Researchers at the University of Minnesota found that young girls who read magazine articles about dieting are more likely to develop eating disorders five years later. There was no similar effect on boys who read such articles.
Scientists at the University of Minnesota surveyed 2516 middle schoolers in 1999 and then again five years later. About 44% of the girls were reading diet articles in 1999. This group was more likely to develop bulimia and other eating disorders by 2004. It did not matter if the girls were overweight or even if they thought that losing weight was important.
Did their mothers' interest in dieting affect the girls? Did pictures of thin models cause them to develop eating disorders? The researchers did not answer such questions.
Posted By: Aspen Education Group
