The Effects of Pop Culture on Anorexia

The Effects of Pop Culture on Anorexia

Introduction

Despite being healthy overall, many women in the United States believe that their bodies are lacking or defective. This confused perception is evident in cosmetic surgeries, destructive diets and self-prescribed drugs. Every day, women are struggling to take control of their physical body. In fact, women deliberately, and often painfully, focus on changing their natural bodies in accordance with the 'ideal' feminine body. This image of the ideal is derived largely from pop culture's most celebrated icon: the Barbie doll (Douglas, 2006). Barbie became the first 'teenage' doll, inciting a pop culture that encourages fixed behaviors and tastes. In that regard, having a skinny figure, otherwise unhealthy, is actually considered as the ideal 'Barbie' figure that most American women covet which eventually leads to anorexia.

Discussion

Definition of Anorexia

Morton (1694) published the first ever medical description of anorexia. He noted that anorexia's principal symptoms included reduced appetitie, amenorrhea, aversion to food, hyperactivity and emaciation of the skeletal structure. Morton argued that anorexia is a nervous condition above all that arises from psychological problems (LeeAnn Alexander-Mott & Lumsden, 1994).

People at Risk of Anorexia

Some people are at greater risk of anorexia than others. Research findings suggest that several risk factors for anorexia exist, including gender and age, occupation and family. Physiological or chemical factors may also contribute to the development of anorexia. Women are more susceptible to anorexia than men. In fact, approximately 90 percent women develop some degree of anorexia. Based on an age-strata, teens are at a greater risk for anorexia than any other age group. Preteens are also highly vulnerable to anorexia. Pop culture as considered the single most plausible reason for anorexia within this age group.

People in certain occupations, especially models and athletes, may also develop ...