Why is it that so many women feel bad about the way they look? Why do most American females, regardless of their age, think they are too fat? My paper presents how mass media and culture contribute to body image dissatisfaction, the drive for thinness, and the development of eating disorders.

We are constantly presented with images of perfect faces and bodies. As a result of this barrage of images, some people feel that they must change to fit these ideals. The need to please others can negatively affect how an individual sees themselves. For some people, the ability to conform to society’s expectations may become their only measure of self-esteem. One study found that people who were shown slides of thin models had lower self-evaluations than people who had seen average and oversized models, and girls reported in a Body Image Survey that “very thin” models made them feel insecure about themselves. (Mediascope Press 2000)

Body image pressures can develop at an early age. By age 9, many young girls are starting to show preoccupation with shape and weight. As a parent, and potentially a child’s most significant role model and influence in

Whether a person restricts food intake, binges and purges, abuses laxatives, or excessively exercises, these behaviors usually are symptoms and not the problem. Eating disorders often develop as a way of coping with emotional pain, conflicts related to separation, low self esteem, depression, stress or trauma.

Many of us have attempted to diet at one time or another, but how do you know when you have crossed the line and put yourself at risk of an eating disorder? Some of the people most at risk for developing eating disorders include adolescent or young adult females; individuals who work in fields that place high emphasis on being thin, such as modeling, acting, ballet or gymnastics; individuals with a previous history of being overweight and dieting behavior; individuals with family history of eating disorders, weight consciousness, alcoholism, obsessive-compulsive disorder or depression; individuals with low self-esteem, high achievement expectations, perfectionism, social insecurity or difficulty identifying and expressing emotions; and individuals with a history of physical, sexual or significant relational trauma.

Individuals plagued by anorexia are usually persistent in their pursuit for thinness. They often possess perfectionist characteristics and are usually high functioning. The anorexic views their ability to go without food as success in coping with emotional difficulties they are experiencing in their lives. Excessive family expectations and societal pressure for high performance may contribute. Low self esteem, extreme self-criticism, and depression may also contribute to the risk for developing anorexia. (Healthy Devil Online 2000)

Some topics in this essay:
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