Table of contentsIntroductionThe impact of the fashion industry on anorexiaAnorexia in the world of celebritiesWeight loss magazines and advertisementsContribution of ExpertsThe Rise of Orthorexia and InspirationChallenges and Potential CuresAlarming StatisticsConclusionWorks CitedIntroductionThe misconception that anorexia is a matter of choice is widespread, but recent research suggests a different story, one that might surprise you. New studies point to the fashion industry and various media as major culprits. Are these results credible? What motivates these notions? This essay will delve deeper into these questions, evaluate the validity of these claims, and leave you pondering the legitimacy of this hidden truth. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay The impact of the fashion industry on anorexia In a world where young people are increasingly attached to their screens, it is no wonder that their perceptions of what is acceptable in society can become distorted. The pressure to achieve perfection can have destructive consequences. The media, in its various forms – television, the Internet and magazines – largely permeate our lives. Statistics indicate that more than eighty percent of individuals watch television daily, on average about three hours per day (Lyon, 2017, para 16). Many television shows and advertisements feature women with unrealistic, almost doll-like figures, thereby objectifying them (Lyons, 2017, para 16). Models featured in beauty magazines and advertisements are often so photoshopped that their images are detached from reality. Shockingly, the National Eating Disorders Association found that twenty percent of television commercials convey the message that being extremely thin is more attractive than maintaining a normal weight. The average American teenager is exposed to at least five thousand such advertisements each year (Lyons, 2017, para 16). So it's no surprise that there's a correlation between destructive eating behaviors and decreased self-esteem. This generation is trapped in a manufactured reality that maintains the erroneous belief that young girls must become excessively thin to be considered attractive. Anorexia in the world of celebrities The requirement is a BMI of 16, a number considered perilous by medical experts and leading to health problems and vitamin deficiencies. Damien Gayle points out that according to the World Health Organization, guidelines state that people with a BMI of 18.5 or less are considered underweight, 18 as malnourished and 17 as severely malnourished . This begs the question: why is Hollywood and popular culture so obsessed with the idea of ​​the perfect body and appearance? For many people aspiring to work in these fields, eating disorders and starvation may seem like the only path to a successful career. Research even reveals that around sixty percent of models felt the need to lose weight, and fifty percent risked being fired if they didn't lose weight. The prevalence of anorexia and bulimia among models is so widespread that many celebrities have taken it upon themselves to raise awareness and share their views publicly. , while a significant portion of American women experience significant weight gain. Television is notthe only source of exposure to such ideals. Alarmingly, studies suggest that eighty-three percent of young women look at “fashion magazines” an average of four hours a week. Even more worrying is the prevalence of weight loss advertisements in women's magazines. Spettigue notes that women's magazines contain ten times more health products than men's magazines. Another surprising study mentioned by Spettigue, conducted by Kilbourne in 1994, found that the primary aspiration of young women aged eleven to seventeen was "to lose weight and keep it off." Kilbourne's research further highlighted the importance placed on weight loss among young women, with a significant number saying they were most interested in changing "their weight" when asked what they wanted. wanted to change their lives. the standard is on a downward trend. Paradoxically, a significant proportion of American women experience weight gain. Although the media may disavow any endorsement of anorexia, experts in the field of eating disorders, such as Kelly Brownell, vehemently disagree (Jade, 2012, para 9). Kelly Brownell, MD, provides compelling information that highlights the irony surrounding celebrities. Brownell says eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia are more likely to develop due to negative media influence. One intriguing observation she makes concerns a recent phenomenon associated with celebrities, commonly referred to as the "damaging paradox." This paradox revolves around media promoting the ideal of a slim, perfect body while simultaneously advertising foods high in fat and calories, influencing consumers to purchase these items (Jade, 2012, para 9). It's no surprise that the actresses themselves don't consume these high-calorie foods, as such indulgence is rare in the cutthroat world of Hollywood. . This disorder is characterized by an obsessive fixation on healthy eating and an irrational fear of becoming overweight. Orthorexia can cause individuals to develop self-loathing, self-confidence issues, malnutrition, and feelings of isolation. It is increasingly prevalent on “inspiration sites,” websites that actively encourage eating disorders and endorse extreme behavior. These sites go so far as to advocate starvation techniques, advising individuals to suppress their appetite, chew ice, and brush their teeth frequently to eliminate the taste of food (Woolf, 2015, para 2). They even suggest sharing photos of specific body parts online, while providing tips for hiding these behaviors from parents. It is disheartening that these websites encourage secret purging and bingeing, where individuals consume excessive amounts of food and then induce vomiting. Hospitalizations for anorexia and orthorexia have increased significantly in just a few years. According to the NHS, “the number of teenagers admitted to hospital for eating disorders has almost doubled in just three years”, and social media bears a significant part of the blame. Challenges and Potential Remedies Efforts to establish boundaries have often proven ineffective. One proposed measure is to set a minimum BMI threshold for professional models. Another approach to promoting curvier models is to provide them with healthier meals and working conditions. However, implementing these measures is easier said than done. In the United States, models are generally considered.