Cultural pressure is said to contribute to un attainable images of beauty that create pressure for meeting impossible standards. Socio-cultural factors get significant attention, especially in the media. Eating disorders tend to be more common in industrialized countries, however, this is changing as less developed parts of the world have access to new technology and become Westernized. Generally, cultural factors are thought to stress standards and ideals of beauty and thinness that are difficult, if not impossible to attain. These images of beauty have been said to be aimed mainly at women and act to oppress them by demanding conformity to transitory standards that come and go with time.
Anorexics are sensitive to society's influence and subsequent approval and disapproval.
As a result they attempt to attain the ideal societal perception that thin is superior and become obsessed with weight and body image. It is thought that self-worth is therefore equated with a slim appearance and vulnerability to eating disorders increases. Western culture is blamed for being obsessed with the human body and a lean and lithe appearance. Beauty is sold as the key to happiness and the ultimate goal. However powerful these influences may be socio-cultural factors should not be considered to be the only cause of eating disorders, but one ingredient in a complicated formula.