Summary: The Influence Of Media On Eating Disorders

Many have wondered if the images of extremely thin people in the media cause individuals to develop eating disorders. This is an excellent question especially when one considers the types of images that constantly display on television, magazines, and internet advertisements. Average weight or overweight people are rarely seen in the media. And unfortunately, when overweight individuals appear in movies and television they are often the brunt of jokes or presented as laughing stocks, such as Jonah Hill or Melissa McCarthy.
Certainly, these images can influence watchers. However, the point is made in the video that many eating disorders predate our present media. For example, anorexia nervosa was given its name over 100 years ago before the invention of television.

Anyone who has spent time being exposed to media has seen unhealthy body images. For example, it
Requires research. Many people enjoy speaking about eating disorders as if they are professionals. For example, it is not uncommon to hear an individual see someone who is extremely thin and then proclaim that person to be anorexic. Or at times, after viewing someone’s eating a bystander may decide that individual is a binge eater.
However, these types of conditions are serious and should accessed, diagnosed, and treated by a professional. So, Howcast was wise to have a psychiatrist speak on the issue of the media’s influence on developing eating disorders. In particular, Allegra Broft was chosen. She was qualified to speak on this subject because she is a licensed, practicing psychiatrist who earned her medical degree from Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons (“Allegra I. Broft,” 2017).
Reference
Allegra I. Broft, MD. (2017, August 25). Retrieved October 27, 2017, from https://www.columbiapsychiatry.org/profile/allegra-i-broft-md
Discuss: After researching the fact, what are your