The average weight of the American woman has increased over the past 15 years, while the desired body size has decreased.  This discrepancy between actual weight and ideal weight may be the reason for the increased in eating disorders.  Low self-esteem, negative body image, depression, anxiety, feelings of inadequecy and self control are all major factors of an eating disorder.  Interpersonal factors that can contribute to ED are diffifculty with expressing emotions and feelings, history of being teased about weight, and sexual abuse.  Social factors include cultural pressures to be thin and perfect and cultural norms that value physical appearance rather than inner qualities.  Also, in the past 10 years I've notice the increased pressure not only to be thin, but to be physically fit as well.  I hope this little information helps those who may have an ED or are already suffering, remember that you're beautiful just the way you are, and that your inner qualities ARE more important than just the way you look.

I've noticed more people with eating disorders, and now there's all these sites promoting anorexia and bulimia.  Having an eating disorders is like cutting yourself short in life, to overcome it, you have to reverse a lifetime's perspective.  You have to strive to basically overcome yourself, it's a daily struggle, but in the end, worth it.

It seems like children are developing eating disorders at younger ages now.  My girlfriend is a psychologist and she's seen kids as young as 7 and 9 year olds coming in because they feel they are fat.  I don't know if it's the media and it's making kids believe that it's better to be on a diet, but that's kind of sad to me.  Parents need to do more about making sure their kids have a positive body image so that they don't end up having low self-esteem for no reason.