91% of females are unsatisfied with their body and of those females 70% fall under the normal weight category (Gallivan). So why is it that so many females are unhappy with their body image? Why do 20 million females in the U.S. suffer from an eating disorder? Research has found that the factors that contribute to an eating disorder fall under three main categories: biological, psychological, and social. While genetics and physiological factors play a role in contributing to an eating disorder, it is found that the most dominant factor is social ("For Family and Friends"). The influential social factors that cause an eating disorder in females include: family, peers, and the media. Family tends to be the most influential model in one’s life.
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Many family members aren’t even aware that they are indeed causing their child to feel dissatisfied with their body. Most parents don’t intend to cause harm on their children. This is why Goodman says, “parents typically take part in indirect behaviors that influence eating disorders” (Goodman). A parent can even directly influence an eating disorder and not even know it. When a parent is constantly working out and experimenting with diets, their child is seeing their actions which will cause a feeling of pressure to follow in their parents’ footsteps. It is also typical for parents to be unaware of a child’s eating disorder. The National Eating Disorder Association says, when a parent is unaware that their child is dealing with an eating disorder, they play a big part in sustaining the eating disorder ("For Family and Friends"). Whether it’s intentionally commenting on weight or ignoring that their child is skipping meals, the parent plays a huge role in controlling their child’s eating …show more content…
In a recent survey targeted for adolescent females, more than 50% answered that their peers have made them feel dissatisfied with their body. 48% of the females who answered that their peers have made them feel dissatisfied with their body acted upon the negative behaviors by either throwing up, skipping meals, extensive exercise, or counting calories (“Body Image and Eating Disorders”). Instead of accepting all types of bodies, peers are starting to support this unhealthy, unrealistic body type that society has created. Lorasch-Gunderson’s study revealed that many girls talk about dieting, participate in dieting, talk about their and other’s body image, and look down on people who aren’t trying to lose weight (Lorasch-Gunderson). As opposed to bringing their peers up, girls are bringing one another down. By constantly feeling like one has to look a certain way by their peers, an individual begins to become brain washed that being ultrathin is the only desirable and accepted way to look (Gallivan). From feeling as though they have to fit in to accepting that being ultrathin is the only way one should look, an individual can develop behaviors and thoughts of an individual with an eating
Many family members aren’t even aware that they are indeed causing their child to feel dissatisfied with their body. Most parents don’t intend to cause harm on their children. This is why Goodman says, “parents typically take part in indirect behaviors that influence eating disorders” (Goodman). A parent can even directly influence an eating disorder and not even know it. When a parent is constantly working out and experimenting with diets, their child is seeing their actions which will cause a feeling of pressure to follow in their parents’ footsteps. It is also typical for parents to be unaware of a child’s eating disorder. The National Eating Disorder Association says, when a parent is unaware that their child is dealing with an eating disorder, they play a big part in sustaining the eating disorder ("For Family and Friends"). Whether it’s intentionally commenting on weight or ignoring that their child is skipping meals, the parent plays a huge role in controlling their child’s eating …show more content…
In a recent survey targeted for adolescent females, more than 50% answered that their peers have made them feel dissatisfied with their body. 48% of the females who answered that their peers have made them feel dissatisfied with their body acted upon the negative behaviors by either throwing up, skipping meals, extensive exercise, or counting calories (“Body Image and Eating Disorders”). Instead of accepting all types of bodies, peers are starting to support this unhealthy, unrealistic body type that society has created. Lorasch-Gunderson’s study revealed that many girls talk about dieting, participate in dieting, talk about their and other’s body image, and look down on people who aren’t trying to lose weight (Lorasch-Gunderson). As opposed to bringing their peers up, girls are bringing one another down. By constantly feeling like one has to look a certain way by their peers, an individual begins to become brain washed that being ultrathin is the only desirable and accepted way to look (Gallivan). From feeling as though they have to fit in to accepting that being ultrathin is the only way one should look, an individual can develop behaviors and thoughts of an individual with an eating