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Media Watch
Eating disorders are complex conditions that arise from a variety of factors, including physical, psychological, interpersonal, and social issues. Media images help to shape our cultural definitions of beauty and attractiveness and are often acknowledged as being among the factors that contribute to the rise of eating disorders by helping to create a context within which people learn to place a value on the size and shape of their bodies.
Encouraging the media to present more diverse and real images of people with more positive messages about health and self-esteem many not eliminate eating disorders entirely. It would, however, help reduce the pressures that many feel to make their bodies conform to unrealistic ideals, and, in the process, reduce feelings of body dissatisfaction and ultimately decrease the potential for eating disorders.
It is important for all of us to become critical viewers of the media. Below are some links that can help in increasing your media literacy as it relates to eating disorders:
- About-Face: Body Image, Media, Eating Disorders, and More
- America the Beautiful — A Film by Darryl Roberts
- Media’s Effect on Girls: Body Image and Gender Identity
- NEDA (National Eating Disorders Association) Media Watchdog
- Perfect Illusions: Eating Disorders and the Family
- Reflections: Body Image Program
- Something Fishy: Media Influence on Eating Disorders