Student Frequently Asked Questions

As EDV receives many requests for answers to student assignments regarding eating disorders, we have compiled the most frequently asked questions and answers below. Should you not find your answer here, please view the Student Assignments page.


What message do you think the mass media sends concerning appearance and body type?

The media certainly lacks diversity in body shape. It praises and idolizes celebrities who are thin and the fashion and advertising industries certainly give a message that thin equals happy, healthy and successful.


What can the media do to ensure the message it sends to the community regarding their appearance and bodies is positive?

We would like to see the media focus less on weight and more on healthy eating. We would also like to see more diversity and acceptance of body shapes in the media. The media tends to idolize body shapes that are largely unattainable to the average person and they tend to ridicule anyone who doesn't fit into a certain look. Less promotion of the diet industry and encouragement of eating and physical activities and behaviours that can be maintained on an ongoing basis would also lead to less reliance on the diet industry.


Do you think it is likely the majority of the media will do this? Why or why not?

The media probably won't do this. The diet industry is huge and a huge money spinner for the media. Advertisers also seem to feel that the community want to see ultra thin models and believes that this is how you sell products. We now seem obsessed with celebrities and this doesn't look like it will change anytime soon. What will our magazine write about then?


Do you think females have more value placed on their physical appearance by the media then men do? If yes, why do you think this is?

I think it ultimately comes down to advertising. There are a multitude of products aimed at men and they also have pressure on them to look a certain way. Eating disorders are less common in men, but they do exist (appox 10%)


Do you think that the coverage of the 'obesity epidemic' in Australia could cause a rise in the number of teenage girls suffering from eating disorders?

Definitely! The fear of obesity can sometimes panic parents into sending counterproductive messages to their children. Instead of talking to their children about eating nutritious and balanced diets to be healthy, the message is reaching young people that you may get fat. Obesity is obviously a great health issue, but we need to be mindful of some people can potentially take the obesity message the wrong way. The message we are generally sending young people is that thin equals healthy, happy and successful, however this is often at the expense of celebrating diversity in body shapes and accepting that we all come in different shapes and sizes and that you can be healthy at different weights.


Do you think the media has much of an effect on whether someone will or will not develop an eating disorder, or is it primarily internally driven?

The causes of eating disorders are very complex. It is usually a combination of several factors that will see a person develop an eating disorder. Does a person develop an eating disorder because they see skinny models on the catwalk or because of the media? No, but there are some people who are particularly vulnerable to constructed messages of idealised thinness and it may be a contributing factor for these people.

As young people grow and developed they are influenced by many different things and the media and the fashion industry can be key influencers. Their parents and family, teachers, friends and community members all play vital roles in shaping people. However, the media also has an extensive influence. On any given day, people are bombarded with media messages on the TV, radio, in the news and magazines, on outdoor billboards and in shops. It is hard to sort out what's real or not, and more difficult not to succumb to the pressure of looking and acting a certain way.


How does advertising in which children are made to look like adults, affect children?

The number of ads sexualising children - i.e., portraying children in adult clothing, boys in mature masculine roles and young girls with make-up and inappropriate 'sexy' clothing - is increasing, and is extremely concerning. Aside from subtly pushing people to idealise certain body types, this imagery is also putting pressure on younger and younger children to appear more mature. Research has shown how this can negatively impact on self-esteem, and lead to sexual stereotypes.  


What is the level of the responsibility of modeling agents/organisations to the general public?

EDV feels that modeling agencies need to take a greater responsibility in portraying greater diversity of body shape to the community. By constantly using ultra-skinny models, modeling agencies are "normalizing" skinny as the normal. It also has the flow on effect of building a culture in which ultra thin is too aspired to but, in many cases, ultra thin is unattainable and unsustainable for many people in the community. Societal issues aside, EDV also feels that model agencies simply have a duty of care to their employees to ensure that they are healthy. It is no different than other employees in other industries. We are all outraged when we hear stories of unsafe work practices in the building industry or truck drivers that are forced to drive long distances without sleep. Why should we then think it is ok for models to be expected to be underweight simply because it is an industry norm?


