Eating Disorders And Media Analysis
Introduction of media, its’ role and the impact caused to eating disorders
According to the Diagnostic Statistical Manual-IV, eating disorders are defined as a “collective display of a set of dimensions such as negative emotionality, binge eating, and unhealthy forms of shape and weight management”. Some unhealthy forms of weight management include restrictive dieting, self-induced vomiting after eating and the excessive usage of laxatives. (Levine & Murnen, 2009). Most common types of eating disorders include Anorexia and Bulimia. Subsequently, media is the most common cause of such eating disorders. Media is a crucial role in the lives of many people of varying age groups. Majority choose and apply mass media for various reasons like forms of …show more content…
distraction and exploration of developmental issues such as education. (Arnett, 1995; Comstock & Scharrer, 2007). The excessive usage of mass media can result in issues such as thin idealization, body dissatisfaction and low self-esteem and would then end up in the development of eating disorders. However, there are other factors apart from media such as cultural expectations also play a part in the formation of common rising eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia. These will be further discussed in this essay.
Thin Idealisation resulting to eating disorders
The portrayal of unrealistic body types in media can result in a thin idealisation which might result to eating disorders. Media often produces content involving unhealthy messages in relation to gender, ideal body sizes and weight management. As children and teenagers are often the most common users of media such as television programs, children book and videos, weight and shape concern starts to develop while they are young. In addition, the media tends to highlight the advantages of being thin and emphasise the many negative aspects of being fat. These messages somehow intentionally or incidentally teach developing boys and girls. For instance, a study (Morris & Katzman, 2003) was conducted in order to examine the relationship between media and eating disorders using 548 girls from grade 5-12. The participants self-claimed the frequency of reading fashion magazines, attitudes and behaviour’s including dieting and exercising. In a fast- paced country like Singapore, the severity has been great as there are an increased number of teenagers as young as 13 that are being treated in public hospitals such as the Singapore General Hospital for eating disorders. (Rachel Tan, 2013) Pie chart: Rising numbers of Teenagers being treated in Singapore General Hospital for eating disorders over the years 2010-2012.
Media’s portrayal of unrealistic body types lowing one’s self esteem
Another example to further prove that unrealistic body types can lower one’s self esteem is illustrated through ‘Body Perfect’ ideals which are communicated to children at an early age through the exposure to television programmes and dolls like ‘Barbie’. Young girls aged between five to seven years old reported lower self-esteem and a greater hope for a thinner body after being exposed to such ‘perfect’ doll images (Dittmar, 2009). Most of SGH’s younger patients are often girls however, five boys ae treated for eating disorders each year. Likewise, the ‘ideal’ body portrayed in mass media by models and actors tend to set the standards of young women making them believe that they ought to go all out and struggle in order to attain the standards of ‘true’ beauty (Debraganza & Hausenblas, 2010). Dr Lee from SGH points out the outpouring in such cases to media portrayals and thin ideals. (R. T. October 2013).
Therefore, when one places greater emphasis on their appearance, this will result in an increase in the risk of an adolescent females going through extreme ways to control her weight. (Stokes, 2000). There are also higher chances for people with existing low self- esteem issues in developing eating disorders. The exposure to thin images and the pressure to be physically attractive often makes people think that they have to be thin.
Other factors such as cultural expectations that result in eating disorders
Apart from media’s portrayal of unrealistic body types other factors such as cultural expectations can also result in developing eating disorders. It has been established from time to time that people have a tendency to change their body size and shape in order to fit into the physical ideal of a specific era.
For example, in the 1920’s the ideal body type amongst women was to be curve less with a boyish body while in 1980’s it was to be tall, slim, athletic but still plump. Followingly, in the 1980’s women ought to be thin, withdrawn and pale. Currently, women have to be skinny but healthy. This shows the trend in changing ideal body types amongst women overtime.
Singapore’s role to mitigate eating disorders
Singaporean’s should continue to suggest for solutions to mitigate this social problem, which is to reduce the rising numbers of teenagers and children’s developing eating disorders. Globally, responsible ethical advertising is conducted through plus-size modelling which is most commonly known in advertisements for Dove ‘Real Beauty’ campaign. Dove is going further in advertising the predictable way towards social support with their campaign site, campaignforrealbeauty.com, to offer in its place a wider, healthier and more democratic perspective of beauty which is a Dove Fund, funded by the Unilever Foundation (Neff J, 2004). The Singapore government also has the Health Promotion Board in which it promotes healthy eating for our society and especially programmes for schools. An example will be the Healthy Meals in School Programme (HSMP) where it strives to improve the availability of healthier food and beverage choices in schools through an integrated programme involving the teachers, canteen vendors and students (Singapore Health Promotion Board, 2016). Community initiatives are also an example to promote healthy living. The Health Promotion Board works closely with organisations such as California Fitness, Singapore Sport’s Council and others to organise community based physical activities such as brisk-walking, running, Taichi in public places or community centres, to motivate Singaporeans to include physical activity into their daily lives (Grace Soon, 2008)
Conclusion
From the above mentioned points, eating disorders can be indirectly caused by media due to the portrayal of unrealistic body types. However, as mentioned earlier in the essay, not everyone is affected by these unrealistic body types portrayed in media. Media’s portrayal of these unrealistic body types can result in a thin idealization and body dissatisfaction to be formed and also lower one’s self esteem. However, media is not the only cause of eating disorders. Eating disorders can also be caused by external factors like cultural expectations. Hence, to minimize the effects of media on individuals, the messages conveyed through images in media must be subjected to realistic standards of body size and shape.
