Introduction The aim of this literature review is to describe the main causes of eating disorders among teenagers aged 12 to 18 years old in high schools globally, and to also explain to what extend do some of these causes influence eating disoders. Recent studies have indicated a major increase in the eating disorder habits and body dissatisfaction in adolescence over the past few decades. This crisis seems most prevalent in females`` than males with 20 percent high school females exhibiting poor eating habits and about 60 percent undergone weight loss attempt (Pritchard and Wilson, 2005). Most affected youngsters endeavor various solutions to cope with this dilemma and in most cases, drug and alcohol abuse and suicide are the worst outcomes that have raised concerns to the society. The information about this top was gathered after analysis of scholarly journals although the detail is limited since the articles are not entirely current. Literature review Classifications of eating disorders Anorexia nervosa This is when the affected people undergo self-starvation and have a determined pursuit to lose weight and usually succeeds since they view it as an accomplished goal not an illness, therefore they see no need to change. (Fairburn and Harrison, 2003). As a result of underweight, these people become socially isolated making this condition difficult to reverse. Again, Pritchard and Wilson (2005) also describe it as over evaluation of shape and weight causing this disorder classification to have high mortality rate due to either medical complications or suicide. Bulimia nervosa Fairburn and Harrison (2003) define bulimia nervosa as uncontrolled overeating and are usually followed by self-induced vomiting. These p... ... middle of paper ... ...9, 2010, http://proquest.umi.com.library.ecu.edu.au/ pqdweb?index=45 Pritchard, M. E., & Wilson, G. S. (2005). Factors influencing body image in female adolescent athletes. Women in Sport & Physical Activity Journal, 14(1), 72-78. Retrieved from http://proquest.umi.com.library.ecu.edu.au/ pqdweb?index=152 Siegel, D. (2007, Feb). Adolescent girls' body perceptions as a result of sport participation. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, 78(2), 8. Retrieved July 18, 2010, from http://proquest.umi.com.library.ecu.edu.au.pqdweb? index=103 Tiggemann, M. (2001, June). The impact of adolescent girls' life concerns and leisure activities on body dissatisfaction, disordered eating, and self-esteem. The Journal of Genetic Psychology, 162(2), 133-42. Retrieved July 20, 2010, from http://proquest.umi.com.library.ecu.edu.au/ pqdweb?index=179
Ever since 1979, the world became introduced to a different type of anorexia disorder called bulimia nervosa by Gerald Russell. In the similar attempt to lose weight like anorexia, bulimia nervosa is characterized by having episodes of binge eating, followed by intense efforts to avoid gaining weight. Some of the methods to avoid gaining the weight can be to induce self-vomiting, and consuming laxatives or diuretics. As a result of Russell studying theses eating disorders, he discovered that approximately 1/100 women in Western societies were affected in 1990 (Palmer, 2014). Ever since bulimia nervosa became a known eating disorder, more people have been able to effectively be diagnosed with it, and more useful information about the disorder
Crow, S.J., Peterson, C.B., Swanson, S.A., Raymond, N.C., Specker, S., Eckert, E.D., Mitchell, J.E. (2009) Increased mortality in bulimia nervosa and other eating disorders. American Journal of Psychiatry 166, 1342-1346.
Derenne, J. L., & Beresin, E. V. (2006). Body image, media, and eating disorders. Academic Psychiatry, 30(3), 257-61. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.waketech.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/196508089?accountid=15152
In light of what is going on in the world today, eating disorders seem farfetched and frivolous. Anorexia Nervosa could be considered a classic example of a serious eating disorder as it is defined as having a fatal a...
The study conducted was conducted to measure the risk adolescents during the development of their body image and eating disturbances. A 3-point Likert scale was used among the one hundred and ninety six participants ranging from ages 8 years and 8 months to 11 years and 10 months. Two pilot studies were conducted in this study, to adjust the scales for the adolescent participants in a clear concise way for them to understand, and to be sure student participants were not fatigued from a plentiful survey. Cronbach’s alpha was used to test the reliability of the three subscales. The results indicated there was a significant difference in body dissatisfaction and media influence between the two genders in the study. The females in the study indicated there was a significant difference between body awareness and body dissatisfaction, while males had no significant difference. Both groups however indicated there was a correlation between the pressure of the media influencing body dissatisfaction. The discussion indicated there should be a larger sample of participants as well as specifically measuring the influence of media on clinical symptoms.
