In modern times, it is commonly believed that eating disorders are a trend or a lifestyle choice. However, as defined by Ranna Parekh (2017), “eating disorders are actually illnesses in which the people experience severe disturbances in their eating behaviors and related thoughts and emotions”. In fact, these eating disturbances are related to the insufficient or excessive food intake that eventually has a negative effect on human well-being (Jacquelyn Ekern, 2018). According to her claim, three most common types of eating disorders are Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Binge Eating Disorder. Also, while those illnesses are able to do harm to both genders of all ages and backgrounds, adolescents seem to be the most at-risk group of people who may suffer from an eating disorder (Eating Disorders Victoria, 2017). Alarmingly, the statistics of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) estimates that more than 95% of people with eating disorders aged between 12 and 25. Moreover, the National Institute of Mental Health also claims that about 2.7% of teenagers in 13-18 age group have problems with eating disorders. Thus, this paper, based on secondary data, discusses the causes, effects and several treatments to eating disorders in attempt to give people, especially the youth an in-depth understanding of these mental and physical illnesses.
What causes eating disorders?
Any patient may suffer from an eating disorder which is caused by a complicated combination of factors (Tabitha Farrar, 2014). First of all, genetics seems to be the most significant factor contributing to the risk for eating disorders in adolescents. In fact, a number of research studies have shown that a person who has a family member with an eating disorder is 11 times more likely to get the same illness. In other words, it means that eating disorders can be heritable. Besides, as reported by Kelly Klump (2007), the origin of eating disorders has biological beginnings. She further states that there is also an increasing risk for the development of an eating disorder during puberty. Surprisingly, it is important to note that genetic factors which appear in the puberty process make up almost 50% of this risk. Clearly, her findings emphasize the considerable growth in genetic effects when adolescents reach puberty.
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Additionally, according to Lauren Muhlheim (2018), negative body image (the feeling of dissatisfaction with one’s own appearance) is a prominent contributor that leads to eating disorders in teenagers. That is, since many of them attach great importance to their body shape and weight when defining their personal values, they tend to indulge in unhealthy behavior such as dieting with a view to relieve their body dissatisfaction. Worryingly, as reported by the site Stage Of Life (2012), 20% of adolescents are unhappy with their body image as well as 44% of them skip meals as effective method to control or lose weight.
Last but not least, social media also encourages adolescents to engage in disordered eating patterns (Greta Gleissner, 2017). Now more than ever, with the great variety of social media platforms used by this age group, it seems to be quite difficult to avoid the pressures and impacts from social media. It points out that individuals are likely to unceasingly compare their own figures to those of their slim peers, skinny models and celebrities on social media. Therefore, they inevitably become more and more obsessed by the thought of “idea body type”, which directly affects their attitude to food. Furthermore, social media has made it easier for body-shaming and bullying to happen more frequently. These days, body shamers express negative opinion about someone’s appearance via social media platforms. Indeed, that has enormous impact on a young person’s eating habits; for instance, people who experience bullying several times may suddenly skip meals to deal with distress. In fact, according to the National Eating Disorders Association, approximately 65% of people who suffer from eating disorders claim that their condition is associated with bullying.
What are the effects of eating disorders?
First and foremost, eating disorders have an adverse impact on the physical health of adolescent patients. According to Crystal Karges (2016), although several physical effects of these illnesses are not likely to apparent immediately, it should be noted that they can emerge later in life as individuals get older and enter adulthood. Also, without sufficient nutrition and calories intake, eating disorder patients may suffer from malnutrition, which can lead to serious damage to their organ systems. As a matter of fact, when the body is not provided with adequate nutrition and necessary calories, it begins to break down its tissues for energy to function normally. Gradually, this can do harm to crucial organs such as making heart and brain become smaller or causing overall muscle loss and bone loss. Apart from that, for adolescents, the health risks even include growth and developmental impairment, both physically and cognitively. Moreover, overweight and obese individuals with eating disorders may get serious long-term health problems including heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes (Joseph Goldberg, 2017).
