Pressures of Being Thin

Why do young girls feel they need to be thin? The pre-teen and teenage years are already difficult enough to go through, and many girls go through these years constantly trying to make others like them. While these young girls read fashion magazines and watch television, they are exposed to what the articles, pictures and the media think how they should look. Even though mass media does not take full responsibility, advertising influences young girls to develop eating disorders because they feel pressure to stay thin and ads use thin women to promote beauty products and diet supplements. Here are some basic facts about eating disorders. According to National Eating Disorders Organization (2005) eating disorders, such as anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder, include extreme emotions, attitudes and behaviors that surround weight and food issues. These disorders are dangerous enough to cause serious emotional and physical health problem. Additionally, eating disorders can lead to life-threatening consequences. Eating disorders are difficult conditions which come from a combination of factors. Eating disorders are considered a psychological factor. In addition, they are also considered to be interpersonal, social, and biological factors. Scientists and researchers are still learning about the causes of these conditions which are emotionally and physically damaging conditions; however, most people are aware of the main issues that lead to the development of eating disorders (National Eating Disorders Organization, 2005). Young girls need to realize how dangerous eating disorders can be. According to Gustafson, Popovich, & Thomsen (2001), anorexia is considered as a bio-psychological disorder, which results in distortions of one’s self-image and self-perception. This leads to young girls and women to develop a dangerous fear of food and weight gain. As many as forty percent to sixty percent of all high-school girls, including pre-adolescent