The Start of Eating Disorders

The start of eating disorders really comes from a variety of factors. While the skinny models of the 1990s are perhaps the origin of a new era of self-conscious, thin-is-in youth, that is not the whole picture. If the public as a whole didn’t adopt the idea of thin as ideal beauty, the number of eating disorders we see today probably would be a lot fewer. The following are some different factors that really led to the start of eating disorders in a contemporary setting.

Looks Over Talent

While not all celebrities are exceedingly attractive, almost every one of them is thin. While there are always exceptions, the majority of people who want to succeed in show business, modeling, or popular music are pressured to be thin. In many cases, there are probably plenty of other people out there who are as talented, or even more talented, when compared to the famous actors and musicians out there. The main difference is, only the people with the good looks got the job. Consider all of the instances of very attractive pop singers who rely on the studio to make their voice sound good. They aren’t hired to be the most original songwriter or the best singer––they’re hired to look good on the album cover and in the music videos.

Peer Pressure and Put Downs

You probably knew that one kid that everyone made fun of or tried to avoid. Maybe that kid was overweight, or had weird clothes, or smelled bad. The moral of the story is, how other people treat you is one of the most important influences you have. If you were abused or made fun of when you were younger, you’re more likely to want to find a way to avoid being ridiculed ever again. If that means an eating disorder, some people are still willing to suffer rather than be teased. More than just put downs, peer pressure can be a huge factor. Girls are fiercely competitive, and if they see someone that they think looks better, they can get it in their head that they have to look like her. Sometimes, a bad relationship or abusive boyfriend/girlfriend can nudge someone into having an eating disorder.

Family Troubles

A huge number of people who develop an eating disorder had some sort of trouble in the family when they were growing up. It could have been a divorce, abuse from a parent or sibling, neglect, a lack of support or need for attention, etc. In addition, when parents aren’t as involved with their children’s lives, the children almost always to turn to the media and their own peers as a source of information. Without the critical role of parents in their lives, many children grow up with a skewed view of what is important and what is normal.

The start of eating disorders might come from your home growing up, the influence of pop culture and the media over today’s youth and adults, or even a few cruel words from a peer. Whatever the reason, know that eating disorders are not the answer, and if you know someone who is struggling, make sure that get some help.

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