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Media Messages and Eating Disorders: Taste and Price of a Message

Author

Listed:
  • Attila Forgács

    (Institute of Behavioural Sciences and Communication Theory, Corvinus University of Budapest, Hungary
    Faculty of Psychology, Eötvös Lóránd University, Budapest, Hungary)

  • Enikő Bóna

    (Institute of Behavioral Sciences, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary)

  • Tímea Csíkos

    (Psychological Doctoral Programme, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary)

  • Helga Metercsik

    (Institute of International Studies, Pázmány Péter Catholic University, Budapest, Hungary)

Abstract

Eating habits have become increasingly irrational in the last century; a variety of eating disorders have appeared. Obesity seems to be impossible to cure. Nowadays, the impact of media-marketing is the most powerful social influence on eating habits. Media has five main messages on eating and the body: 1. “Be thin!” 2. “Consume and eat!” 3. “Be afraid of food!” 4. “Food will disappear!” 5. “You are not feminine / masculine enough!” Most of these messages and directions are inconsistent with each other: e.g. “Buy and eat more, but remain thin!” The double-bind communication of media-marketing is pathogenic and schizoid. Food-related media messages are multi-layered and contradictory on many levels, so it would be more appropriate to talk about a multiple bind. The paper offers new communication strategies in order to manage the chaotic information on eating and to decrease the inconsistencies on the topic.

Suggested Citation

  • Attila Forgács & Enikő Bóna & Tímea Csíkos & Helga Metercsik, 2018. "Media Messages and Eating Disorders: Taste and Price of a Message," Society and Economy, Akadémiai Kiadó, Hungary, vol. 40(3), pages 401-415, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:aka:soceco:v:40:y:2018:i:3:p:401-415
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