Obesity has a major effect on children around the world. In the United States, the highest rates of obesity are among African-American girls. Being overweight is linked to many psychological risk factors. Body dissatisfaction is being okay with one's overall weight/height. Although being in agreement with one's overall appearance is a characteristic aspect of body esteem. African American girls generally did not demonstrate emotional distress regarding self-assessment of their weight. Although African American girls are unhappy with their bodies, this does not lead them to rate their overall appearance. (Dalton et al. 2011) The increase in eating pathologies is partly due to the media. The thin and unrealistic images of models in the media compared to the real image of women. Exposure to images of slender models could lead to restricted diet and several other risk factors. In an experiment Field conducted, they found that men who sought to emulate models in the media used products to improve their appearance. Researchers Anschutz, Strien and Engels said that about 20,000 television commercials are viewed by adolescents in the United States each year. Companies use slim and attractive models to promote their products. Social comparison suggests that the person analyzes his or her own appearance in a negative light after observing extremely attractive people. (Anschutz, Van Strien & Engels, 2011) Research conducted in the United States reveals that approximately 40% of adolescent girls are unhappy with their bodies. About 48% of girls aged 9 to 12 were completely dissatisfied with their bodies and 22% thought they were too "fat." (Halliwell, Easun & Harcourt, 2011) Worry about body dissatisfaction contributes to negative emotion...... middle of paper ...... iction in restrained eaters. Psychology of Popular Media Culture, 1(S), 48-59. doi:10.1037/2160-4134.1.S.48Harriger, J. & Thompson, J. (2012). Hollywood and the obsession with the perfect body. Sex Roles,66(9/10), 695-697.Chase, K. (2009). Young people and eating disorders… “Influences of eating disorders in prepubescent children” (February 2009, vol. 47, no. 2, pp. 21-24). Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 47(7), 7. doi:10.3928/02793695-20090701-08Hawkins, N., Richards, P., Granley, H., & Stein, D.M. (2004). The impact of exposure to the thin and ideal media image on women. Eating Disorders: The Journal Of Treatment & Prevention, 12(1), 35-50. doi:10.1080/10640260490267751Adolescent health and the media. (nd). Adolescent health and the media. Accessed May 5, 2014, from http://depts.washington.edu/thmedia/view.cgi?section=bodyimage&page=fastfacts