There has always been a controversy between the media and its connection with eating disorders among girls and boys. Then in the fall of 1999 a study was published by Achieves of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine that stated it found teen age body image to be greatly influenced by what they see on television and in movies and magazines. While many people already suspected that there was a connection, it wasn't until studies like these came out that proved the connection. In the study, young women were asked questions about their body image and how it was influenced by the media. Many of the girls said that they were making an effort to look like the females they see in the media.
             Young girls learn at an early age that they would be evaluated on the basis of physical appearance and the advertising in magazines confirms that. Television also has an impact on young girls. A study of Saturday morning toy commercials found that 50% of commercials aimed at girls spoke only about physical appearance. The pressure to keep the ideal body weight just increases as one gets older. Young girls begin to read teen magazines and advertising is a large part of that media. Constant exposure to these advertisements influences girls to become self conscious about their bodies and to obsess over their bodies and to obsess over their physical appearance as a measure of worth. As one can see, there is an influence from the media that contributes to eating disorders.
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