Social Media and Eating Disorders

Mass Media

Is a mode of communication that sends messages to large
audiences to obtain maximum profit.
Television
Internet
Magazines: health and fitness, beauty and fashion, and
entertainment
Video games
8-18 year olds are exposed to media 7.5 hours per day
Women's magazines have 10.5 more times diet fads than
male magazines

History of media
Body size has changed in the 20
th
century
There has been in an increase in thinness in models from 1950
and the 1990s.
Americans have been increasing in weight creating a gap
between the ideal weight and actual body size of women.
Media communicates that being thin and beautiful is desirable
and it will bring you success in life.
Eating Disorders
Bulimia nervosa
Anorexia nervosa
Atypical eating disorders
In the United States 20 million women and 10
million men suffer from an eating disorder
40-60% girls age 6-12 are concerned about their
body appearance


Anorexia Nervosa
An illness that leads a person to starve and
driven to over exercise
They may induce vomiting and misuse diuretics
and laxatives
Symptoms of depression, anxiety, moodiness,
loss of concentration, decrease in sex drive,
isolation and amenorrhea
It can lead to death from complications or
suicide

Bulimia Nervosa
Is closely related to anorexia and is a form
of strict dieting that can lead to binge
eating and purging as a means of weight
control
This illness is generally due to low self
esteem and childhood obesity
This may not be known for 5-10 years due
to changes in weight from binge eating
Atypical eating Disorders
Closely related to bulimia and
anorexia.
Weight tends to be above
threshold and may go
unnoticed.
Sensitive to body appearance,
shape and weight

Facts
Statistics
Complications associated with an
eating disorder
Bulimia: electrolyte imbalance due to laxative and diuretic
misuse.
Dental issues from self induced vomiting
Gastrointestinal issues: bloating, constipation, gastric rupture,
peptic ulcers
Anorexia: starvation induced hypothyroidism, dehydration,
weakness, dry hair and skin
Osteopenia and osteoporosis leading to an increase in
fractures and reduction in bone density.
Low birth weight in pregnancies
Sensitivity to cold, dizziness, sleeplessness, and amenorrhea.
Causes of Eating Disorders
Sociocultural reasons are repeated exposure to the thin stereotype and leads
to internalization.
Thoughts that appearance equals success.
Societal standards of being thin
Occur in areas of abundant amount of food, groceries and restaurants
Increasing advertisements on diet fads and diet foods
Genetic, cognitive and personality factors
Social aspects of life. Peers and family members


Characteristics that may lead to an
eating disorder
Body dissatisfaction is a major factor
Low self esteem
Perfectionism
Anxiety
Obesity
Early menses
High social class
Sexual abuse, previous dieters, teased when younger, result of
parenting
Social Factors contributing to eating disorders
Cultural pressures of being thin or masculine. People value others
appearance rather than personality.
Peer groups
Profession and sports that require a certain body image. Gymnastics,
ballet and wrestling.
Social media, exchanging of photos and common interests
Race and discrimination
High social class
Expectations of families: high achievement, perfectionism,
overprotective parents

Effects of media portrayed images
Research has shown that exposure to media portrayed images
led to a decrease in body satisfaction, negative emotions and
appearance anxiety. Appearance anxiety is higher with
individuals with lower self-esteem
Individuals with low self-esteem are vulnerable to the effects
of media.
Television watchers are more likely to be sedentary, can be
overweight, linked to obesity and lower self-esteem.
Fashion Magazines lead to internalization of thinness.
Distribution to eating disorders
Worldwide distribution

Ethnic origin


Sex


Social class


Age

Prevalence
Incidence (per 100,000 per year)

Secular change
Predominately Western societies

Mainly white people
Most female(about 90%)

Adolescents(some young adult)


Higher social class


0-7% in teenage girls

19 in females, 2 in males


Possible increase
Predominately Western societies

Mainly white people
Most female(uncertain proportion)

Young adults(some adolescents)


Even distribution


1-2%(in 16-35 year old females)

29 in females , 1 in males


Likely increase
Reference:Fairburn,C.G,&Harrison,P.J.
(2003).Eating Disorders.The
Lancet,361(9355),407-416
Interventions of mass media
Media literacy teaches people to think about different
media . Images are not always what they appear. They
are digitally enhanced to portray an unblemished body.
Selective use of media
Focus on nutrition and exercise
Develop a healthy self esteem in areas other than body
image
Positive affirmations not directed toward body image
Social activism and social marketing
Interventions of mass media
Eating disorders come upon a person for a variety of reasons.
It could be psychological, emotional, social and family issues.
Prevention needs to be through education in our communities
and schools. Speakers who have over come an eating disorder
can come speak at the schools and communities. For these
programs to be effective they need to include education on
how our culture tends to glorify thinness and develop
programs to boost ones self-esteem in areas that steer away
from physical appearance alone. Steer their focus on their
inner beauty.
Writing letters to companies that promote advertisement
focusing on being thin. Small things can make changes.
References
1. Stice, E., Schupak-Neuberg, E., Shaw, H. E., & Stein, R. I. (1994). Relation of media exposure to
eating disorder symptomatology: an examination of mediating mechanisms. Journal of abnormal
psychology, 103(4), 836.
2. Striegel-Moore, R. H., & Bulik, C. M. (2007). Risk factors for eating disorders. American
Psychologist, 62(3), 181.
3. Polivy, J., & Herman, C. P. (2004). Sociocultural idealization of thin female body shapes: An
introduction to the special issue on body image and eating disorders. Journal of Social and Clinical
Psychology, 23(1), 1-6.
4. Fairburn, C. G., & Harrison, P. J. (2003). Eating disorders. The Lancet, 361(9355), 407-416.
5. Tiggemann, M. (2003). Media exposure, body dissatisfaction and disordered eating: Television and
magazines are not the same!. European Eating Disorders Review, 11(5), 418-430.
6. Monroe, F., & Huron,G.(2005). Media-Portrayed idealized images, body shame, and appearance
anxiety. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 3Eating Disorders and Role of Media
7. Factor That May Contribute to Eating Disorder N.p., n.d. Web
8. Eating Disorders and Role of Media
Can Child Adolescence Psychiatr Rev . Feb 2004; 13(1):16-19
PMCID:2533817
Wendy Spettique, Katherine A. Henderson








Diana Ludwig
Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography
This is my second year at OIT
I am a junior