While i feel like media has the furthest reaching influence on eating disorders, i thought that i should point out that i do not fell that media is not the only reason that people develop eating disorders. There are many factors that lead to a person developing an eating disorder. Recently, i read a news article talking about the correlation between a dieting mother and the prevalence of her daughter acquiring an eating disorder. The results of the survey discussed in this news article indicated that girls who saw their mother dieting frequently were more likely to have problems with disordered eating.
While this was not a scientific study, it does present some useful information. Parents should be mindful of what they are teaching their children about body image and self confidence.
If you know a family member who is showing signs of having an eating disorder, be loving and supportive, not judgmental. Do your best to help them help themselves.
I too think the same thing about that statistic and it completely makes sense. We do turn out like our parents, they are the prime model that we mimic in our lives, we do what they do. If they diet and think themselves fat we will too.
I have seen this is so many of my friends lives. If their mom or parents are weird about food and what they eat the children are usually the same way. Sad but true.