Eating Disorders And The Media
What Is Media Influence On Eating Disorders?

Eating disorders and the media are usually at odds because more often than not, we see photos of anorexic people that are somehow glamorized and portrayed as the ideal beauty. Does the media influence eating disorders?

What is it about the media that makes females succumb to unrealistic and dangerous pressure towards thinness? Some would even go so far as to argue that media influence is the sole cause of eating disorders.

Obviously that is not completely true, but eating disorders and the media will probably always be in conflict. Near constant images of anorexic people or models, or other girls with anorexia certainly plays a role. This is known to be one of the main anorexia triggers in a young person's life.

It would be far too simplistic to blame the presence of thin role models, diet products and weight loss clinics alone.

The fact that that we live in a society that is obsessed with thinness, perfection and achievement is enough to stress out and put pressure on those of us who suffer from anorexia.

Eating Disorders And The Media - Portrayal Of The Ideal Body Image

The image you see here is just one reason why eating disorders and the media create such conflict.

This anorexic photo is supposedly showing you the picture of the ideal body image - perfectly defined but small muscles, along with larger breasts.

Bottom line though? It's still an emaciated figure.

I happen to think that it's the promises and insidious messages attached to the current ideal of beauty that have the most profound effect on the pursuit of thinness and perfection.

For example, mass advertising 'promises' that low weight and svelte shapes will make you happier, healthier, more popular, more successful and more confident.

Anorexia And The Media - Media Influences On Eating Disorders

In treatment for anorexia nervosa, we were asked to look at pictures of women with anorexia in the media. These were images taken from various magazines and advertisements.

We had to share our perceptions of the underlying messages for that picture or ad, and here are a few of the most common responses:

• "You have to be perfect to be beautiful" - perfect skin, perfectly thin, perfectly shaped legs, etc.


• "Being thin gives you power" - socially and professionally


• "It's not the whole body that's important" - start focusing on your abs or buttocks or legs and correct the flaws


• "Women's bodies are an object of pleasure for men. We don't own our bodies".


• "Don't appear as if you've aged... you'll be written off and ignored."

These responses outline the messages conveyed about eating disorders by the media. It's these messages that girls and women (and possibly some men) pick up about their bodies that perpetuates anorexia or other eating disorders.

The media plays such a huge role in our every day lives that it's nearly impossible to get away from it.

The irony is that the pressures to be thin only drive the victim to become more defiant where weight loss is concerned. It basically makes eating disorders both a result and a protest against anorexia images (or comments) in the media.

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