Eating Disorders, Body Image & The Media

Let’s talk about something that big beauty, fashion, entertainment and media corporations don’t want us to talk about- their impact on body image and that correlation with eating disorders. Body image and eating disorders are extremely intertwined- while body image concerns do not equal an eating disorder, it is more often than not that eating disorders have a strong body image component. Specifically, anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa require body image distress as part of their DSM-5 qualifications. So to talk about body image and eating disorders in regard to the media, we are going to focus on body image, knowing that it is a strong factor in eating disorders and important to full eating disorder recovery.

 

Some experts estimate that we are exposed to up to 10,000 media messages per day!

That is mind-blowing. From TV to social media we are consuming advertisements all day. We also have to consider advertising on billboards, magazines at the checkout or radio that we may not be as aware of consciously, but still have a strong impact on our subconscious. I may not remember seeing a weight-loss commercial today, but I notice I am having thoughts about my dinner- I have to ask myself, where did this influence come from?

It could be:

-diet foods I saw at the store

-a magazine with weight loss on the cover

-a billboard for cosmetic procedures

-radio ads for weight loss surgery

-food advertisements for low calorie foods

-social media ads for “metabolism boosting pills”

-movies or tv shows making diet-culture references or only featuring one body type

-the list goes on & on!

With all of these messages being pushed on us multiple times a day, it is impossible to not be impacted or think we are above being influence. Research has shown the more we seen an ad, the more familiar we become with the product, and the more likely we are to buy it. Seeing these messages as an impressionable young person holds even more weight and more risk.

We can control our exposure to these advertisements to some extent- we can keep food & beauty products with diet culture labels and messaging out of our homes, we can be picky about the shows and movies we watch and we can hide ads for weight loss on our social media (finally Instagram!). We can’t fully avoid these ads or keep our children from seeing them- so what do we do? We become a Critical Media Consumer and teach our children how to be as well!

What does it mean to be a Critical Media Consumer?

 

We recognize and acknowledge that the media influences us. We analyze media messages about beauty, success, social standards and compare them with our internal values and morals. We look at all media critically and ask ourselves questions to determine the purpose and impact of this media.

Tips for being a Critical Media Consumer:

·      Remember: Advertisements have ONE purpose- to get you to PURCHASE a product or service. Ask yourself, what are they trying to sell?

·      Once you figure out what they are selling, ask yourself, “What insecurity are they exploiting or social standard did they construct to sell this product?”

·      Limit your time around media and make sure to fit some “No Media Time” into each day. This could be going for a walk without your phone, taking a bath, meditating or playing with your pet mindfully. Connecting to the world without influences of media can help ground us.

·      Connect with your true core values to figure out what you believe versus what media has taught you to believe. You can do this by journaling, having an open discussion with a friend or partner, or doing a core values activity you find online. When we know that our core values are kindness, empathy and charity, it can help us to reject media messages that try to make us focus on other values. If you do find some of your values are tied up in image or status, explore these with a therapist or journal about them to figure out where they come from and how they impact you.

·      Use filters on social media to hide category advertisements that could impact your body image or self-esteem. I recommend hiding weight loss & diet ads, as well as clothing advertisements that could be triggering. I always hide posts from people with diet culture messages and click “hide posts like these”.

·      Talk back to the advertisement out-loud or in your head! It is a great example to set a precedent as a family that you will talk about and call out advertisements and diet culture messages whenever you see them. For example, “they are trying to sell their beauty cream by telling us wrinkles are bad!”. What a great example for kids!

·      Support brands with advertising you approve of or admire. Share them on your social media, write a letter or purchase their products.

·      Don’t support brands you don’t agree with. You can write to them as well, or call out their advertisements on social media. Public backlash from advertisements have gotten many advertisers to change or remove ads all together- that is powerful! You have a voice!

·      Be an example for those around you- talk about your body with care and respect. Show friends and family how to be critical media consumers and practice body respect & kindness!

·      Most importantly, practice self-compassion. Give yourself a break and grace. You have learned to have certain thoughts because of the media over many years- it will not change overnight! It will take a lot of practice to notice these advertisements and then talk back to them. It’s ok if you aren’t perfect at it! What matters is that you are aware and trying,

During eating disorder treatment, it is so important to manage media influences and be a critical media consumer. Advertisements can be very triggering when you are in the beginning of eating disorder recovery. You will need a strong eating disorder treatment team to help you navigate media messages you see every day.

If you or someone you know needs body image or eating disorder treatment in Ohio, please visit my site to learn more about eating disorder treatment in Ohio. I provide virtual eating disorder therapy services from Columbus, Ohio and work with teens and young adults in college. I treat anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa in adolescents in Ohio.

Schedule a free consultation call.

This blog is intended to be educational and informational and does not substitute for professional medical and therapeutic help, which is highly recommended when treating an eating disorder. If you would like help treating your child’s eating issues or want to learn more, Schedule a free consultation call today.