We cannot overlook the other factors at play when a young woman or man develops an eating disorder. While you focus only on women in your post, I just want to add that men are just as objectified in the media as women, and suffer from the tyrrany of the unrealistic ideal of a six-pack abdomen and perfect pecks just as well.

While corporatations are guilty of taking advantage of our insecurities for profit, I think the real work begins at home. A child with a healthy self-esteem and parents that don’t micro-manage her every action and morsel of intake is far less likely to develop an eating disorder.

In a capitalist society it is virtually impossible to control corporate greed and power. Individuals and communities can fight back with counter culture but it has to be an ever evolving process because corporations will adjust and commercialize the backlash. The only real way to become free is to break the addiction of consumerism. Stop Feeding the beast, and it will look for food elsewhere. Ok, that is my rant for the morning. Thanks Jane.