Does Eating Disorders Victoria identify any regulatory, authoritative or influential organisations or publications that may be accountable for such a distortion of body image within the fashion industry?

It is difficult to single out individual organisations. That said, it seems that higher end fashion seems to more likely to rely heavily on ultra-thin models and high end fashion designers have a reputation of producing clothing samples in extra small sizes which means models chosen need to be extremely thin simply to fit the sample sizes provided.


What is Eating Disorders Victoria response to the recent National Advisory on body image board recommendations to the government? What points may prove to be most valuable and possibly successful? ie.  Regulatory sizing, education in schools or BMI requirements.

Please see media release of 2008 that address these points. EDV's position remains the same today and has recently made similar recommendations to the Victoria Government's body image committee.


Through Eating Disorders Victoria's experience with sufferers of distorted body image, what are the main risk groups and why?

It is very difficult to generalise about any group that may be susceptible to an eating disorder or body image distortion. That said, research has indicated that there can be some personality characteristics that can see some people more likely to be affected.

Factors such as low self esteem, excessive dieting, perfectionism, pressures to succeed and achieve and even physical changes associated with adolescence or later body changes such as aging or pregnancy can all contribute to the development of body image issues and eating disorders in more severe cases.


Are there a growing number of young females with eating disorders over the last 5-10 years?

Statistics do suggest that there is an increase in eating disorders in all age groups. However, it is difficult to determine whether there is just better recording of admissions/treatment or incidences of eating disorders. Either way, there certainly hasn't been a decrease!


How can parents protect their children/teenagers from eating disorders and body image dissatisfaction?

You can help protect your children by enhancing their sense of self acceptance, self-esteem, and self-worth. Encourage them in strengthening life skills such as social skills and improved communication, including negotiation, assertiveness, and media literacy skills. Find ways for young people to experience success, achievement and purpose and develop resilience to cope with life's challenges. Help your children value diverse body shapes including their own. In addition, help them appreciate what their body can do, not just how it looks. Importantly, foster a sense of connectedness with your child at home. This can be achieved through spending time together, doing activities together, having regular family meals together.  

As much as you can talk to your child, your non-verbal actions mean more. Think about your own attitude towards body image, appearance, weight, dieting and food.
o Do you emphasise high achievement or perfectionism?
o What is your communication style like?
o How do you respond emotionally?
o Do you find it hard to allow others independence?
o What kind of behaviour and attitudes are you role-modelling?


Why do teenage girls generally have such a high rate of eating disorders?

Eating disorders can affect people of all age groups and genders but eating disorders do often develop in the adolescent years. Eating disorders can often develop in teenage girls as a result of other deeper psychological and social issues. The bombardment of media images to look a certain way can also add to a sense of insecurity, low self esteem and negative body image. For some adolescents, an eating disorder can initially develop from a feeling that if they can control their weight or eating they will feel better about themselves. Some however, can take this to the extreme and the eating disorder starts to control their behaviours and becomes an overwhelming force in their lives. (Some of the answers to the previous question apply here as well).

Eating disorders are generally a person's way of coping with a situation or emotions that they feel they have no control over. An eating disorder is usually not about food or eating. Controlling food or weight, however, can become a coping mechanism for someone who may feel out of control in other areas of their lives.

Teenagers often have a great deal of pressure on them. These pressures can include body changes, study pressures, pressure to look a certain way, family conflicts and peer pressure. Key risk factors in developing an eating disorder include low self esteem and dieting, and these are often experienced by teenagers. Often the failure to control other aspects in their lives can result in some people engaging in disordered eating practices which in their own way can bring comfort or a sense of accomplishment for the person and can result in the development of an eating disorder.


Are eating disorders ever a choice?

No, eating disorders are a mental illness and not a choice. Eating disorders are extremely complex with social, psychological and biological factors all playing a part in varying degrees for different people.


