Some progress has been made in recent years by the Body Positivity Movement working to expand the conceptualization of physical beauty, but concerns about eating disorders remain. It has been long known that electronic media play an instrumental role in broadcasting images of ideally thin or muscular bodies which, in turn, demoralize various segments of the public (Derenne & Beresin, 2006). The situation has changed in some ways, but not necessarily for the better. There have been widespread changes in Western culture since 2006 with the dominant media being the Internet and digital media and its effects on body image and eating disorders. Our daily media intake has drastically shifted from broadcast systems to computers and handheld digital devices. Online capabilities include most notable access to social media and websites filled with a glut of commentary, photographs, and criticism. We now all live, if we choose to do lead a digital lifestyle, in an ongoing reality show. The results are increased body image dissatisfaction, stress, and dysfunctional behaviors. Living in a “selfie culture” allows us access to instantaneous images of others—usually in the most flattering poses—and doctored by PhotoShop and cropping techniques. The continuous documentation of the self-disclosure of one’s life and body as well have yielded mixed results in the scientific literature. Some studies say that social media use is helpful if focused on building community and promoting supportive social interactions. But when it is used for self-comparisons to others there follow increasing rates of depression, anxiety, negative body image, and disordered eating behaviors (Derenne & Beresin, 2018).
The Internet is a major reference source for many people regarding health, yet some portions of it serve dysfunctional purposes such as the pro-anorexia websites that promote disordered eating behaviors and coach users as to how best execute them. Some providers have shut down these sites, but not others. Policing them is a difficult issue. Many eating disordered users seek out these sites for belonging, validation, and support which, of course, just make their illness worse. Many may be triggered by viewing online documentaries, body mass index imagery, or purchasing caloric-monitoring devices. On the other hand, the Internet offers much accurate information and learned commentary on proper eating, nutrition, and healthy body weight (Derenne & Beresin, 2018). It is both a field of flowers as well as a field of landmines.
While there is no “magic bullet” cure for disordered eating, research over the past twenty years offers a variety of “tools for the toolkit.” These suggestions come from the American Academy of Pediatrics, US department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health, and other scientific sources.
- Help children and adolescents develop a healthy relationship with food by serving healthy meals on a regular schedule without skipping meals. Never use food as a reward for desired behavior.
- Don’t force children to eat if they are not hungry or use food restriction as punishment.
- Encourage family meals.
- Engage in healthy exercise behaviors with children. Encourage them to participate in organized sports.
- Talk children about unhealthy, unrealistic standards of beauty. Teach them to identify what is realistic versus unrealistic.
- Be accepting of other body types and encourage children to do so as well.
- Discourage fat talk and body comparison discussions.
- Shift the emphasis on the value of appearance toward the value of the actual person and their interests and feelings.
- Monitor social media use and limit its use. Model healthy use of this media.
- Likewise with video games. Access online reviews of these games to ascertain their content.
- Do not use computer or phone screens to soothe children as this can lead to self-dysregulating behaviors in the future.
- Engage in frequent discussion of appropriate online behaviors and netiquette: not sharing information, being suspicious of strangers, sexting, and cyberbullying.
- Be aware of children are accessing negative websites or negative advertisements. Take this opportunity of listening to their thoughts and concerns and engaging in healthy problem-solving behaviors.
In closing, digital media has overtaken other electronic media in the daily lives of much of the population. This leads to many potential perils regarding the viewing of body images or exchanging them with others resulting in anxiety, stress, and depression as well as disordered eating and compulsive exercise. Adult caregivers need to become more informed about these issues and what their children are accessing. It is the adult’s responsibility to model good behavior, explore body image issues with their children, develop healthy lifestyles, and redefine what it means to be beautiful or attractive on a personal level (Derenne & Beresin, 2018).
Paul Shane, Ph.D., LMT
Director, Academic Content
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References
Derenne, J. & Beresin, E. (2006). Body image, media, and eating disorders. Academy of Psychiatry 30(3), p. 257–61.
Derenne, J. & Beresin, E. (2018). Body image, media, and eating disorders—A 10-year update. Academy of Psychiatry 42, p. 129-134.