Preview

Eating Disorders In Australia Essay

Better Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1040 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Eating Disorders In Australia Essay
EATING DISORDERS/HOW THE MEDIA PLAYS A KEY ROLE
Eating disorders is a worldwide problem that affects far too many Canadians at a very young age. No matter where one looks today, one will notice that our culture places a high value on women being thin. It is estimated that 7 million Canadians have an eating disorder. 6 million women, 1 million men. Eating disorders are often caused by stress and are also tied into depression and anger, resulting from the pressures of modern living. Most eating disorders stem from problems with self-image caused by the media. These problems continue to grow and can only be solved through research, education and legislation. Do you think you can help, or would you overlook this situation and think It can fix
…show more content…
When you have a mental illness, one thing that is hard to accept is that most of the time, you are your own doctor. Your parents can send you to see someone and you will call and all you really get is support and advice, but at the end of the day. You are the only one who is truly in charge of yourself and that can try to heal and repair. You’re the one that can choose to listen to the advice. You’re the one that chooses whether or not to take your medication. Just the same as you’re in charge of waking up every morning with the fight to fight your illness, even when you just don’t feel like you have the energy for it anymore and that there is no hope. How are you supposed to save yourself when it’s YOUR mind that’s fighting against you. You have to realize that YOU are the light at the end of the tunnel and that YOU are the only person who can and will truly save yourself. It’s a hard fight, and it’s all up to you to try and get yourself through it. Constantly seeing advertisements may not be helping, but what you need to remember is it is almost impossible to look like these people that is shown. Yes, these girls are pretty on tv, but you need to remember how much photo shop, touching up, and makeup is truly put into

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    National or local organizations have been helping in effort to minimize eating disorder cases in the U.S. Recently talking with Steve Schaefer, founder and clinical director of the Eating Disorder Center of Fresno. As a social worker for over 40 years, his mission was to “patch the hole” of the soul, wanting people to “love themselves and not to compare themselves to others”. His story begins in college as an alcohol addict. Luckily, he was given a second chance and retook college, majoring in history. From there, he felt obliged to help others the way they helped him. He became a licensed certified social worker (LCSW) and later on founded the Eating Disorder Center of Fresno. During the interview, he explained that these types of disorders…

    • 312 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    It is simply bizarre to me how the media’s influence to fulfill the ideals of the “thinspiration” or “fitspiration” movement have become so widespread across the youth population as a way to define oneself. Prior to reading the article “’Thinspiration’ Packages Eating Disorders as a Lifestyle Choice”, I was aware that eating disorders were serious and captivating mental illnesses. However, I was under the impression that people had the intentions of helping stop the increasing cycle of the illness and not advocating for it. Dealing with a first-hand experience of an eating disorder, due to a close friend having the illness, I can say for a fact that there is nothing glamorous about it and it is certainly nothing that an individual should strive to attain. I’m absolutely sickened by that fact that there are Pro- Anorexia and Pro-Bulimia websites which glorify dangerously thin bodies and post images and tips on how to achieve them. These sites provide false nutritional advice and avoid discussing the negative aspects of being too thin and having abnormal eating habits. Although eating disorders are not a new concept to our society, the ideals of thinspiration treat the disorder as if it’s a lifestyle choice, something acceptable. I think that it would be helpful to discuss on forums with other individuals suffering from the disorder, but only with the intentions of aiding one another in recovering and grieving. But instead, people will post pictures of skinny men or women and use that image as motivation to starve or purge. I feel like oftentimes people don’t know how to approach individuals who are obviously dealing with an eating disorder, so they just let them be and the conditions only worsen. Sometimes cases go unreported because one doesn’t look too skinny, for instance; it’s a difficult disorder to diagnose. I wish our society would stop being so critical ad realize that individuals with such a serious disorder cannot help themselves on their own; it’s a…

    • 500 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Thesis: A social issue that plagues our world today are eating disorders, but these can be helped by Christian counselors, who fix the problem by letting patients struggling with eating disorders know that they are important to God, God values their body, and that God cherishes when we recognize our weaknesses and give our burdens to him.…

    • 2326 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Wendy Spettigue covers what role the media plays in eating disorders. How the media focuses on the importance of appearance for women, but also creates the epitome of beauty by portraying exaggerated features that beauty consists of. She also covers how media connects to the etiology (Medicine-the cause, set of causes, or manner of causation of a disease or condition) of eating disorders. And how it works to maintain eating disorders. She has also authored 2 book chapters on psychopharmacology for the treatment of eating disorders (Cambridge Univ Press and Guilford…

    • 1101 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Instead, they argue that the media talks about valuable information on health and people’s well being. They also discuss awareness of eating disorders, through magazines, articles, and television programs. Through the media, they educate people about the danger of abusing food and help them be aware that they are not alone in their journey. The media shows a variety of body shapes and sizes; it influences young people about accepting their weight, provides positive plus size role models. What actually affects the self-esteem of these girls’ stems from many causes that have nothing to do with the media’s influence. For example, internal issues, family pressure, and peer pressure can provoke an eating disorder. Not only do women feel pressure from the media to control their weight but also receive peer pressure from, their boyfriends, husbands, parents, family and from stores that carry clothes that only carry sizes that fit small petite girls. Also, if a girl is already lacks the necessary self-confidence that she needs, it would make it easier for these outside influences to make matters…

    • 845 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Obesity is identified as a National Heath Priority area by the Australian Government. It is a serious health issue as it can lead to many more severe problems and concerns such as diabetes, coronary heart disease or even cancer.…

