Effects of Media on Self

The Effects of Media on our Self- Perception of Body Image

      It was fashionable to be fat throughout most of history. Obesity was attractive because it was considered to be a sign of wealth. Those who could obtain enough food to keep themselves and their family well fed were people with money. However, in the past century thinness has become fashionable which has caused eating disorders to increase significantly over the past thirty years.
            The two most common eating disorders include anorexia and bulimia nervosa. Anorexia nervosa is a disease in which one becomes very self-conscious about their weight and has an intense fear of becoming fat. They go to such extremes as starving themselves in order to keep thin, and some use additional methods such as vomiting, taking excessive amounts of laxatives, or exercising profusely. Bulimia nervosa on the other hand is an eating disorder in which one eats large amounts of food in a short period of time, also known as binge eating. Another symptom of bulimia is ridding oneself of food through vomiting, using laxatives, or over-exercising, commonly known as purging. Those with anorexia nervosa or bulimia often experience fatigue and decreased energy, headaches, personality changes, and abdominal pain. If an eating disorder is left untreated, it can lead to serious health damage, even death.                                                                     These eating disorders are usually brought on because a one is unsatisfied with their own body image. Oftentimes they feel out of control, and restricting their intake of food is one way to regain control. The patient has a sense of power over food, and this makes thru feel more secure about everything else going on in their life. By being thinner, they believe that they will become more desirable. Studies have shown that the majority of women with eating disorders are adolescents.
      What makes a young woman associate thinness with beauty? Many are...