Driving force for Bulimia and Anorexia?

What do you think is the driving force for eating disorders such as Bulimia and Anorexia in the present day? Be it television, celebrity looks, modern day culture, or just the burning desire for that 'perfect body?'

Please, discuss ^_^

 

I think the worst factor is celebrities that are presented as "perfect", while they're actually very unhealthy.

 

I would have to say it's just public pressure in general. 150 years ago, the ideal women was curvier and actually had some meat on her body. Since then things like modeling, and mass media have forced this image of the "perfect body" into everyone's mind, and it's gotten to the point where people think it's unacceptable to be anything else.

I happen to be on the heavier side. I mean, I'm not obese, but I noticeably have some meat on my bones. Likewise my girlfriend isn't the skinniest person either (not to say that she's heavy by a long shot, but she's not a stick covered in latex). We're both very normal people. Looking around the world, most couples are just like us, but even though I'm fine with the way she looks, and she's fine with the way I look, we both feel pressure to lose weight (even though she really doesn't need to). Point is, pressure is just a constant from everywhere in society, and for one reason or another, people feel that pressure even if they don't have to.

 

It's not purely that, though.
There are definitely more unattractive/average male actors than female ones, but the important difference is that women care. It's the fact that we do compare ourselves to others. We are socialized to worry excessively about our appearance - everything from our makeup and clothes to our weight. It's simply an expectation that pervades our society.

Think about it:
As children, girls (more than boys) are read fairy tales where the good, kind figure is always the beautiful princess; meanwhile, any character with an imperfection is the villain. Girls are also presented with barbie dolls, and spend a disproportionate amount of time dressing them to make them "look pretty". When they themselves get all dressed up for special occasions, they inevitably get praised by their parents' friends for "looking so cute in that dress" (leading girls to associate appearance with attention).

There are a million ways that women are taught the importance of appearance. Beautiful celebrities are only another chapter to what we've already learned.

 

i think its peer pressure, If no one cared then no one will notice your fat

 

Good point about actors. I'm not trying to be sexist here, but there is a significant difference. A woman generally needs to be sexy to be a successful actor, while a man doesn't. This creates more attractive role models for girls than for boys.

 

Couldn't have put it better myself, thanks Sin :noworry:

 

Good point, think of what I like to call the 'James Bond' stereotype - Alright looking guy in tux, followed by skimpy bikini babe getting the next top role. Im not saying that i'd want Jo Brand to get the role and come out of the swimming pool in slo-mo and - oh god - HD *as incredibly funny as it would be* but perhaps the slightly more average woman to maybe make people instead of envious when comparing, think "Wow... I look okay."

 

peer pressure
not being that fat ugly girl
fitting into tiny clothes

 

Stupidity.

If a woman wants to look better, there are much better ways to do it than starve herself.

 

Thats kinda harsh?
Really There is so much pressure among young people, it just so happens to be muscular for guys, and skinny for women

 

Which really begs the question, why isn't Mc.Donald's broke?

 

I think it's a combination of stupidity and peer pressure that makes them go ahead and starve themselves..

 

Because people love eating crappy food if it seems cheap and is presented in a good way. Sad but true.

 

Agreed. And I'd also add peer pressure. They are always concerned about what the other person beside them will think about her.

From personnal experience (I haven't had any problems, but I know some people), it's really annoying. You can't remove the way they think and even if they use professional help, they still think about it and it always gets worse.

 

There is no driving force... it's a delusion in the person's brain. An anorexic looks in the mirror and sees a fat person, while they weigh under 100 pounds.

 

definitely the media. Mind you for weightlifters and body builders many of them can never get big enough.

 

Yeah it's harsh. I still think it's true though. Starving yourself or binging then purging is not the best way to bring about that kind of body.

 

Two words. The Media.

 

Hmm... I wouldn't say it's due to stupidity, more insecurities, and the Media definitely play a major role in this.