    • 669 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    1.0 Australia has record numbers of obesity. Diseases and illness are directly correlated to an increase Body Mass Index (BMI). A culture of processed foods has spoiled our culture and connection to the food we eat. As time progresses statistics are worsening and this report addresses the problem and recommends a series of solutions in order to continue an increasing life span for Australians.…

    • 910 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    This research paper goes in depth on eating disorders and how they can be prevented. This paper will also cover how many individuals are affected by this situation each year nationwide. In many cases, individuals with eating disorders survive; but others find it hard to seek help. There is an enormous amount of individuals who have eating disorders and die because they don't have the motivation to seek help. I would like to give out a few pointers and information on how this society could prevent eating disorders. If you know of an individual with an eating disorder, I kindly encourage you to take matters into your own hands and seek help for that individual because often times he/she won't have the strength to do it on their own.…

    • 575 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Eating Disorders

    • 2012 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Have you ever looked in the mirror and wish you could do something about your weight? After all, what hamburger loving American can 't afford to shed 5–10 extra pounds? In 1970 when slim became the new curvy, woman—and men alike, became more concerned about their appearance. Gone are the days when a woman could be proud of her perfect hour glass figure. With the invention of a slim waist line, there also came the birth of eating disorders. From anorexia to bulimia, men and women seem willing to do what ever it takes to follow the newest fad. Eating disorders have an unhealthy effect on the human body, and the consequences are deadly.…

    • 2012 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    eating disorders

    • 1141 Words
    • 5 Pages

    What has the world come to when women are given the message at a very young age, that in order to be happy or successful they must be thin. Our society repeatedly sends the message that thin is beautiful. Today every time we walk into a store we are surrounded by images of skinny, beautiful models that appear on the front cover of all fashion magazines. In the media, we daily see weight-loss programs advertisements featuring young underweight women. Diet commercials are constantly appearing on our television screens telling us that once we lose weight will be happier. This shows that the American culture tends to value people on their physical appearance rather than other important qualities. As a result, eating disorders have been on the increase because of the value society places on being thin. Media is brainwashing society into believing that being thin is important and necessary. Eating disorders are a common problem in our society but have not been acknowledged as much as they should. There are three subtypes of eating disorders: Anorexia nervosa, Bulimia nervosa and Binge eating. However, society is not the only contributing factor to eating disorders. Women with eating disorders have a difficultly controlling their actions. They suffer from low self-esteem which drives them toward perfectionism. Women set themselves standards that are unhealthy, physically and emotionally. These eating disorders can be life threatening if not treated on time. An examination of our society reveals that they are one of the major contributing factors to the three eating disorders among women.…

    • 1141 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Eating Disorders

    • 2036 Words
    • 6 Pages

    The Journal of Adolescent Health states, “81 percent of American 10-year-olds are afraid of being fat” (Rodenbough 4). Our society is turning into a terrible place to bring up children. The age of women affected by eating disorders seem to be decreasing. No child should feel self-conscience about their appearance. No one should, no matter their age. What will change how society feels if, “They are constantly bombarded with images of thin, beautiful young women and lean, muscular men in magazines, on billboards, on the internet, on television, and in movies” (Wexler 4)? Men and women all around the nation need to be informed about what types of eating disorders exist and common symptoms that occur along with them. They should also be aware of the media’s influence on our population along with the fashion industry. Solutions for those with an Eating Disorder need to be known among society as well.…

    • 2036 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Eating Disorders Paper

    • 1461 Words
    • 6 Pages

    An eating disorder is an illness that causes serious disturbances to your everyday diet, such as eating extremely small amounts of food or severely overeating. People with eating disorder may have started out just eating small or large amounts of food, but at some point, the urge to eat lessened or gained and spiraled out of control. Severe distress or concern about body weight or shape may also signal an eating disorder. ("Eating Disorders." NIMH RSS. Web. 5 Oct. 2015.) Eating disorders include extreme emotions, attitudes, and behaviors surrounding weight and food issues. Eating disorders are serious emotional and physical problems that can have life-threatening consequences for females and males. ("Eating Disorders." NIMH RSS. Web. 5 Oct.…

    • 1461 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    It is proven that more than half of a million American teenagers have an eating disorder. Is the media to blame for this large number of eating disorders? These eating disorders have been documented in medical history since the 1800s. The media contributes to what teenagers believe is “thin and beautiful”. Having an eating disorder can cause many negative physical effects to the body. Not only are there many negative physical effects from eating disorders, there are mental and emotional effects too. One opposing argument may be that many people may have is the fact that the media could have a positive affect on eating disorders. Thus, eating disorders can be attributed to the media because the portrayal of thin and beautiful models puts pressure on the average teen.…

    • 1306 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Imagine the world where obesity was just a myth? Unfortunately, it is not and obesity is a serious health issue throughout Australia. Obesity does not only have an impact on the physical sector of health but has on all aspect of health in a way. Obesity weakens nearly every quality of wellbeing. “Someone who is 40% overweight is twice as likely to die prematurely as is an average-weight person” (Information on Health Risks Associated with Obesity at MedicineNet.com, 2016). Obesity results from overeating food and consuming more calories than needed. The body stores the non-used calories as fat, which can lead to diseases such as heart problems and diabetes. Similarly, obesity has a huge influence on the psychological state of the obese person; according to Lisa K. Diamond from…

    • 844 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Anorexia In America Essay

    • 2866 Words
    • 12 Pages

    Amid economic uncertainty and crushing debt, all Americans are a few paychecks from being homeless. But what seperates John, who struggles to pay his monthly bills, from Paul, who owes nothing but lives on the street? The problem is that minimum-wage is not enough to raise a family; so some people decide that it 's better to be homeless than to work 12 hours every day and barely have enough to cover the electricity.…

    • 2866 Words
    • 12 Pages
    Powerful Essays