SA media blamed for eating disorders

The health department has largely blamed the media for being the major contributor in the causes of eating disorders. Andiswa Ngqaka, the department’s deputy director for nutrition, says obesity is the common problem resulting from eating disorders in the country.

Ngqaka says the media's portrayal of ideal beauty through skinny models mould the public's view of how life should be. Ngqaka says the department has been having meeting with fast food outlets to ensure that they include healthier options in their menus.

Meanwhile, Aurelia Dyantyi, a Lifestyle magazine journalist, says the media should not be made a scapegoat for people's eating problems. She says skinny models will always be portrayed as the ideal beauty.