Our society today is heavily influenced by the media and the imagery it shows. Though it may be indirect, the media provides unhealthy messages about ideal body sizes, gender attractiveness, and weight control that make women view themselves in a negative way. Magazines, television, and movies influence teenage girls on what they believe their body image should be. The images they show set the standard of what is considered physically attractive in our society. With the use of photoshop, media depicts falsified images of models and actresses to create a perfected look that is unattainable by the average woman. This creates a desire among teenage girls to look like these stars that are often shown. When teenage girls look at these images, they compare themselves to those images, and then judge themselves based on these comparisons. These judgements can potentially lead to eating disorders. In order to prevent the risk of eating disorders among teenage girls, the media should depict a typical image of people, rather than idolizing a specific standard of beauty.
O’Dea, J. (1995). Body image and nutritional status among adolescents and adults. Journal of Nutrition & Dietetics, 25, 56-67.
The purpose of the study mentioned above is to assess the individual variables to see if they are positively correlated with bulimia nervosa. The participants used in this study were 193 female undergraduate students at Texas Tech University. These students were also enrolled in an introductory psychology class. They used a variety of questionnaires used to assess feelings about negativity towards body shape; binge eating and compensatory behaviors; depressed mood, sleep patterns, feelings of guilt and hopelessness; influences from peers and/or the media; positive feelings about themselves; and questions regarding perfectionism. A weight ratio (reported weight divided by the standard weight to height rati...
Bulimia is one of the major eating disorders among teens. Bulimia is when someone binges− eats a lot of food in a short period of time− and then purges, ...
Bulimia nervosa is a slightly less serious version of anorexia, but can lead to some of the same horrible results. Bulimia involves an intense concern about weight (which is generally inaccurate) combined with frequent cycles of binge eating followed by purging, through self-induced vomiting, unwarranted use of laxatives, or excessive exercising. Most bulimics are of normal body weight, but they are preoccupied with their weight, feel extreme shame about their abnormal behavior, and often experience significant depression. The occurrence of bulimia has increased in many Western countries over the past few decades. Numbers are difficult to establish due to the shame of reporting incidences to health care providers (Bee and Boyd, 2001).
The stage of adolescence contains major changes which can bring stress, confusion, and anxiety. Feelings of self-consciousness, low self esteem and comparison with peers start occurring during this time. Along with the physical changes there is also hormonal and brain changes that affect the adolescent physically, mentally, emotionally, and psychologically. During this time a person can feel tremendous pressure to find their place in the world among a great deal of confusion (“Eating Disorders and Adolescence,” 2013). Body image concerns and peer pressure are heightened during the period of adolescence, and are potential risk factors in the development of an eating disorder. While eating disorders can affects males and females of all ages, the average age of onset for Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and disordered eating takes place during adolescence. These disorders are often a coping mechanism for people to attempt to gain control of their situation when they feel helpless among other aspects of life (“Eating Disorders and Adolescence,” 2013). Eating disorders in children and teens can lead to a number of serious physical problems and even death (Kam, n.d.).
Eating disorders affect a variety of individuals. This is due, in part, to what we believe beauty is. Mass media has an influence on these eating disorders. Girls believe that they should look like the super models that they see on television or in fashion magazines. This encourages them to take dangerous measures that will make them lose weight in unhealthy ways. This is a huge problem in our society and it needs to be addressed. According to Naomi Wolf, “ In her book The beauty myth” beauty today is not, about makeup. It’s the disempowering, backlash of propaganda that suggests that feminism makes women ugly, or forces women to choose between beauty and liberation.” (Wolf 2)
...l, D. M., & Willard, S. G. (2003). When dieting becomes dangerous: A guide to understanding and treating anorexia and bulimia [Ebrary version]. Retrieved from http://libproxy.utdallas.edu/login?url=http://site.ebrary.com/lib/utdallas/Doc?id=10170079&ppg=4
The media can impact people’s lives in many ways, whether it’s fashion, movies, literature, or hobbies. One of the impacts is how women view their bodies. Movie stars and models feel pressured to catch attention and to look good in order to have a good career in their respective field. People tend to judge how someone looks based on their body composition. The result of this “judgment” is that Hollywood is getting skinny. Since models and actresses serve as role models for people, people tend to want to look like them. The result of this seemingly harmless model of behavior is in an increase in eating disorders.
Johnson, Craig, and Cynthia Bulik. "Genetics Play a Significant Role in Eating Disorders." Eating Disorders. Ed. Roman Espejo. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2012. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. from "Brave New World: The Role of Genetics in the Prevention and Treatment of Eating Disorders." www.wpic.pitt.edu/research/pfanbn/genetics.html. 2002. 36-40. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 5 Dec. 2013.