References
• Baines, H. (2015, July 20). Eating Disorders: A Rising Issue in Singapore. Retrieved from http://intheloop.com.sg/on-the-rise-in-singapore-eating-disorders/
• Cohen, Sara B.
(2006). Media exposure and the subsequent effects on body dissatisfaction, disordered eating and drive for thinness: A review of the current research. Mind Matters: The Wesleyan Journal of Psychology, 1, 57-71.
• Comstock, G., & Scharrer, E. (2007). Media and the American child. Burlington, MA: Academic Press.
• Debraganza, Ninoska & Hausenblas, Heather A. (2010). Media exposure of the ideal physique on women's body dissatisfaction and mood: The moderating effects of ethnicity. Journal of Black Studies, 40 (4), 700-716.
• Dittmar Helga. (2009): “How do body perfect" ideals in the media have a negative impact on body image and behaviors? Factors and processes related to self and identity. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 28 (1), 1-8.
• Health Promotion Board. (n.d.). Retrieved June 12, 2016, from http://www.hpb.gov.sg/HOPPortal/programmes-article/3088 • Morris, Anne.M., and Debra K. Katzman. (2003).The impact of the media on eating
• Neff, J. (2004). In Dove ads, normal is the new beautiful. Advertising Age,27.
• R. T. (2013, October 13). More youngsters diagnosed with eating disorders. Retrieved from
http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/more-youngsters-diagnosed-with-eating-disorders
• Stokes, Marilyn S. Massey. (2000). Prevention of disordered eating among adolescents.
The Clearing House 73(6), 335-40. disorders in children and adolescents. Paediatric Child Health 8(5), 287-89.
• Soon, G. (2008). Obesity Prevention and Control Measures, 2008. Retrieved from http://pacifichealthsummit.org/downloads/Obesity Prevention and Control Efforts in Singapore - 2008 Case Study.pdf
According to the Diagnostic Statistical Manual-IV, eating disorders are defined as a “collective display of a set of dimensions such as negative emotionality, binge eating, and unhealthy forms of shape and weight management”. Some unhealthy forms of weight management include restrictive dieting, self-induced vomiting after eating and the excessive usage of laxatives. (Levine & Murnen, 2009). Most common types of eating disorders include Anorexia and Bulimia. Subsequently, media is the most common cause of such eating disorders. Media is a crucial role in the lives of many people of varying age groups. Majority choose and apply mass media for various reasons like forms of …show more content…
distraction and exploration of developmental issues such as education. (Arnett, 1995; Comstock & Scharrer, 2007). The excessive usage of mass media can result in issues such as thin idealization, body dissatisfaction and low self-esteem and would then end up in the development of eating disorders. However, there are other factors apart from media such as cultural expectations also play a part in the formation of common rising eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia. These will be further discussed in this essay.
Thin Idealisation resulting to eating disorders
The portrayal of unrealistic body types in media can result in a thin idealisation which might result to eating disorders. Media often produces content involving unhealthy messages in relation to gender, ideal body sizes and weight management. As children and teenagers are often the most common users of media such as television programs, children book and videos, weight and shape concern starts to develop while they are young. In addition, the media tends to highlight the advantages of being thin and emphasise the many negative aspects of being fat. These messages somehow intentionally or incidentally teach developing boys and girls. For instance, a study (Morris & Katzman, 2003) was conducted in order to examine the relationship between media and eating disorders using 548 girls from grade 5-12. The participants self-claimed the frequency of reading fashion magazines, attitudes and behaviour’s including dieting and exercising. In a fast- paced country like Singapore, the severity has been great as there are an increased number of teenagers as young as 13 that are being treated in public hospitals such as the Singapore General Hospital for eating disorders. (Rachel Tan, 2013) Pie chart: Rising numbers of Teenagers being treated in Singapore General Hospital for eating disorders over the years 2010-2012.
Media’s portrayal of unrealistic body types lowing one’s self esteem
Another example to further prove that unrealistic body types can lower one’s self esteem is illustrated through ‘Body Perfect’ ideals which are communicated to children at an early age through the exposure to television programmes and dolls like ‘Barbie’. Young girls aged between five to seven years old reported lower self-esteem and a greater hope for a thinner body after being exposed to such ‘perfect’ doll images (Dittmar, 2009). Most of SGH’s younger patients are often girls however, five boys ae treated for eating disorders each year. Likewise, the ‘ideal’ body portrayed in mass media by models and actors tend to set the standards of young women making them believe that they ought to go all out and struggle in order to attain the standards of ‘true’ beauty (Debraganza & Hausenblas, 2010). Dr Lee from SGH points out the outpouring in such cases to media portrayals and thin ideals. (R. T. October 2013).
