The Connection Between Child Beauty Pageants and Eating Disorders

Many people believe child beauty pageants are harmful to girls. They think they teach children that their worth is based on physical appearance and competition, which can lead to problems like eating disorders.

The connection between child beauty pageants and mental health disorders is well-known. After Miss USA 2019 Cheslie Kryst committed suicide in January, some questioned her mental health and wondered whether she had been struggling with depression or anxiety, which is often associated with beauty pageant participation. In fact, the mental health impact of beauty pageants has been debated for years. Psychologists and psychiatrists largely agree that beauty pageants promote unhealthy ideas about female body image, which can lead to disordered eating behaviors and body dissatisfaction.

In a 2003 study, 131 female beauty pageant contestants reported that they wanted to be thinner and were trying to lose weight. They also tended to have lower self-esteem than women who were not pageant participants. While the study was limited and cross-sectional, it suggests that beauty pageant participation may contribute to eating disorders and body dissatisfaction in adolescent women.

Despite the negative effects of beauty pageants, some argue that they can be beneficial for children and teens. They say they build confidence and help kids develop a positive body image. In addition, they say that some of the contestants have gone on to become professional performers and actresses. However, the research supporting these claims is limited and further studies are needed to determine whether they have a long-term impact on young children and teenagers’ bodies, minds and relationships.

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