Are people who suffer from eating disorders, victims of the media?

Question

E.g Those with Anorexia, Obesity - all through advertising products?

Answer 1

Several years a go there was a study done by Harvard Medical school. In 1998 TV reached Fiji, as they got their first Domestic TV Station on the Island. 38 months after it went on air a researcher called Becker studied the population, known for it's natural larger body size and a preference in both sexes to have a robust figure and found an increase in indicators of eating disorders. 74% of teenage girls felt they were too fat and 15% had vomited to control body weight. It was argued that Teenage girls particularly were using TV images as a cultural reference on how to look in a modern world. It was also suggested that TV in some instances was also leading to types of family dis function also linked with eating disorder.

The findings were still a little controversial at the time, and I didn't follow the outcome of the debate. However there did seem to be at least some evidence of the media having an effect on eating disorders.

Answer 2

Yes and no.

Anorexia [and other eating disorders] existed before the media bombarded people with images of stick skinny people. First and formost, anorexia is a disease that is about control and fear - fear of gaining weight, but not really fear of getting fat.

That said, it is clear that the media has helped the spread of anorexia. I would not call people suffering from anorexia victims of the media, persay, but it does not help 99% of the population's self-image.

So, no, I don't think people suffering from eating disorders are victims of the media - but I do think the media helps play into their disease.

Answer 3

Eating disorders are complex problems that do not solely come form one source. IIt is different for everyone. The media may contribute to the development of an eating disorder, but think about it. Is *everyone* who watches television or reads magazines suffering from an eating disorder? No. There are other factors that play major roles. Biology, social environment, personal conflicts, and upbringing all play into eating disorders.

I know that for me, personally, I started to restrict because I hated myself. I wanted to suffer. Later, I became bulimic. The eating disorder (at my thinner stages) helped me feel young, small, fragile. It had nothing to do with wanting to look pretty or model-like.

Answer 4

It might have a little influence, however, it is still up to the individual to make the decision to eat or not to eat. We must all look at ourselves and assess. There is no need to push things off onto the media. If you think that it might not be good for people to watch that stuff, encourage them to turn the TV off. I do think that the bigger victims are the people that think it is ok to make fun of eating disorders. We are all smart enough to step out of that type of thinking.

Answer 5

I'd say so. Definatly. I mean we all look at the gorgeous models and think "i wanna be like them" but at the same time, it's also other people. I mean I was with a guy last weekend and he said "you wouldn't be in my head if you were fat" and I had a go at him after i realised he was serious. And how many girls do you hear of that starve themselves because their boyfs claim they're fat? It makes you feel like ****. I know this affects men too... how they have to look and stuff but to be honest i've never met one that has been so badly affected. I agree though, the media has alot to be blaimed for.

Answer 6

yes to a certain extent. They obviously have an underlying psychological issue which appears in the form of an eating disorder but this, I feel, is exacerbated by the media

Answer 7

No. They are victims of their own train of thoughts.

The media may be a catalyst, but the individual has a choice as to whether or not to react.

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." - Eleanor Roosevelt

"You can bring a donkey to the river. But you can't force the donkey to drink from the river. - Anonymous

Answer 8

People still have free will and they decide to stop eating , throw up after etc, none of the adverts say this is what you must do.

Answer 9

I would say yes..mostly....there is so much pressure to be thin..thankfully I was never affected but then I have been lucky enough never to have been teased when I was a kid or been fat!

Answer 10

yes i think so even fat ppl or even ppl with the smalest bit of celulite on there legs are