Anorexia/Bulimia and eating disorders Options

[Tung]

Is it an actual disease, like genetically, or just us being "conceited" and trying to fit the "norm" and be skinny. I read somewhere in one of my Woman Studies course readers, that it was highly believed for many years, that anorexia was just a mental and social thing that girls or boys dealt with because of the social barrings and peer pressure. But like recently they discovered like this anorexia thing is an actual disease? I'm not all so sure, but just want to know your take on this.

Reason for edit: It's spelled "bulimia." ;] - Cristy

[eeonz]

Another factor is that there are a lot of bad female role models out there. Actresses and singers who make a big deal out of their crash diets and size zero status. What kind of message is that sending out to teenage girls? Women in the media are often portrayed as underweight, yet men are nearly always shown as ideal weight, with lots of muscle.