The media are often criticized for bombarding society with images of ultra-thin models and actresses. We are social beings, and take what we see on TV as the norm. We are all exposed to the same images, however, and not everyone develops an eating disorder, so we can't blatantly blame the media. We can choose to turn on Fox and watch Ally McBeal, or not. However, the media strongly contribute to how we feel about ourselves.
Summers suggests trying a media block-out for about two weeks.
According to Summers, we need to change our social attitudes and ideas about what is beautiful and what it takes to be beautiful. Summers often talks to people who think that their friends are affected by disordered eating. She believes that students can help each other by listening to, supporting, and empathizing with their friends. Summers believes that by confronting a friend who may have a problem, it will let that person know that someone cares enough about them to help and listen. The biggest hurdles in treating an eating disorder are the unwillingness of a person to accept that they have a problem, and then the unwillingness to talk about it.