It is much more complicated than one would think...
Environment and Society
There are two kinds of environments that are suggested to be related with the etymology of anorexia: one that gives much importance to physical appearance and a society/ environment which connects thinness to being successful and having achievements. This could possibly explain why anorexia is prevalent in Western society; both of these environments are present. The increase of anorexia seen in males is attributed to media images of males suggesting that they should be fit and skinny.
Morrisey, Beth. "Eating Disorders and Socio-Cultural Factors." Eating Disorder Expert. N.p., 28 Oct. 2012. Web. 25 Apr. 2013. <http://www.eatingdisorderexpert.co.uk/eatingdisordersandsocioculturalfactors.html>.
Media and Perception Stats
"Eating Disorders Statistics." National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Apr. 2013. <http://www.anad.org/get-information/about-eating-disorders/eating-disorders-statistics/>.
Western Society and More
A life event that induces stressThe Western society and culture expose various types of media that associate being thing with being beautiful to girls and, to a lesser extent, boys. Magazines and social Medias focus on body imperfections such as when celebrities gain weight or show cellulite, creating the perception that not being skinny is not beautiful. These messages that media send are constantly filtered into its audience and create this perception in their minds.
Some other factors that are involved in anorexia
"Anorexia Nervosa - Causes ." NHS Choices. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Apr. 2013. <http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Anorexia-nervosa/Pages/Causes.aspx>.
Studies and Media
The results of a study in Fiji show evidence that support the hypothesis that media affects the development of being dissatisfied with one’s body and also eating disorder symptomology (Becker, Burwell, Herzog, Hamburg, Gilman 2002). Before Fiji was thought to be a “media-naïve society” with not much influence from the Western society’s media influence (Spettigue, Henderson). The attitudes and behaviors were observed in teenage girls before and after the expose of regional television. The results suggested that once they had been exposed to the television, there was a significant increase in behaviors and attitudes that relate to eating disorders.
Various other studies have been conducted in order to better understand the relationship between body dissatisfaction and disordered eating. Researchers exposed images of thin models from fashion magazines to young women and before and after the exposure of the images, measured “body satisfaction, drive for thinness, eating pathology mood, and self-esteem” (Martin & Kennedy, 1993; Pinhas, Toner, Ali, Garfinkel, & Stuckless, 1999; Stice & Shaw, 1994) (Spettigue, Henderson). The results of Pinhas et al. 1999 and Stice & Shaw 1994 of these type of controlled experimental studies have been combined with other studies that show that women exposed to thin women in media have an increase in body dissatisfaction and emotional distress. Champion & Furnham 1999 and Martin & Kennedy 1993 found no direct effect in their results.
Spettigue, Wendy, and Katherine A. Henderson, Ph.D. "Eating Disorders and the Role of Media." PMC. N.p., Feb. 2004. Web. Apr. 2013. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2533817/>.
Photo by Victoria's Secret.
There are two kinds of environments that are suggested to be related with the etymology of anorexia: one that gives much importance to physical appearance and a society/ environment which connects thinness to being successful and having achievements. This could possibly explain why anorexia is prevalent in Western society; both of these environments are present. The increase of anorexia seen in males is attributed to media images of males suggesting that they should be fit and skinny.
Morrisey, Beth. "Eating Disorders and Socio-Cultural Factors." Eating Disorder Expert. N.p., 28 Oct. 2012. Web. 25 Apr. 2013. <http://www.eatingdisorderexpert.co.uk/eatingdisordersandsocioculturalfactors.html>.
Media and Perception Stats
- Due to images that are seen in magazines, 47% of girls in the 5th and 12th grade, want to lose weight.
- 69% of girls have reported that magazines influence their perception of what a perfect body is in grade 5th-12th
- 42% of girls want to be skinnier in grades 1st-3rd (Collins 1991)
- 81% of girls are afraid of being fat that are 10 years old (Mellin et al. 1991)
"Eating Disorders Statistics." National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Apr. 2013. <http://www.anad.org/get-information/about-eating-disorders/eating-disorders-statistics/>.
Western Society and More
A life event that induces stressThe Western society and culture expose various types of media that associate being thing with being beautiful to girls and, to a lesser extent, boys. Magazines and social Medias focus on body imperfections such as when celebrities gain weight or show cellulite, creating the perception that not being skinny is not beautiful. These messages that media send are constantly filtered into its audience and create this perception in their minds.
Some other factors that are involved in anorexia
- A life event that induces stress
- Grief of mourning
- Pressure or stress that is a result of school
- Sexual or physical abuse
"Anorexia Nervosa - Causes ." NHS Choices. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Apr. 2013. <http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Anorexia-nervosa/Pages/Causes.aspx>.
Studies and Media
The results of a study in Fiji show evidence that support the hypothesis that media affects the development of being dissatisfied with one’s body and also eating disorder symptomology (Becker, Burwell, Herzog, Hamburg, Gilman 2002). Before Fiji was thought to be a “media-naïve society” with not much influence from the Western society’s media influence (Spettigue, Henderson). The attitudes and behaviors were observed in teenage girls before and after the expose of regional television. The results suggested that once they had been exposed to the television, there was a significant increase in behaviors and attitudes that relate to eating disorders.
Various other studies have been conducted in order to better understand the relationship between body dissatisfaction and disordered eating. Researchers exposed images of thin models from fashion magazines to young women and before and after the exposure of the images, measured “body satisfaction, drive for thinness, eating pathology mood, and self-esteem” (Martin & Kennedy, 1993; Pinhas, Toner, Ali, Garfinkel, & Stuckless, 1999; Stice & Shaw, 1994) (Spettigue, Henderson). The results of Pinhas et al. 1999 and Stice & Shaw 1994 of these type of controlled experimental studies have been combined with other studies that show that women exposed to thin women in media have an increase in body dissatisfaction and emotional distress. Champion & Furnham 1999 and Martin & Kennedy 1993 found no direct effect in their results.
Spettigue, Wendy, and Katherine A. Henderson, Ph.D. "Eating Disorders and the Role of Media." PMC. N.p., Feb. 2004. Web. Apr. 2013. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2533817/>.
Photo by Victoria's Secret.