Eating Disorders In Men And Women Essay

The media is known to affect the way people see themselves and how they feel about their bodies. However, it is argued whether or not the media plays a role in the development of eating disorders in men and women. There has been a huge rise in the number of BDDs (Body Dysmorphia Disorders) such as Anorexia Nervosa, Muscle Dysmorphia, and Bulimia Nervosa. The media produces an image portrayed to people that is close to impossible to obtain. The media uses plastic surgery and highlights to make models and celebrities look more appealing to the viewing eyes. “Our views of what women and men should look like are shaped by these unreal images” (Ballaro and Wagner). Media plays a big role in the development of eating disorders.
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“American men and boys have also been inundated with media images of largely unrealistic muscular men physiques”(Ballaro and Wagner). The famous series of Calvin Klein underwear models show men shirtless, chiseled models that men think is what they should look like. Bulked up men have also shown up on TV and printed ads. These men are edited to look a certain way to make them look more appealing to viewers. This causes men to want to look exactly like the men in the pictures, which can be close to impossible, sometimes causing the men to develop eating disorders.
Early childhood development is also said to be a factor in developing eating disorders. Parents of a child have the biggest affect on their views of their body. although that may be true, the media is still what gives parents the view of a perfect body they know and show their children. “A parents obsession with pornography, fashion magazines, or a compulsive need to exercise can also impact the way a child learn to value him or herself”(Driscoll and Campbell). So in the end, the media still has the bigger effect in the development of eating