Why is this the media obsessed with eating disorders when there is much more of a threat with obesity?

Answer 1

Cause in the United States the media is obsessed with celebrity and what is cool. Basically its cool to have an eating disorder and not cool to be obese. (according to the media)

Answer 2

Doesn't it strike you as ironic that the media influences body image, then attacks those who try to live up to the idea the media created?

A few points to consider:

First, obesity is often a symptom of an eating disorder.

Second, obesity is usually not going to kill you as quickly as anorexia and bulimia can.

Third, I'm not convinced the health risks are worse for the obese. I know a lot of fat people who have no serious health problems, but the three anorectic and bullimic people I know have all been hospitalized and have come close to dying.

Fourth, trendy people tend to turn up with bulimia or anorexia and those are the people the media cares about.

Fifth, the media created many cases of bulimia and anorexia by making people feel that they have to live up to unrealistic standards of thinness as the modern definition of beauty. Emaciated models in women's magazines and in movies make people (women especially) think that's how people are supposed to look- it's not.

Answer 3

The threat of the common eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia is much greater than that of obesity. I would actually ask why the media is so obsessed with obesity when anorexia and bulimia are so much more serious.

Answer 4

Some would argue that obesity is a eating disorder.

Answer 5

Overeating technically can be an eating disorder... and to be honest I hear more on the news about overweight children than I do about anorexia or bulimia.