Eating Disorders

It is estimated that seven million American girls have an eating disorder. One in 200 women have suffered from anorexia and two-three in 100 women have suffered from bulimia. While some people think girls suffer from eating disorders because they have low self-esteem, and their friends are doing it, the major cause of eating disorders is society.

Most people say that girls have eating disorders because they have low self-esteem and because their friends are doing it. Having low self-esteem can happen because of a lot of things. Every day, girls are being pressured about their weight and if they are "fat" or not. That's all you hear people talking about. A lot of girls will get made fun of at school for being over-weight or even being a little bit larger than everybody else. You always hear everyone talking about eat disorders, but if you're going to make of fun of someone how is that supposed to help? Exactly. Since your friends might be doing it, you will want to fit in and do it too. They also might be peer pressuring you. Not everyone can handle peer pressure and will give in very easily.

I on the other hand; believe the major reason of girls suffering from eating disorders is the impact of society. A lot of times celebrities have seen as skinny and always going on diets. Or even you have to be petite to become famous. Yes, there's a few that are not exactly petite but very few. Famous people are often role models of young girls and you can always hear little girls saying, "I want to be just like her." Now, when they grow up and they aren't exactly like that person, they are going to try everything to be like that role model. Also, in movies there is always a "popular" girl and always a "nerdy" girl. Which one is perfect, and which is one has a bunch of problems? The girl that is perfect is physically fit and just perfect. The one that might be a "nerd" is not so perfect. As a young girl you would probably rather be the perfect girl. If I were always watching movies with that kind of situation, I would want to be just like the girl everybody likes. Last, toys or dolls set a example for young girls. Barbie, for example is a role model for a large amount of girls. Dolls are definitely made to perfection. When you are young you're always around toys and dolls, which would make you think this is how everybody should be. Well, when they grow up it will be hard to accept the fact that nobody can be perfect. Society has a huge impact on young girls, everywhere.

As you can see, having an eating disorder can be because of a lot of reasons. Having a low self-esteem and because their friends are doing it are just minor reasons. Society has a big impact on young girls and can affect them in various different ways, including having an eating disorder.