Isn't body image a teenage problem?

The roots of the problem can start much earlier than the teenage years.  While many teens experience body image dissatisfaction, developmental psychology research demonstrates that children start forming ideas of body image as young as age three! Bearing this in mind, some parents have decided not to buy dolls or figurines that emulate unrealistic body types such as ultra-thin and wrongly proportioned females or muscular male action figures. By school age, girls fear looking fat more than losing their parents, getting cancer or a nuclear war (Cramer & Steinwert, 1998). Further, the fashion industry markets clothes and other products along with certain images and behaviours to 'tweens:' pre-teen aged consumers.


Why are people so concerned with eating disorders?

Eating disorders are dangerous psychological illnesses with serious physical consequences. Left untreated they can have a serious effect on all aspects of a person's life and is potentially life threatening. Sadly, eating disorders are occurring at younger ages and becoming more prevalent. They affect both girls and boys, regardless of socio-economic status, cultural background, or education. Eating disorders in children are caused by a variety of interacting factors including: personality and psychological factors, situational, family, biological and social factors. However, two major risk factors are dieting and poor body image.


Why should parents be concerned about body image?

Poor body image can affect anyone and will probably impinge on everyone at one point or another in their lives. Children can be especially vulnerable. Poor body image will affect their self esteem and their confidence, which in turn can influence how they socialise, play, learn and develop. Body image dissatisfaction is also a major risk factor for the development of eating disorders - hence it's important to be aware of children's body image and self-esteem. Further, parents are powerful influences on children. Their views about ideal weight and shape, food and eating, health and beauty can shape children's attitudes about themselves and others.


Do you think there is any value in having an "online community" which pro ana websites promote, in which people with eating disorders can communicate?

Unfortunately many people with eating disorders see the pro ana or mia websites as places where they can find understanding and support for their eating disorders however this can be very destructive as the main aim of these websites is to give advice, tips and encouragement to continue engaging in dangerous behaviours to maintain an eating disorder rather than encourage treatment and recovery.

Many people who suffer from an eating disorder often feel very isolated and depressed and may find it difficult to accept that they require professional treatment. Therefore, they can be very vulnerable to information that encourages them to continue with their eating disorder rather than seek help.


Is the "pro-ana" phenonemon perhaps completely different to anorexia itself?

That's a very interesting question and one which has caused a bit of debate around the office here. It is difficult to know what motivates someone to develop a pro-ana website. Yes, there are some who do suffer from an eating disorder and feel compelled to share their experiences and advice with others but the internet can be an anonymous tool and in many cases we may never know.


Do you think banning pro-ana websites would have much of an effect?

There is a lot of debate as to whether a ban would be effective and enforceable and unfortunately, we don't have a lot of research on the subject. It will be very interesting to see how the proposed French ban will work. The internet is a global tool and is extremely difficult to regulate. We would obviously like to see some further research done into the issue and measures introduced in Australia if research suggests it will be effective.


How can the general public tackle this issue as a whole and also how can they address individuals concerns?

We would love to see people develop a much more accepting and tolerant attitude towards others. People also need to understand that diets don't work and that in the end excessive dieters will usually end up heavier in the end, not to mention the psychological impact of constant dieting.

We would also like to see the community become more media literate - that is to understand that what they see in magazines is not real and is instead the product of hours of digital manipulation and models spending hours in hair and make-up.

We would also like to see the advertising, fashion and media taking more of a lead by showing readers greater diversity in body shape in their publications and also understanding the implications of constantly debating celebrity weight loss and weight gain and constant promotion and reliance on the diet industry.


Are there "eating" protective factors?

Yes; providing cooking and tasting experiences, as well as conveying messages that food is for body nourishment, pleasure, social and taste, help children develop healthy relationships with food and eating. In addition, be mindful to not label food as "good" or "bad" and instead refer to certain foods as "occasional", or" sometimes" foods. Further, you can encourage young people to tune into their body signals for hunger and satiety and explore alternatives to food for rewards or soothing emotions.