Hi. I was looking through the Internet and I read some of your outstanding articles. I was wondering if you could help me. I am doing a research paper on the effects of society (media) on teenage woman and their "image" and the cause of eating disorders. I am getting a lot of great information on what eating disorders are and what they felt like but I was looking for more information on society, image, and the media. If you could help me that would be greatly appeciated.

You should check out Naomi Wolf's book The Beauty Myth--also Joan Brumberg's Fasting Girls. Both have information on the problem as well as what causes it--i.e. society's impact.

Also, there is a great article that appeared in Essence Magazine--June, 1993--called "Dying To Be Thin."

Another interesting fact is that anorexia and bulimia are listed as "mental health" diseases. That alone is a good way to introduce your paper. While it is a disease, it is one that is controlled by the head more than the body. I hope the above helps--good luck.

—Amy