Advertising and the media in eating disorders

Abstract

The media, by means of advertising, convey an ideal of unreal beauty associated with positive traits such as popularity, esteem, acceptance, intelligence, etc. This can be one of the factors that compromise emotional and physical health, being responsible for creating unrealistic expectations and body dissatisfaction, and exerting a very important influence on the triggering or maintenance of bad eating habits that can lead to eating disorders. The youngest population has a low capacity to anticipate the harmful effects of certain messages with commercial interests, and this requires implementing preventive programs based on media education, accompanied by modeling in the family nucleus to promote a healthy lifestyle.