A 34-year-old member asked:
Would eating disorders exist if there was no mass media?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
Dr. Emma Rishtonanswered
Clinical Psychology 15 years experience
It'a a trigger: While there is extreme pressure to look a certain way due to mass media, eating disorders have much deeper psychological origins. Many times eating disorders have to do with a fundamental need for control. Your question is a good one though, mass media is probably one of the main triggers that aid in the development of eating disorders.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Nikel Rogers-woodanswered
Clinical Psychology 15 years experience
A challenging ?: If we dig back in the research, we see that developing countries have much lower incidences of disordered eating than do heavily industrialized nations. Not only that, but when there is an influx of mass media from western countries, we tend to see the rates of eating disorders rising. There is more to the development of an eating disorder than exposure to mass media, but media plays a role.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Similar questions
A 21-year-old member asked:
How does the media contribute to eating disorders?
3 doctor answers • 11 doctors weighed in
Dr. Donald Hazlettanswered
Psychiatry 56 years experience
Several ways, + & -: Endless cooking shows & food commercials glorifying foods that are just not healthy, all the while saying they are. Diet & weight reduction commercials that are misleading, touting eat anything you want, take this, use this and lose weight fast. Doctored photos of obesity to gorgeous and sexy, in unrealistic time, doesn't help. Myriad ads of women (and men) silently screaming beautiful is thin.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Aug 3, 2016
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