Therefore, when one places greater emphasis on their appearance, this will result in an increase in the risk of an adolescent females going through extreme ways to control her weight. (Stokes, 2000). There are also higher chances for people with existing low self- esteem issues in developing eating disorders. The exposure to thin images and the pressure to be physically attractive often makes people think that they have to be thin.
Other factors such as cultural expectations that result in eating disorders
Apart from media’s portrayal of unrealistic body types other factors such as cultural expectations can also result in developing eating disorders. It has been established from time to time that people have a tendency to change their body size and shape in order to fit into the physical ideal of a specific era.
For example, in the 1920’s the ideal body type amongst women was to be curve less with a boyish body while in 1980’s it was to be tall, slim, athletic but still plump. Followingly, in the 1980’s women ought to be thin, withdrawn and pale. Currently, women have to be skinny but healthy. This shows the trend in changing ideal body types amongst women overtime.
Singapore’s role to mitigate eating disorders
Singaporean’s should continue to suggest for solutions to mitigate this social problem, which is to reduce the rising numbers of teenagers and children’s developing eating disorders. Globally, responsible ethical advertising is conducted through plus-size modelling which is most commonly known in advertisements for Dove ‘Real Beauty’ campaign. Dove is going further in advertising the predictable way towards social support with their campaign site, campaignforrealbeauty.com, to offer in its place a wider, healthier and more democratic perspective of beauty which is a Dove Fund, funded by the Unilever Foundation (Neff J, 2004). The Singapore government also has the Health Promotion Board in which it promotes healthy eating for our society and especially programmes for schools. An example will be the Healthy Meals in School Programme (HSMP) where it strives to improve the availability of healthier food and beverage choices in schools through an integrated programme involving the teachers, canteen vendors and students (Singapore Health Promotion Board, 2016). Community initiatives are also an example to promote healthy living. The Health Promotion Board works closely with organisations such as California Fitness, Singapore Sport’s Council and others to organise community based physical activities such as brisk-walking, running, Taichi in public places or community centres, to motivate Singaporeans to include physical activity into their daily lives (Grace Soon, 2008)
Conclusion
From the above mentioned points, eating disorders can be indirectly caused by media due to the portrayal of unrealistic body types. However, as mentioned earlier in the essay, not everyone is affected by these unrealistic body types portrayed in media. Media’s portrayal of these unrealistic body types can result in a thin idealization and body dissatisfaction to be formed and also lower one’s self esteem. However, media is not the only cause of eating disorders. Eating disorders can also be caused by external factors like cultural expectations. Hence, to minimize the effects of media on individuals, the messages conveyed through images in media must be subjected to realistic standards of body size and shape.
References
• Baines, H. (2015, July 20). Eating Disorders: A Rising Issue in Singapore. Retrieved from http://intheloop.com.sg/on-the-rise-in-singapore-eating-disorders/
• Cohen, Sara B.
(2006). Media exposure and the subsequent effects on body dissatisfaction, disordered eating and drive for thinness: A review of the current research. Mind Matters: The Wesleyan Journal of Psychology, 1, 57-71.
• Comstock, G., & Scharrer, E. (2007). Media and the American child. Burlington, MA: Academic Press.
• Debraganza, Ninoska & Hausenblas, Heather A. (2010). Media exposure of the ideal physique on women's body dissatisfaction and mood: The moderating effects of ethnicity. Journal of Black Studies, 40 (4), 700-716.
• Dittmar Helga. (2009): “How do body perfect" ideals in the media have a negative impact on body image and behaviors? Factors and processes related to self and identity. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 28 (1), 1-8.
• Health Promotion Board. (n.d.). Retrieved June 12, 2016, from http://www.hpb.gov.sg/HOPPortal/programmes-article/3088 • Morris, Anne.M., and Debra K. Katzman. (2003).The impact of the media on eating
• Neff, J. (2004). In Dove ads, normal is the new beautiful. Advertising Age,27.
• R. T. (2013, October 13). More youngsters diagnosed with eating disorders. Retrieved from
http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/more-youngsters-diagnosed-with-eating-disorders
• Stokes, Marilyn S. Massey. (2000). Prevention of disordered eating among adolescents.
The Clearing House 73(6), 335-40. disorders in children and adolescents. Paediatric Child Health 8(5), 287-89.
• Soon, G. (2008). Obesity Prevention and Control Measures, 2008. Retrieved from http://pacifichealthsummit.org/downloads/Obesity Prevention and Control Efforts in Singapore - 2008 Case Study.pdf