Societies Effects on Eating Disorders

What is considered “pretty” in America? Something people would commonly relate to attractiveness would be how thin or a skinny a person is. The image of an overweight person does not usually cross someone’s mind when they are thinking of a person who is “attractive.” This social stigma is something that creates a lot of standards for how people “should” look. Is this really how people should look? No. But a lot of people believe that they are not pretty or attractive if they do not fit into that social standard. A lot of people do unnecessary things just to fit in and feel attractive. This is where eating disorders begin to take effect.

 Some may think that an eating disorder is an individual problem that a person may have and it is not caused by outside sources. This, however, is not true. There are a lot of social factors that play into what caused an eating disorder. But first of all what are eating disorders? They are the act of either starving one’s self or attempting to gain the look of being “thin” in unhealthy ways like making themselves throw up after eating. These actions are usually done to shape their body into thin and, according to them, “attractive” looking bodies. Some actions may be refusing to eat or having an obsession with exercising (Causes of Eating Disorders).

 

There are a few sociological ways to view the reasons for why eating disorders happen. One view or theory is called symbolic interactionism. This is basically a symbol of some sort that many people recognize in a society and want to fit themselves into it in order to be “normal.” In America being thin is a symbol of being healthy and attractive. That is what so many people want to be. This is when an eating disorder comes in. So many women, especially girls in their teens, feel the pressure of looks being so important that they would do anything to look how everyone thinks they should. In order to do this, some resort to having an eating disorder whether it is anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa.

Another view or theory is functionalism. This is how an idea or some sort of behavior is functional for groups of people. In the media it is always shown that people should be thin. In commercials on TV and even in books and magazines the idea of being thin comes up way more than being overweight. The problem with this idea of “thin” is that it is not the same idea as being at a healthy weight. Models who are photographed to advertise clothing or some type of product constantly struggle with their appearance. They have to be considered “thin” for them to keep their jobs but it is not the same type of thin that should be considered normal. Many models end up having eating disorders because they are told that they are not attractive enough with their weight and appearance, when they are physically thin. So for people, it is considered functional to be really skinny because they believe that they can keep their jobs and appear more attractive to outsiders who do not know them. With these things they can advance and either earn more money or not be lonely in their lives.

The idea of a “normal” and “attractive” person is molded by society and what they think is considered the ideal body. So many people base their lives off of this mold that they would do anything to be in the socially accepted group. Some people may just exercise and try to eat healthier but for some they think it is not enough and resort to eating disorders. The idea of being “thin” overpowers so many people and it can really damage the upbringing of children and the lives of so many men and women.

Citation:
Polivy , J., & Herman, C. P. (2002). Causes of Eating Disorders. 27.