Eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia, are complex illnesses that involve poor body image and low self-esteem, obsession with weight loss and harmful dieting behaviors. According to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), schools, local communities and the media can implement effective eating-disorder prevention programs. Such programs should address cultural obsession with thinness, societal roles of men and women, and ways to promote positive self-esteem and respect.
School Programs
Schools can play a significant role in eating-disorder prevention. According to NEDA, physical appearance and self-image have become increasingly important to developing girls and boys. Children as young as 6 are demonstrating body angst, poor dietary and fitness habits, and concerns about weight. These challenges are extremely difficult to reverse once they've been established. Curriculum aimed toward building self-esteem, self-confidence and good health can prevent these negative thought patterns and behaviors from developing into full-fledged eating disorders. Lesson plans can include information on basing self-perception and value on a child's inner strengths rather than physical appearance, examination of historical trends regarding physical beauty, healthy weight for growing children, size acceptance (not judging others based on body shape or weight), dangers of dieting and basic healthy eating and exercise principles.
Friends and Family Networks
The community can also contribute to eating-disorder prevention. Parents and youth can join together to create newsletters, meetings and events that support eating-disorder prevention. Such forums can provide open discussion regarding matters that affect the community members' thoughts and concerns regarding issues and current events pertaining to body image, self-esteem and eating disorders. According to an article published in the Huffington Post in April 2008, researchers sponsored by the International Journal of Eating Disorders found that teenagers in the United States may be "socially contagious." If one child or teen has an eating disorder, the risk for eating disorders among his or her peers increases. When issues related to eating disorders are discussed openly among community members, risks and warning signs of eating disorders are more likely to be recognized and addressed before they evolve into illness.
Media Programs
The media can implement programs to help prevent eating disorders as well. According to the Canadian Women's Health Network, the average fashion model is taller and weighs 23 percent less than the average woman, who is approximately 5 feet, 4 inches tall and weighs 148 lbs. The more that women are exposed to unrealistic ideals, the worse they feel about themselves. Movie stars and other celebrities, including sports professionals, who have the "perfect" physique (by societal standards) further perpetuate these feelings. Since media holds great influence over people's body image, it should be used for positive purposes, according to NEDA. If entertainment companies, movie and television networks and magazines make efforts to change the way men and women are depicted in the media, eating disorders may be prevented. Network executives can organize public service announcements regarding the importance of self-esteem and the dangers of eating disorders to air on their networks. Publishing companies can promote literary works that promote these same messages, cut back on diet-pill advertisements and utilize fashion models of various shapes and sizes. The Media Awareness Network suggests that companies currently making such efforts, such as Dove's "Campaign for Real Beauty," are having a positive impact that may lead to fewer instances of poor body image and eating disorders.
References
- National Eating Disorder Association: Eating Disorders Can Be Prevented!
- National Eating Disorder Association: Embrace Educational Tools
- The Huffington Post: Are Eating Disorders Contagious?
- Canadian Women's Health Network: Body Image and the Media
- Media Awareness Network: Dove's Campaign for Real Beauty
