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The Impact Of Social Media On Eating Disorders

1257 Words6 Pages

Social media impacts the lives of many daily, and many believe that is it taking over the ability to socialize in person as well as how the perspective used in viewing ourselves in the mirror. Websites like Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, et cetera. contain sub-pages that promote weight loss. However, some take this idea to the extreme like pro-anorexia and pro-bulimia sites, which are promotional websites that encourage being thin to an unhealthy extent. Social media is one of the most impacting reasons for eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia. Anorexia is a medical condition with the lack or loss of appetite for food and bulimia is an emotional disorder involving distortion of the body image and an obsessive desire to lose weight …show more content…

Studies provide strong evidence that media images portraying the thin ideal body contribute to body dissatisfaction. “Television advertising and more (such as shows and movies aired) can send young girls (and boys) the wrong message about what is a healthy and normal body weight” (Mascarelli). Northern American television portrays very little diversity in many shows and movies. Those who are slim are portrayed most of the time as the popular kids as well as fit boys being jocks. Television sets stereotypes and misguiding body standards as proven when “girls in Fiji became more weight-conscious since being exposed to North American television shows” (Mascarelli). Media has driven the public’s perception of the ideal body since the early twentieth century (Ballaro). This shows being introduced to the media has a great effect on the lives of many. If the girls in Fiji genetically carried a trait which revealed a consciousness to their appearance, the media would have had no effect for they would already be battling with themselves. Media does not only impact through television but deeper in social media and on the internet. Websites like Ana’s Sanctuary and Go Pro: Ana Lives are pro-ana and pro-mia sites that promote the eating disorders anorexia and bulimia to achieve an extreme thinness which is seen as the most beautiful. These websites commandments or rules to live by are If you are not thin you are not attractive You can never be too thin Being thin and not eating are signs of true willpower and

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