(Image Source: http://newspaper.li/anorexia/)
In my previous posts I have touched upon the idea that the overediting in media has a negative effect, (such as eating disorders and self-esteem), on girls. Today I am going to give you information about the specific dangers of those effects.
Anorexia, one of the most common eating disorders, is a disease most often found in women that have a fear of gaining weight and refuse to eat, therefore becoming underweight and malnourished. While the eating disorder is psychological, social influences such as having the “perfect thin body” that is often advertised by the media can be extremely harmful. Dr. Kay from RCPsych Eating Disorders says, ““There is a growing body of research that shows the media plays a part in the development of eating disorder symptoms – particularly in adolescents and young people. Eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, are serious mental illnesses. Although biological and genetic factors play an important role in the development of these disorders, psychological and social factors are also significant. That’s why we are calling on the media to take greater responsibility for the messages it sends out.”
Here are some statistics:
- The body type portrayed in advertising as the ideal is possessed naturally by only 5% of American females.
- 47% of girls in 5th-12th grade reported wanting to lose weight because of magazine pictures.
- 69% of girls in 5th-12th grade reported that magazine pictures influenced their idea of a perfect body shape.
- 42% of 1st-3rd grade girls want to be thinner.
- 81% of 10 year olds are afraid of being fat.
(Statistics Source: http://www.anad.org/get-information/about-eating-disorders/eating-disorders-statistics/)
The effects of anorexia and eating disorders are serious. Common symptoms are cardiac arrest and electrolyte imbalances, which may lead to death. Around 50% of people with eating disorders are also depressed, so suicide is often seen among those with the disorder. Anorexia as well as any other eating disorder is very hard to recover from. Although medications and intensive therapy can be attempted, almost 20% of people with anorexia remain chronically ill.
In order to show women that eating disorders are unhealthy, it is necessary that we stop featuring unhealthy underweight women in the media, as they pose as role models for the “perfect body”.
Additional Sources: http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/press/pressreleases2010/editorialcode.aspx
http://www.medicinenet.com/anorexia_nervosa/article.htm
In my previous posts I have touched upon the idea that the overediting in media has a negative effect, (such as eating disorders and self-esteem), on girls. Today I am going to give you information about the specific dangers of those effects.
Anorexia, one of the most common eating disorders, is a disease most often found in women that have a fear of gaining weight and refuse to eat, therefore becoming underweight and malnourished. While the eating disorder is psychological, social influences such as having the “perfect thin body” that is often advertised by the media can be extremely harmful. Dr. Kay from RCPsych Eating Disorders says, ““There is a growing body of research that shows the media plays a part in the development of eating disorder symptoms – particularly in adolescents and young people. Eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, are serious mental illnesses. Although biological and genetic factors play an important role in the development of these disorders, psychological and social factors are also significant. That’s why we are calling on the media to take greater responsibility for the messages it sends out.”
Here are some statistics:
- The body type portrayed in advertising as the ideal is possessed naturally by only 5% of American females.
- 47% of girls in 5th-12th grade reported wanting to lose weight because of magazine pictures.
- 69% of girls in 5th-12th grade reported that magazine pictures influenced their idea of a perfect body shape.
- 42% of 1st-3rd grade girls want to be thinner.
- 81% of 10 year olds are afraid of being fat.
(Statistics Source: http://www.anad.org/get-information/about-eating-disorders/eating-disorders-statistics/)
The effects of anorexia and eating disorders are serious. Common symptoms are cardiac arrest and electrolyte imbalances, which may lead to death. Around 50% of people with eating disorders are also depressed, so suicide is often seen among those with the disorder. Anorexia as well as any other eating disorder is very hard to recover from. Although medications and intensive therapy can be attempted, almost 20% of people with anorexia remain chronically ill.
In order to show women that eating disorders are unhealthy, it is necessary that we stop featuring unhealthy underweight women in the media, as they pose as role models for the “perfect body”.
Additional Sources: http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/press/pressreleases2010/editorialcode.aspx
http://www.medicinenet.com/anorexia_nervosa/article.htm
(Next week’s post will be about underweight models in the fashion industry.)
(But if anyone wants to come bring me ice-cream and a Miu Miu mirrored tie that would probably make me feel better and I would also love you forever.)
?
See the ad campaign shoot here.
