Expert: Cheri Purpur - 10/10/2004

Question
Hi Cheri,

I know this isnt the type of question you usually answer but I am wondering what you think the effects of makeover reality shows like "extreme makeover" and "the swan" are on young women (teens and young adults) self esteem and what problems, if any, you think could come from them.

Thanks, Leila  

Answer
Hello Leila. Unfortunately, these shows just continue the very damaging message that the most important thing is to have the perfect body and that everything can be "fixed" by changing the outside. Food issues and eating disorders are all about the mind- NOT the body. Only when the person does the HARD work of evaluating their feelings and traumas will the eating behaviors change. We eat BECAUSE of what has happened to us. Only when we can heal the damage does the body change. All the best- Cheri.