Julia explains just what is going on here. Occasionally, we all look at an overweight person and say to ourselves that we can't let ourselves gain so much weight, but anorexics and bulimics don't concern themselves with what they think of other people. They're more concerned with what other people think of them. Eating disorders are more socially and environmentally influenced than anything else. The desire to become thinner usually isn't an idea that just pops into a girl's head.
Girls are taught by society, including their family and the media, that thin is wonderful.
Guys from a young age are taught to be big and buff, and although males, too, suffer from eating disorders, that number is much smaller than the number of women. She was first shaken up when a close friend died of dehydration and complications of anorexia. My recovery really started picking up as soon as I got into posing for art classes. Then I began eating regularly. Getting thinner is so minor compared to the negatives that come with eating disorders.