Bordo’s use of many of the components of a strong argument in her essay accomplishes its goal. Ultimately, Bordo’s selection provides its audience with enough reason to consider or reconsider their stances. Suddenly, the globalization of eating disorders has become global in a new way—in the awareness of men and women all around the …show more content…
“The Globalization of Eating Disorders.” The McGraw-Hill Reader. Muller, Gilbert H. 12th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2014. 639-642. Print. I consulted the UEG for a total of thirty minutes throughout the writing process of this essay and reviewed all sections within the booklet. USMAPS Essay Guidelines. West Point: Department of English. U.S. Military Academy. Preparatory School, 2014.
“Eating disorders are ‘about’: yes, control, and history, philosophy, society, personal strangeness, family fuck-ups, autoerotics, myth, mirrors, love and death and S&M, magazines and religion, the individual’s blindfolded stumble-walk through an ever-stranger world.” (Hornbacher, 4)
National Eating Disorder Association (2006). The media, body image, and eating disorders. Retrieved October 11, 2008, from http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org
Marya Hornbacher was only nine when she developed bulimia and fifteen years old when she developed anorexia. During the time period her autobiography Wasted was written, magazines were one of the most popular forms of media and entertainment for a teenager. In these magazines, there would be pages of ultra-skinny models in glamorous outfits strutting down runways seemingly happy. This inspired young girls to want to be exactly like those models since that is what society and the media portrayed as beauty to them. Hornbacher addressed the fact that she had no idea at the time that the behaviors she had developed were unhealthy, she saw it as normal because it was mainstream but now questions why these disorders were so prevalent and rhetorically
Research, 2016. Bordo implicated popular culture as having a serious negative role in how women of America view their bodies. These images have led to drastic increase change in life altering female disorders and eating. Not only does these images affect Americans but young men and women too which they should be fighting against it, not for
Society has always been in the mindset of a white cis male, racist and sexist. In the article “The Globalization of Eating Disorders”, by Susan Bordo, talks about how the media portrays women in an impossible light and how women of color are overlook in eating disorders. The article “Saving the Life That Is Your Own: The Importance of Models in the Artist’s Life” by Alice Walker, talks about how women of color are overlook and not taken seriously in literature and how people need good models in life to do and become great things. They both have a common topic of that women of color are often over looked in literature and media and if women of color were truly portrayed in society then girls of all ages could really benefit from it.
Soh, N., & Walter, G. (2013). Publications on cross-cultural aspects of eating disorders. Journal of Eating Disorders , 1(4), doi: 10.1186/2050-2974-1-4
Eating Disorders." Current Issues: Macmillian Social Science Library. Detroit: Gale, 2010. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 20 Oct. 2015.
The biological underpinnings are only part of anorexia the mechanics is careful not to dismiss the point of the studies to culture and psychological issues of and catalysts for eating disorders. (“Case”) The studies are put together. This teenage girl in Fijian caused bad eating disorders in just three years. Anne Becker showed us the introduction of a television into the population of Fijian.(“Case”) The media has contributed to eating disorders in America’s teens.
“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.
Anorexia and bulimia are the most abundant eating disorders. They can be traced back through history from France in the 19th century though they were thought to have originated earlier. (Giddens, 2014) Merry Miller, in her article about how culture and eating disorders
Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness; 24 million people of all ages and genders suffer from eating disorders and only 1 in 10 of those 24 million are treated (ANAD). Eating disorders do not discriminate; all ages, genders, ethnicities and races can be victim to this mental illness. It’s important to be aware of the impact eating disorders have on societies across the globe and how the media plays a role if we want to fight the source and promote prevention and/or rehabilitation. I’ve known many people in my life who have some sort of eating disorder, whether it’s anorexia(not eating enough), binge eating(eating large amounts of food rapidly), bulimia (throwing up their food) or just struggling with an unsatisfying self-image. Becoming aware of eating disorders and how they are developed is important to me because in a perfect world, I would like to see this illness become less common or diminished completely among those that I love and anyone else in today’s society. Eating disorders hit home for many people, including myself. Raising awareness may decrease the rate of eating disorders by informing the population of the harm this illness causes and hopefully promote prevention and/or rehabilitation. With the 3 theoretical approaches used by sociologists, Eating disorders can be understood which will better inform society on how to raise awareness, prevent this illness and help those who suffer from eating disorders.
Eating disorders have become very popular around the world; back then, and even now still. It varies from culture, to gender, to race, etc. But the question is, how do we put a stop to it? Susan Bordo is the author of a story passage The Globalization of Eating Disorders. She states that some of the reasons why eating disorders are a common "thing", is because of cultures, magazines, celebrities, the media, etc. Based on my knowledge and past experiences, I think this is a rational theory.
Shapiro, C. M. (2012). Eating disorders: Causes, diagnosis, and treatments [Ebrary version]. Retrieved from http://libproxy.utdallas.edu/login?url=http://site.ebrary.com/lib/utdallas/Doc?id=10683384&ppg=3
Our judgmental eyes could easily spot severe eating disorders like Anorexia or Bulimia Nervosa. However, can we pinpoint other less severe disordered eating and understand the calamity of its emotional dangers on people? Disordered eating is mostly common in young girls who are obsessed with weight, calories, diet and size. As young children, most of the girls grow up in a culture where being thin in sexy and being a little chubby or fat is a shame. As girls grow up to become teenagers, this idea is emphasized as they see their favorite female actors and singers with their “perfect” body. This problem is common in the United States, where 1 in 5 women struggle with an eating disorder or disordered eating. However, this idea seems to have increased in our Egyptian culture lately. The Egyptian Medical Association for the Study of Obesity estimated that “15 percent of young Egyptian children are obese--a notable increase from only 6 percent in 1990”. Young Egyptian females now either starve themselves or eat in an uncontrollable way to simply fill the void. Extreme thinness has become a social and cultural ideal, and women partially define themselves by how physically attractive they are. The problem is not only that beauty pressures lead to eating disorders, but also the reckless way our country and culture handles the problem.