Information on Recent Films

Analysis on Portrayal of Disorder

This information also shows that women are most likely to be portrayed as having “anorexia” more often than men. According to the National Association for Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, “At least 30 million people of all ages and genders suffer from an eating disorder in the U.S” and yet all of the depictions in the last twenty years have been portrayed as women. Women’s Health is a website that answers some of the questions as to why females are more susceptible to anorexia nervosa and bulimia; body image. They mention that “Girls and women with negative thoughts and feelings about their bodies are more likely to develop certain mental health conditions, such as eating disorders and depression” and therefore “Anorexia affects more girls and women than boys and men”

Most of these films seem to be perpetuating a stereotype of females being the only gender to be affected by body image. However, according to Eatingdisorderhope.com, “Research shows that 25% of those struggling with anorexia and bulimia and 40% of those struggling with binge eating disorder are male.” Regarding inclusion, yes, films are providing more diversity in the portrayal of these disorders, but there are especially moments where stereotypes are perpetuated.