ABSTRACT
Eating disorders have become so prevalent that they are now considered one of the most widespread psychiatric problems faced by women and girls (Stice, 2002). In today’s society, the pressure to be thin can emanate from a variety of sources including sociocultural factors (e.g., peer influences), family factors (e.g., enmeshment and criticism), negative affect, low self-esteem, and body dissatisfaction (Polivy & Herman, 2002). Body dissatisfaction and dieting are especially pervasive among adolescent girls and young women due to the portrayal of models, movie stars, and diet aids (Costin, 1999). In addition, eating disorders cause many health and psychological hazards to the lives of their victims. If serious enough, they can even cause death (Grave, 2003; Kohn & Golden, 2001).
