Essay on An Analysis of the Effects of Eating Disorders...

Body perception plays a major role in the self-concept that we create. Based on this view establishes our self-esteem, and many western civilizations are subjugated to an unrealistic image that their society conveys. Many young Americans cope with this â€Å"perfect† image by developing eating disorders. Although eating disorders can affect everyone the most common stereotype is young American women. Evidence shows that eleven million women and one million men have developed an eating disorder (Stephens et al). The social pressure to conform to a certain standard mainly affects girls, due to gender socialization and the objective theory. Eating disorders consisting of anorexia nervosa and bulimia are the result of a society that has underlying†¦show more content†¦Now more than ever restrictive diets or eating less, is a rationalization to a healthy lifestyle and not considered a deviation (Arnaiz). Eating disorders create social issues ranging from family dysfuncti on, physical harm, and mental harm. The gender socialization theory expresses the key importance body shape is to women. This is shown through cultural ideal thinness, as depicted through underweight models. Our society views slim bodies as beautiful and worthy, and is compared drastically to the image of overweight individuals who are regarded as offensive or even disgusting. This proves that women are evaluated through self-concept or self-image. On the other hand, men are more viewed for their accomplishments and success(Mintz). The prevalence of eating disorders in the United States is continually rising due to dissatisfaction with body image that pervades our Western culture. Women are reduced to physical attributes instead of achievements, and it provides extensive pressure to appear attractive. The objectification of women to such an extent shows her only relevance as physical by placing high demands for her to appear thin, because thinness is perceived as beautiful. Since such unrealistic demands are being sought studies show that 64% of undergraduate women haveShow MoreRelatedBody Image : Breaking The Stereotypes And Standards947 Words   |  4 Pagesthis type of peer-pressure. The effects of trying to achieve the ideal body type can be detrimental to ones self-esteem and health. Negative body image can cause severe medical conditions such as eating disorders. Amanda J. Holmstrom claims, â€Å"One prominent theory is that the media’s constant depiction of extremely thin women leads women to believe they should try to meet this ideal† (The Effects of the Media on Body Image: A Meta-Analysis 196). Some eating disorders include anorexia nervosa and bulimiaRead MoreEssay on The Media Influence on Body Image925 Words   |  4 Pagesfoundations for examining the relationship between media and body image ( Holmstrom, 2004). Here I review the theory that has been used by researcher in the area. Bandura’s Social cognitive theory (1994) assumed that â€Å"people learn and model the behaviors of attractive others†. The supporters of this theory suggest that young women find slim models in the media attractive and try to imitate them through dieting which leads them to eating disorders. Body image refers to a person’s unique perceptionRead MoreThe Effects Of Social Media On Young People1304 Words   |  6 PagesIs Social media responsible for the increase in Mental Health issues in young people? The rates of mental health issues in teenagers and young people is increasing, with 20% of the young people in the United States suffering from a mental disorder in their lifetime (Traci Pederson, 2010, Psych Central). This increase must have stemmed from something recent and modern, which many psychologists believe may be the large increase in use of social media, for example Facebook, which has around 1.2 billionRead MoreSocial Medi A Major Impact On The World Today1447 Words   |  6 Pages Social media continues to have a major impact on the world today. From MySpace to Facebook, there is no denying the inevitable continued growth of social media over the decade. Even though the main purpose of social media may be to share your thoughts, opinions and events with your friends there are still evident drawbacks. As I was growing up through high school, social media just began to grow and become extremely popular. If you did not have a Facebook or twitter account you would be kept o utRead MoreEssay about Movie Icons1614 Words   |  7 Pagesachieve the thin-ideal. This influence by mass-media affects just about anyone including males and females, adults, adolescents, and children. The exposure to mass media’s depiction of the thin-ideal body may be linked to body image disturbance in women. Researchers Grabe, Hyde, and Ward (2008) conducted a meta-analysis which examined experimental and correlational studies focusing on media exposure’s relationship with women’s body dissatisfaction, eating behavior, and internalization of the thin idealRead MoreObesity And The Mass Media Essay935 Words   |  4 Pagesyou like to know about the topic so that you can resolve a problem, an issue or unknown? I am particularly interested in the contributors to eating disorder, for instance, the relationship between eating disorders to bullying, the media, social environments, and so forth. D. What is your topic about? The research topic is about bulimia and the mass media. The topic will relate to the mental health of female adolescents. There is no set geographic location nor would timeframe for the literatureRead MoreMedia s Impact On Media Consumption Essay1729 Words   |  7 Pagesaccess an infinite amount of resources on the internet, 24 hours a day 7 days a week (XXXX). The rapid technological advancements has shifted the consumption of media from television, magazines and billboards to online digital media channels accessed via mobile devices, creating a ‘bedroom culture’ (Sumner, 2016) for many. The shift in media consumption has particularly been induced by the emergence of Social Networking Sites as well as other online platforms, which have become an integral part ofRead MoreDoes the Media Influence Young Womens Body Image in Ireland884 Words   |  4 PagesDoes the media influence young women’s body image in Ireland? The department of Health estimates that 200,000 people are affected by eating disorders every year in Ireland of which 80 people die as a result (www.dofc.ie). In a study on Irish girls 27.2% were found to exhibit clinical levels of bulimia, with 71.4% of Irish adolescents feel adversely affected by media portrayal of body weight and shape (www.onlinelibrary.wiley.com). Self-image was the number one factor that affects the mental healthRead MoreThe impact of medias representation of ideal body size on attitudes towards own body image952 Words   |  4 Pagesthat the Medias overwhelming representation of thinness has a large contributing factor towards young women’s attitudes of their own body weight dissatisfaction (Jacobi Cash‚ 1994). This dissatisfaction stems from discrepancies between the accepted standard of female body image repeatedly shown in today’s media and their own bodies leading to the formation of attitudes that their own weight is not adequate. For example, a meta-analysis comparing the results of 25 studies that presented media imagesRead MoreSocial Media Has a Negative Effect on Body Image and Self Esteem1202 Words   |  5 Pages Social media has become one of the most popular sources of communication for the upcoming generation. For young people growing up in today’s society, social media outlets such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter have provided pictures and news that have become the first thing that their eyes see in the morning and the last thing that they see before bed. These pictures have provided unrealistic standards as to what is considered beautiful in today’s society. As young people refer to these images