Eating Disorders
New found rise in the number of patient's with disorders
Mass Media's Unrealistic Expectations
With all the newest technology and ways of communication, the media is able to spread the latest gossip and most desirable trends at the speed of light across the globe. People follow these feeds with as much intensity as a cat chasing a laser beam. The media uses this to it's advantage, planting these body images in everyone's mind as to what looks good, and what doesn't. Men must be tall and muscular, with clear skin and shiny teeth. While women must have curves, skinny waist, thigh gaps, toned legs, and no jiggling fat whatsoever. Statistics show not only are women becoming susceptible to these disorders, but there have been a rise in male patients, and patients younger than 12.
Ideal Male Body Image
Ideal Female Body Image
It is argued that these shows induce low self-esteem in women who try so hard to have these body shapes, but cannot seem to reach that level of "perfection." It can not be said that the viewing of these shows causes eating disorders, but this is just a prime example of the type of "model women" society encourages females to look like. Of course, not every girl is going to grow to be six-foot, and be able to possibly maintain the diet and exercise that VS Models must endure to be at the spot they have earned.
It has been found that .9% of women will struggle with anorexia in their lifetime, 1.5% of women will struggle with bulimia in their lifetime, and 3.5% of women will struggle with binge eating (Ekern). These percentages seem small, but they are taken from the entire population of the world. This estimates into the millions, and the numbers continue to grow as society continues to make anyone who doesn't have the right "look" feel unimportant, and worthless.
Media Forming Insecurities
Boys now represent about 5 to 10 percent of those with eating disorders, although some research suggests that number may be even higher, said Lisa Lilenfeld, incoming president of the Eating Disorders Coalition for Research, Policy and Action in Washington, D.C. (Goodwin)"
Men with eating disorders are less likely to get treatment because these disorders have been stereotyped as being for "females only." Although there are many more cases of females with eating disorders, males feel the same insecurities. The media has formed this new idea of what men and women should push themselves to look like, and all of society can agree it is appealing, but the mental distress it brings into peoples' lives to achieve this "goal" has taken a tole on many lives. Girls and boys are now facing disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating due to the stress of being "imperfect".
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