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. The individual should be considered within the family context Psychological factors help explain some of the features of eating disorders that socio-cultural factors fail to address. A number of psychological factors have been suggested as being relevant in the development of eating disorders. In discussing the issue it is important to remember the integral relationship between psychological and familial factors.