Eating disorders, self-image, and the female body in modern society

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Eating disorders, self-image, and the female body in modern society

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Eating disorders, anorexia, bulimia, fashion magazines, the fashion industry, societies' standards, Barbie doll, the female body

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Abstract

In today's society, looks are everything. The female body is used in various ways, whether by the media or advertisers trying to sell a product. With such importance placed on how a female looks, it is not surprising that many young women today are suffering from low self esteem and body image issues. It is unfortunate that due to the pressure the media is putting on females today, anorexia and bulimia are becoming more of a pressing issue. Women today are more concerned with the way that society perceives them, as opposed to actually being healthy and feeling their best.

The media's effect on women and their daily activities
Women affected by the consequences of the media's idea of beauty
Family and friends in determining the body image and perception
Anorexia, more than a psychiatric disorder
Hollywood, also responsible for the increase of eating disorders
An interpersonal attraction to thin media personalities
The idea of control, an important aspect of the illness
Diagnosis, treatment and education

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[...] Dept. of Health and Human Services Apr Hendricks, Jennifer. Slim to None. New York: McGraw-Hill 1-256. Henry, Lori. "Gisele Bundchen on Anorexia." Suite Jan Apr Kim Leong, Sandra. "How The Media Influences Eating Disorders." EzineArticles 03 December April Plotnik, Rod. Introduction to Psychology. San Diego. [...]

[...] One out of every ten people who suffer from an eating disorder eventually dies because of the damage to the body that the eating disorder causes” (Kim Leong). The disease is not merely physical, it is also psychological, and therefore it has to be treated directly, both ways. Since we as a society have recognized the dangers that anorexia and other eating disorders bring, there has been a public outcry for a better image in our magazines, journals, and entertainment. [...]

[...] Some think the billboard campaign will be good for awareness while others worry it will simply create another unhealthy role model” (Williams). Another step that was taken recently to try to curb the increasing number of cases of eating disorders is the recreation of the Barbie doll. Most little girls play with these toys, looking at it as a role model and the ideal of beauty. Until recently, these dolls were ridiculously disproportionate, so far that if the doll were a real woman she would be anorexic and unhealthy. [...]

[...] Anorexia typically “occurs in children who are compulsive, conforming, tense, sensitive and ambitious, with difficult temperaments” (Plotnik 353). Anorexia has usually develops after a difficult experience, such as the onset of puberty or going to college. Anorexia is also increasingly difficult to treat, because drugs have been of limited use. Treatment for people with anorexia usually entails in- hospital treatment, which focuses on encouraging weight gain and changing the perception of body image, a very difficult and complicated thing to attempt to achieve. [...]

[...] According to many, the fashion industry is not the only one responsible for the unrealistic body image imposed on young females in society. Hollywood also bears a good portion of responsibility for the increasing trend of eating disorders that have affected our nation. The women in television and movies today have demonstrated that ‘thin is sexy' and the ‘pretty girl will always land her man.' According to a study done by Kristen Harrison, exposure to media is not the only factor involved in being influenced by the media. [...]

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