Is the media to blame for eating disorders?

Question

"Okay, so we all want to hear how Calvin Klein is the culprit and that the emaciated waif look has caused women to tale-spin into the world of Eating Disorders. While the images of child-like women has obviously contributed to an increased obsession to be thin, and we can't deny the media influence on eating disorders, there's a lot more to it than that. With approximately six billion people in the world, and a mere ten million of them suffering with some type of disordered eating (.18% of the overall population -- less than a ¼ of 1%), the media obviously doesn't cause everyone to develop Anorexia, Bulimia or Compulsive Overeating. (Current statistics indicated that approximately one in every one hundred teenage girls may develop an Eating Disorder)." My question is -

What really causes eating disorders, and why is it mainly to almost exclusively women who have these disorders?

Answer 1

I blame the rise of feminism. Women live in a world where they don't compete with just men, but with each other and the image of an all round superwoman. This lead to a society where young women in particular feel that success is hinged on good looks or a perfect body and society is just playing along.

Answer 2

an eating disorder can be caused by any thing alot of the time its trying to get control over something. it can also numb you so it like a drug or something you dont have to worry or think about anything other then food, weight.....

Answer 3

Pitso this is a brilliant question. Just last week a group of mothers and myself (we are all mothers with daughters ranging from 7 to 11) were discussing this very topic. I think the media and us mothers are to blame. We are forever standing in front of the mirrors looking at our selves and saying "I am fat, or I picked weight up, or do not eat that, that makes you fat, or I am today on a diet, or did you see how much weight X picked up after her overseas trip, or I better start running, because I am now really fat, or these pants makes me look fat". Meant time the little ears are listening and learning from us, their peers. The one mother was so shocked because her 7 year old asked her if she thinks she looks fat! so from now on we decided to discuss our "weight" in private. It is really scary, even my own 10 year old, that looks like a puppy with long legs and big feet, not an ounce of fat  asked me if I think she is fat!! I had such a shock. I also think the modeling agencies are to blame, just look at the fashion channels......most of those models are ridiculously thin, 1 80 cm tall and weighs 50 kg.....Also there are a perception amongst women and girls that men like  very thin girls, I think it is all these factors that contribute to eating disorders.

Answer 4

My, you really do have an obsession with the big, bad media, don't you? Why not blame Aids and stupidity on the media, while you're at it?