Come to think of it, the media and capitalism promote other things apart from anorexic models. Athletes are a good example. They get a lot of coverage and adulation, and female athletes are not anorexic at all. They can't afford to be. There is also a large industry for products, services and advertising relating to sports and exercise for women. I wouldn't be at all surprised if this has just as much influence as the fashion industry, or even more. How many people really pay that much attention to the fashion industry?
Females athletes aren't promoted as a sexy body ideal, no good in the attraction of a mate. Too much muscles, or toning is a turn off so I am always told/shown.
Maybe something that people keep forgetting here is that anorexia isn't just about attaining the ideal body type, since the starvation takes you beyond anything that remotely resembles sexy. It's also about control.
Puberty, bullying, abuse, sexual abuse etc, are all triggers to anorexia, not just images in the magazines.
I wasn't raised in a family that valued skinny. In fact in morocco curves were more attractive in a potential wife. My self esteem issues aren't just weigh related though so moroccans still played their part. However I never really started starving myself until I was 17, after being raped. I seemed to just naturally stop eating. Tell myself it was about being slim. If I was in control of something, than I was in control.
It's an OCD in it's own way. At the height of it I had a regimented eating plan. Breaking down bits of bread in a specific way, repetively, as if my life depended on getting it right.
I see all this talk about the push from the media, but isn't that ignoring the other parts of anorexia that have nothing to do with weight at all?