Echoing the sentiments of many, Ellen Pompeo says Hollywood socialites "who are rich and famous for nothing" are setting a bad example.

"I just think the media should take this country in a different direction," the 37-year-old Grey's Anatomy actress tells the new issue of Los Angeles Confidential Magazine, on newsstands August 15.

"We're so focused on the wrong things. We're teaching young girls that this is what they should be focusing on: rich and famous girls who are rich and famous for nothing."

In an thinly-veiled reference to coverage of Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie and their ilk, Pompeo says:

"What are we doing to this younger generation? It's not very responsible."

Pompeo, who plays Dr. Meredith Grey on Grey's Anatomy, calls the media "irresponsible" for speculating that she has an eating disorder.

"I worry about the girls who look up to me - I don't want them to think I starve myself or don't eat."

"I don't want them to think that to be like me, that's what they have to do," explains the actress, who is naturally slender.

Pompeo, a Boston-area native who is engaged to record producer Chris Ivery, says they haven't yet set a wedding date. The pair got engaged in November, having dating for three years.

"I swear we're going to get married at sometime," Ellen Pompeo says. "We're just trying to fit it all in. It won't be a big ceremony - we want one thing to ourselves!"
Does Ellen Pompeo see children in her future?

"I do," she says. "With the show, I just don't know if it's entirely fair to myself and to everybody else right now. We'll see what happens."

Steve Marsi is the Managing Editor of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Google+ or email him here.