Furthermore, eating disorders not only result in physical health but also psychological abnormalities. As Kelly Morris (2009) stated, adolescents who suffer from these illnesses are more prone to anxiety as well as depression, and those feeling even get worse when the disease develops. Additionally, since eating disorders often occur along with other mental disorders such as depression, there is an increasing risk for self-harmful or self-destructive behaviors in patients; for instance, they may cut or burn themselves to relieve the painful emotions they have experienced. Also, psychological effects include the lack of interest when adolescents make or do things, even their hobbies. This combined with low self-esteem can lead to social isolation and difficulty in maintaining healthy relationships with other people. Even worse, according to Rebecca Berman (2015), eating disorders are commonly accompanied with suicidal attempts or behaviors. In fact, suicide is the most common culprit which causes the death of patients with eating disorders. Moreover, the mortality rate of eating disorder is 12 times higher than that of all causes leading to death in girls and young women aged from 15 to 24, making it the most fatal mental illness (NEDC, 2010).
In addition, eating disorders terribly affect adolescents’ social interactions, which brings more pain and sorrow to their lives. In fact, the impact of these illnesses on relationships eventually turns out to be negative and destructive (Francesca Baker, 2015). Also, she explains that adolescents with eating disorders often concentrate more on their illnesses instead of using their energy to build connection with others; however, most of people enjoy friends who are sociable and energetic rather than those who are obsessive, bad-tempered and mainly care about themselves. Not surprisingly, as individuals may believe that people around them cannot accept their appearance as well as their abnormal eating habits, they gradually become isolated and susceptive to any judgment. They tend to refuse the help from others; therefore, healthy people who try to help may feel their support is futile, not helpful and no longer want to form relationships with individuals with eating disorders.
What are the possible treatments for eating disorders?
Recovery from eating disorders is certainly a challenging process. According to Lauren Muhlheim (2017), eating disorders cannot be completely treated by medications like other mental disorders since medications may have a risk for side effects. Instead, balanced diet and the normalization of patients’ eating habits seem to be more effective. However, she further states that psychiatric medication is able to help the treatment more successful in some cases, especially for those who have problems with depression and anxiety along with eating disorders.
Additionally, a recommended treatment for these illnesses is psychotherapy, which is also known as counseling or talking to psychologists and advisors (Arnold Lieber, 2018). With the help from this kind of therapy, patients gradually learn to cope with the thoughts and behaviors that contribute to negative body image and abnormal eating patterns as well as replace them with healthier ones. Also, a number of mental health professionals suggest psychotherapy can be done in family as they have proved that improving communication among members in family can reduce stress which is associated with eating disorders in teenagers.
Furthermore, he also mentions in-patient treatment, which is recommended if patients’ malnutrition or complications become severe or even fatal. Unlike other therapies, in-patient treatment is more intensive as patient will stay in a live-in facility and receive 24 hour care for a long period of time, often for months. This therapy is considered to be more effective because it helps to promote better mental and physical health.
Last but not least, as reported by Nicole Garber (2015), nutrition therapy is also regarded as a crucial aspect of a comprehensive treatment plan for people with eating disorders. In this type of treatment, nutritionists establish specific meal plans for individuals due to their circumstances and goals. Patients, therefore, can benefit from learning healthy eating habits and maintaining healthy body weight.
Conclusion
This research has shown that eating disorders are severe and serious mental and physical illnesses which not only affect adolescents with these illnesses but also their families, relatives and friends. Whether the patients are influenced by biological elements or sociocultural factors, the impact of eating disorders on their bodies and lives is devastating. Therefore, it is important for family members and peers to support the people with eating disorders by encouraging them to engage in healthy eating habits and seeking appropriate medical attention. Also, adolescents who suffer from eating disorders should learn to care and nurture themselves in order to recover better from these diseases. Besides, they need to enhance self-esteem along with solid self-concept to escape from negative thoughts of their appearances and relationships. A new approach to prevent adolescents from eating disorders would be for the parents to encourage their children to have balanced diet and exercises regularly instead of talking or teasing teenagers about their weight. Obviously, this will take time and a great deal of efforts to overcome eating disorders; however, it is more important to live a healthy life with lots of happiness rather than a life which is full of misery.
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