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Avatar universal

Whos to blame?

Hi,
I am an A2 Media studies student and i am currently investigating:

Is the pressure of being thin in Hollywood causing young female teenagers to have an eating disorder (becoming anorexic) by trying to look like their idols in celebrity magazines?

Any views or facts on this situation I would be most appreciative of.
Thankyou
9 Responses
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Avatar universal
I moved from Southern California to another state because of the pressures of being thin and the impact it had on my eating disorder.  BUT, after being in treatment I've learned that genetics played a big role especially depression and anxiety as well as family dynamics.  By family dynamics I mean my father being very controlling and always pressuring me to be perfect.  I had no control over anything except food.  Hope this helps and good luck with your research.
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Avatar universal
I think you will find that ED's are genetic more then anything.
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Avatar universal
In my opinion celebrities have a very little role in the eating disorders. I believe this because eating disorders are caused mentally for example if there is some sort of incident or there has been any physical or mentally abuse has been used against that person suffering. Its the same with celebrities because the majority of celebs have been put under great pressure to look good and this can result in many things being said about them. If they put on weight they get it from the press and its the same when they lose too much weight! What can they do?
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Avatar universal
in short..things are the same! this love/hate relationship continues! i treated myself last nite, no-one was in now i will have to weigh myself 10 times to see when i can start eating again, when i lose the weight! if only i cld move on, it wld be so good! can i ask how did u/or what help did u recieve in bringing your periods back! i am very concerned about that!
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199177 tn?1490498534
Good post hun. Food really does become the enmey its such an odd thing trying to plan your day around not having to eat . Have things gotten any better ?
Avis
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Avatar universal
Having read them comments on who is to blame it is not the media, but we suffer from is an illness! It’s a control thing, why can’t I eat, why do I have to weigh myself after every little food I eat, and at different times of the day! I treat myself and punish myself, promise myself that tomorrow is going to be different but it isn’t!

So in reply to your question, it’s a mental block, I am 5ft 4 weigh 5stone 10 on a good day and on a bad day 5stone 11 which means no food. I have crackers , bread, tea, and coke, and then a takeaway every 6mths, I shun family occasions, make excuses leave food around the house so ppl think I have had food, don’t go to ppl#s house around lunch or tea, incase they offer me food! Sad ehh I even look up how many calories in an apple, cup of tea with no milk! It’s a life controlling thing! I am a size 0 no jeans fit me! Yet I can not let go, can’t tell the gp incase family find out…….if I cld click my fingers and be normal then I wld…….i think…I envy ppl who Eat and look happy and are slim! Why is this taken over my life…….my periods have stopped I want them back….but I need to eat…..it’s a love hate relationship…….now I have started to test food and spit it out before I swallow because I love eating food, but won’t allow myself or can’t which one I don’t know! My life is full of deceit with food, even logging onto this site is hard, clear history, make sure no one is in to read your comments. I go to the gymn 3 times a week work myself hard why…….

sorry for my ramble but welcome to my life ....
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Avatar universal
Causing-That is a big word insuating that we know the causes of eating disorders-which we do not.  There are so many factors that contribute to eating disorders. So much is expected of our kids these days.  I don't think that the images portrayed by celebrities encourage health among our girls.  They do show us that thin is in, the thinner the better...not many Hollywood women have curves and show off their curves.  That being siad...no one can say for certain why one person who is exposed to certain stressors (abuse, perfectionism, depression) will develop an eating disorder and another exposed to the same thigns will not.  Wish we knew.  We would be closer to a cure.  In the mean time it is so important to embrace feminity and the natural curves that go along with it.
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Avatar universal
hea
I disagree with avisg.  Is it one of the causes, absolutely.  Is it the only cause, no.  Is it even the main cause, of course not.  There is so much more to what is behind an eating disorder.  I was 13 when I started purging.  I learned some fantastic tips from a movie Meredith Baxter Birney was in called Kate's Secret.  I was also not eating.  I had friends who saw that movie who didn't think anything of it so obviously there was something else already there in the first place.  I do believe young girls do try to look like their idols. I do no that young children view fat as bad.  I hear it at my 9 year old daughters school.  I'm 36 now and I still sometimes am envious of those "perfect younger better" girls and I'm doing well.

Good luck with your research.
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199177 tn?1490498534
bren I was  23 when I first has an issue. anorexia is a menal illness that has nothing to do with what we see on tv or in mags it has to do with how we view ourselfs. Good luck with your paper!!!
Avis
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