How is social media a signifigant factor in the development of eating disorders?

[fitch]

[mrzebra]

It is a significant factor in the development of eating disorders since all models are portrayed as skinny, so skinny. Such portrayals, especially one who is consider a prime example or what a woman should be like (model), then it puts stress on other woman to look that skinny. Thus, they may begin to obsess and eventually it will harm how they eat.

[Jody]

Thinspo and Facebook are linked to eating disordders.

A study from the Center for Eating Disorders in Maryland surveyed 600 Facebook users age 16-40. More than half said that Facebook makes them more self-conscious about heir bodies and weight. Men had some of the most negative feelings.

"People are now constantly aware of their appearance, Thanks to Facebook" and "Facebook is an influential factor in developing severe eating disorders" said Steven Crawford, associate director at the center, "A common reaction is, 'I need to be thinner' and that kind of thinking can lead to hazardous dieting."

Facebook users, especiall celebrities, are concerned every time they go out that their photo will show up on the network. Facebook is fueling a "camera ready" mentality, People look at photos before an upcoming high school reunion and decide not to go, why? because they think they don't look good enough. Crawford suggest if you can't stop making negative comparisons between yourself and others, log off.

A government report from ncbi.nlm.nih.gov states: "When one is treating patients who are afraid to eat and afraid of becoming overweight, it is difficult not to feel hostile towards the media, and to blame them for both causing and maintaining our patients' eating disorders..."

Naomi Wolf (1990) maintains that our culture disempowers women by holding them prisoner to an unattainable beauty ideal. The multi billion dollar beauty industry depends on a strong emphasis on the value of beauty and appearances for women, because this supports a consumption-based culture in which the answer for any problem can be achieved by purchasing advertised products for improving one's appearance.

For more on the media and eating disorders follow the links below.