Is the Media responsible for eating disorders?
For a full answer to this consider reading the essay on the media on our information page. The media is not the cause of eating problems but is a significant socio-cultural determinant of why so many people express their personal distress through the language of food and weight. One of the most important aspects of prevention of eating disorders is teaching children media literacy so that they do not fully internalise thin ideal images. In other words, they question the importance or possibility of looking the same as models and pop stars. Some of this literacy starts in the home.
For a full answer to this consider reading the essay on the media on our information page. The media is not the cause of eating problems but is a significant socio-cultural determinant of why so many people express their personal distress through the language of food and weight. One of the most important aspects of prevention of eating disorders is teaching children media literacy so that they do not fully “internalise” thin ideal images. In other words, they question the importance or possibility of looking the same as models and pop stars. Some of this literacy starts in the home. Our questions will be updated from time to time so please bookmark and revisit this site regularly.
