It is almost impossible to open a newspaper or magazine, listen to the radio, shop in a mall, or turn on the TV without being confronted with the message that being fat means being undesirable (eating influence). average 1). One study showed that women experience an average of 13 negative thoughts about their bodies every day, while ninety-seven percent of women admit to having at least one “I hate my body” moment every day (Media Influence 1). The media portrays “perfect people” as the thin, desirable people you see in magazines and on television. “Although thin models are not the cause of eating disorders, they can be a trigger or a factor in the maintenance of an eating disorder (Pearson, Catherine 1). In other words, if a woman has a predisposition for an eating disorder and spends a lot of time looking at fashion magazines, this can be one of the factors that trigger a sense of discomfort towards her own body, which then turns into a behavior of eating disorder, such as excessive dieting (it's the media's fault 1).” The media should not be responsible for a person's self-esteem issues. Eating disorders are complex conditions that arise from a combination of long-standing behavioral, biological, emotional, psychological, interpersonal, and social factors (factors that may contribute to eating disorders). 1). Scientists and researchers are still learning about the underlying causes of these emotionally and physically harmful conditions (Factors that May Contribute to Eating Disorders 1). While eating disorders may initially seem to be tied solely to food and weight concerns, those who suffer from them often try to use food and food control to cope with feelings and emotions that might otherwise seem overwhelming, on the other hand for some, dieting, binge eating and purging may begin...... middle of paper......uk/femail/article-2444622/Thigh-gap-Eating-disorder-experts-slam-social-media -fueling-dangerous-trend.html “Is the media responsible for eating disorders?” The main website for online debate. Debate.org, January 1, 2013. Web. April 21, 2014. .Reed, S. (n.d.). EATING DISORDERS AND THE MEDIA. csun.edu. Retrieved April 22, 2014, from http://www.csun.edu/~sm60012/GRCS-Files/Final%20Projects/EATING%20DISORDERS%20AND%20THE%20MEDIA.htmTeen Health and the Media. (n.d.). Adolescent health and the media. Retrieved April 22, 2014, from http://depts.washington.edu/thmedia/view.cgi?section=bodyimage&page=fastfacts"What causes an eating disorder?". Underlying causes. Sheppard Pratt Health System, January 1, 2014. Web. April 22. 2014. .