Is the media to blame for anorexia in teens?

Question

We all hear of this "trend" growing at the moment that being skinny is a must. There are a lot of anorexic teenagers and it may be easy to see where they get there influence pro-anorexic websites, constant competition from their friends and school mates and the new scelebrity culture (extremely skinny celebs).

But is the media really to blame for young girls wanting to be super skinny and in the long run ending up with permanent health defects and even in some cases dying or is it the fault of celebrities or teens and children not being educated on the effects of self-starvation.

What do you think?

Answer 1

I don't think it's the media their only bringing this subject to light to stop it i think or make people notice how series this actually is, i think it is the skinny models and celebritys doing this.

Answer 2

hey!
I'm a 13 year old girl so I'm at that stage where i look at myself and think *my gosh,I'm ugly and fat i wish i was prettier* i admit i do that as do all the teenage girls i know BUT I'm quite mature for my age and dont agree with the anorexic thing.
i dont have any idols or any people i look up to,as a matter of fact there is no one in the media i would look at and think
*i want to be just like u when I'm older*
i thought older people were meant to set a good example so children would turn out to be caring,kind,nice people instead all that's shown is people with there ribs sticking out looking as if they were the walking dead (which they practically are)with bad attitude because there hairs a mess.
media should start thinking about what there doing to young minds and make ALOT of changes.
~get people who care about others than themselves
~no more (everythings about looks)
~it shouldn't matter how someone looks its who they are inside!
like the Brittany thing yes Brittany(spears) has some problems but people saying she was over weight and her first new performance was a mess they should be supporting her not putting her down!

i think anorexia does have alot to do with the media and the fact that looks seem to be the only thing that's important.

<3 sarah x

Answer 3

.True anorexia is not just a need to be thin but a need to have control.For sufferers the only thing they can control in their lives is their food intake.This can happen as a result of extremely low self esteem often following a life changing trauma.Anorexia is a symptom of depression and anxiety not the cause of,although you never have one without the other.Yes i agree to point that it can be influenced by images in the media but even without them anorexia would still exist.It cannot be blamed totally on celebrities or a lack of education as it is the individuals ability to be resilient when faced with adversity that can determine if they become anorexic or not.It is a far more complex issue than is portrayed in the media and requires a cognitive approach for effective recovery.

Answer 4

I think that the media has a huge impact on vulnerable teenagers who go on to develop anorexia or other eating disorders. The constant bombardment of super skinny models on the front pages of magazines is hard to ignore. There are many other factors that contribute to eating disorders such as personality traits, life events etc and anorexia could also be genetically based. I think it is a combintation of many events not just the media, but certainly the media have a responsibility to portray a healthy image as being the norm.

Answer 5

Yes I think the media still plays a large part in this problem - plus all the scrawny models seen on any cat-walk. Society in general has much to answer for I'm afraid. Many of these children just want to fit in and be liked/popular, although some have serious psychological and developmental problems - its very sad.

Answer 6

My anorexia wasnt caused by TV,,More less a x husband drilling me to be thinner and I only weighed 126 at the time.Im 5'8.2 strokes later,kidney failure,bowels are screwed up,hairloss,arthritis,etc.But the media does not help.It shows very thin gals and all the commercials are for usally a size 2-3 and when over a size 7 they say its for a full size woman.Im 113 now and recovering.I almost died at 67 pounds.Media should change their preseption on what is beautiful.Ittook a long time to gain to 113.Im steady getting better.But when I se the dang TV role models it does make me want to scream.

Answer 7

No. Its the lack of positive role models and exercise at home and in schools.

It is the job of parents and schools to properly educate young people. They should be making sure that children eat and exercise properly. It isn't the responsibility of the media, that's a cop out.

The media is to blame for the promotion of drug abuse, and the government ought to put a stop to it. Many celebrities have lost weight through drug abuse and try to make it fashionable as part of their denial process.

Answer 8

No, Anorexia Nervosa is a disease caused by excess levels of the hormone, seratonin. This triggers anxiety and makes people with eating disorders have an obsession to achieve what they believe is perfection, even though it's emaciation.
While the media makes a contribution, it is not actually a causal element to Anorexia. Anorexia is a recognized mental illness. Eating disorders can be traced back to the 1600's, it is not a new thing.

Answer 9

i don't think media is really to blame unless it effected everybody equally which it doesn't therefore in those that do become anorexic must have something wrong with them to be affected in this way (tv cannot cultivate a mental illness any more than it could turn people into vegetarians if they had a show about it )

Answer 10

The Media has a heck of a lot to answer for over diet, they use zero size models in their magazine fashion shoots, they only ever show clothes that they assume only look good on stick insects, on TV they show stick thin girls prancing up and down on catwalks, young girls want to be like their hero's so of course they are going to do silly things to get that thin themselves, the media has to take some of the responsibility themselves.