Advertisements depicting skinny figures may push some women into eating disorders

Many experts say that eating disorders are really not about weight, but more about how people are feeling internally. Some people starve themselves in an effort to fit into a clique of individuals who are self-image conscious, while others eat excessively and then purge.

For instance, Janna Price, who suffered from bulimia, said she used to turn on the movie "Dirty Dancing" and run on the treadmill until the closing credits, the Orange County Register reports.

She cited the constant barrage of advertisements depicting skinny women as the main culprit for her pushing herself to the brink of exhaustion to maintain a fit body. Experts say that eating disorders are often shrouded in shame and secrecy. Many individuals who have suffered from the disorder also struggle with depression or anxiety.

Parents who find their children are suffering from an eating disorder may wish to enroll them in schools of troubled children. These learning institutions can help people overcome their addictions.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, between 85 and 90 percent of bulimia cases occur in women.