Introduction

Eating disorders are complex and difficult to define as they are diagnosed based on a person’s relationship with food, which can vary greatly between healthy individuals. The majority of health professionals would agree that an eating disorder has manifested itself when this relationship has become destructive and is threatening the individual’s health.                                        

Eating disorders are often considered as largely psychological problems, as sufferers often use them as a coping mechanism for other problems they are facing. However, they also have a strong biological basis, which may explain why some people are predisposed to developing an eating disorder.

The role of the media in the development of eating disorders is a blurred one. Various sources feed us images of the ‘perfect figure’ and present us with a distorted idea of what we ought to look like. With such an array of influences shaping our views on the ideal body type, it isn’t difficult to see how so many individuals gain insecurities regarding their image. Eating disorders often result from a lack of self esteem and pressure to look a certain way, however the leap from a lack of body confidence to the development of an eating disorder is considerable and it should be noted that eating disorders do not stem from media pressure alone.

 Image courtesy of Rachel Hardwick

Banner image courtesy of Mike Dykstra