|
There's a myth that eating disorders only exist in the U.S. and Europe, which is ridiculous. They are rampant in East Asia and South America, and are even on the rise in a number of Africa countries.
The problem with East Asia and South America is that, like in America, the ultra-thin figure is worshipped. However, unlike in America, almost all of society actively encourages you to pursue the ultra-thin figure, like you gave with the example of fitness magazines showing a 5'3", 115 pound "before" model -- that would not happen in the U.S.A. There are similar problems with "nutritionists" in some South American countries who put women on 600-800 calorie diets to lose weight, whereas up here, few reputable doctors would recommend below 1200. There are many families in Brazil, for example, who would think nothing of telling their daughter, "You're too fat. Go on a diet." That kind of thing is much more frowned upon here, although of course it still does happen. To girls with tendencies towards eating disorders, comments like that can be devastating and very triggering.
The U.S. culture, while it worships thinness as an ideal, tends to have an overall push for the goal of healthiness rather than skinniness. The same is not true for some other countries.
|