Impact of Mass Media on Eating Disorders in Fiji

Dr. Anne Becker, a professor at Harvard Medical School, discusses her research on the impact of mass media on eating disorders in Fiji. Fiji was chosen due to its remote location and late introduction of broadcast television in the mid-1990s. Before TV, eating disorders were rare in Fiji, a culture that traditionally valued larger bodies. A study conducted before and after TV's introduction showed a significant increase in purging behaviors among girls, highlighting the influence of media on cultural norms and health behaviors.

Who is Dr. Anne Becker?

• A journalist

• A nutritionist in Fiji

• A television producer

• A professor at Harvard Medical School

Why was Fiji chosen as a study location for mass media's impact on eating disorders?

• It is close to the United States

• It has a high rate of eating disorders

• It was one of the last places to get television

• It has a large population

What was unique about the timing of television's introduction in Fiji?

• It was one of the last places to receive TV

• It coincided with a major political event

• It happened in the early 1900s

• It was the first country to get TV

What was the cultural attitude towards body size in Fiji before the introduction of television?

• Preference for smaller bodies

• Indifference to body size

• Value placed on larger bodies

• Focus on athletic bodies

What was the main cultural value related to body size in Fiji before TV?

• Height

• Larger bodies

• Muscularity

• Thinness

What was the main finding of the study conducted after television was introduced in Fiji?

• More interest in local culture

• Increase in purging to control weight

• Decrease in body dissatisfaction

• No change in eating behaviors

What method was used to study the impact of television on eating disorders in Fiji?

• Case study analysis

• Cross-sectional survey

• Prospective two-wave cohort study

• Randomized controlled trial

What was the focus of the study's indicator for pathological behavior?

• Television viewing hours

• Dieting frequency

• Exercise habits

• Purging to control weight

How did the introduction of television affect the indigenous population in Fiji?

• It improved overall health

• It led to increased purging behaviors

• It had no effect

• It decreased interest in Western culture

What was the significance of the study's findings?

• It demonstrated the influence of media on eating disorders

• It highlighted a new health trend

• It proved television is beneficial

• It showed no cultural impact