Background Information
Eating disorders are psychological in nature and are characterized by abnormal eating habits (Wiseman, Harris & Halmi, 1998). In essence, the affected person eats too much or too little and this is accompanied by mental or physical side effects. In this paper, anorexia nervosa, eating too little will be examined. This disorder’s main characteristic is extreme food restriction and a sharp decline in weight. Eating disorders affect both males and females although with respect to anorexia nervosa, females are the major victims. In the wake of westernization, the quest for slim and sexy figures, anorexia nervosa is more dominant in the western culture than in other cultures.
Initially, there was limited data on the processes that shape eating disorders. However, after the discovery of leptin and the comprehension of brain functions, processes that shape eating disorders have now become clear (Wiseman, Harris & Halmi, 1998). Interactions between self-regulatory and homeostatic processes contribute to eating disorders. These discoveries have only illuminated on some of the unknown factors that shape eating orders because there are other aspects that are yet to be discovered. Other data indicate that eating disorders are associated with other medical conditions and situations (Moyano et al., 1999). For instance, cultural conceptions of thinness and youthfulness. One study has denoted that girls with attention deficiency hyperactivity disorder are at a high risk of developing an eating disorder. In addition, another study has revealed that females with sexual related post-traumatic stress disorder are at a high risk of developing anorexia nervosa (Moyano et al., 1999).
With respect to anorexia nervosa, experts think that the idolized female bodies as orchestrated in the media and peer pressure are top contributors to the development of this disorder. Furthermore, genetic makeup of a person can play a part in the development of anorexia nervosa. Moreover, persons with personality and anxiety disorders are likely to develop eating disorders.
Anorexia nervosa was described for the first time in 1684 (McNulty, 1997). However, a clear diagnosis for this disease became apparent in 1870. The discovery of a diagnosis for anorexia nervosa brought new insights to medicine (McNulty, 1997). It changed the way people view medical conditions, and illuminated the impact on society on people’s health. The history of this disorder for that matter has been shaped by society. In the past, not so much was known about anorexia nervosa. In the 1970s, American media started publishing reports on this disorder, and since then, the publicity on this disorder has soared. As the publicity of this disorder began to rise, many researchers began published their reports (Lozano, 2008).
In 1978, Hilde Bruch published a book on anorexia nervosa titled “The Golden Cage” (Kish et al., 2012). The book documents seventy cases of women narrating their real experiences with this disorder. In the same period, Hilde claimed that this disorder was so huge that most high school and college students were at risk of encountering it. A clinical study conducted in the 1970s revealed that this disorder is associated with the culture that people live in no wonder it is common in the western culture (Kish et al., 2012). Since 1980 to date, many studies have been conducted on anorexia nervosa. Information on this disorder is widely available. In addition, there are many clinics that treat this disorder (Kish et al., 2012).
Statistics about this disorder are amazing. Most patients would rather not talk about it perhaps out of shame or ignorance (Clarke, Weiss & Berrettini, 2012). On the other hand, doctors may treat conditions associated with or contributing to anorexia nervosa without realizing the patient has this disorder. Only ten percent of those with this disorder get medical attention. Furthermore, it may take up to eight years prior to realizing that one has anorexia nervosa (Clarke, Weiss & Berrettini, 2012). Three out of one hundred teens suffer from anorexia nervosa (Clarke, Weiss & Berrettini, 2012).
Symbolic Interactionism and Anorexia Nervosa
Symbolic interactionism is a theoretical framework that attempts to explain the relationship and association between man and society (Guerrero, 2013). In essence, this theory denotes that the human action and interaction can be better understood through the exchange of meaningful symbols or communications (Boundless, 2014). This theory perceives humans not as being acted upon but acting. Humans for that matter tend to act toward things with respect to the meanings those things possess or have for them (Boundless, 2014). Those meanings are realized through social interaction. On the other hand, social action stems from an amalgamation of individual lines of action.
This theory also posits that humans are different from lower animals because the lower animals simply respond to their environment (Boundless, 2014). In this case, the lower animals rely on a stimulus; the stimulus triggers their response. Humans however can interrupt those processes. Prior to responding to stimuli, humans have to interpret the stimuli (cognition). On top of that, humans can respond to the stimuli in different ways. (Boundless, 2014).
This notion is anchored on phenomenological thought. This theory highlights that the object world is irrelevant to humans; only the subjective world matters to them. In other words, meanings cannot be imposed on humans; humans can alter meanings through their creative potential. In line with this, humans can influence or shape the meanings that form their environment or society. It is thus logical to say that human society is a social outcome or product (Guerrero, 2013).
In addition, neurological evidence suggests that humans have a social brain (Boundless, 2014). In essence, the brain has components that regulate humans’ social world or interaction. These components are thought to be shaped in the early childhood, and they help people comprehend how others think. This notion, according to this theory can be termed as the ‘looking glass self’. People imagine how they ought to appear to others. They also imagine the judgment of that appearance. Consequently, people tend to develop their self through others’ judgments (Boundless, 2014).
This theory can be used to explain the occurrence of anorexia nervosa disorder. From the background section, it has been shown that this disorder is as a result of culture or societal influences. It means that the society contributes significantly to the development of this disorder. The mass media are the key champion of this aspect. It makes people especially girls believe that beauty is determined by body size or shape. Females with slender bodies are perceived to be more attractive and sexy than their fat counterparts. In essence, fatness is associated with ugliness. In addition, those who have slender bodies have better chances in career life than their fat counterparts. The mass media including T.V, print and online press all contribute to this feature. They paint the picture that slim people especially females are more competitive than their fat counterparts. In line with this, young people grow up knowing that they have to be slim if they hope to match the fame or achievements of their popular slim and sexy role models.
According to the social interactionism theory, human society is a social output or product. The ‘looking glass self’ concept of this theory can better explain the occurrence of anorexia nervosa. People imagine how they ought to appear to others. They also imagine the judgment of that appearance. Consequently, people tend to develop their self through others’ judgments. As young people, particularly females grow, they mind how other people perceive their appearance; the judgment of others about their body shape has a significant psychological effect. Consequently, they become obsessed with the need to slim or the fear of becoming fat. This societal pressure forces them to tune their diet in order to cut weight or prevent weight gain. They end up eating too little or avoiding certain types of foods.
Psychological symptoms of anorexia nervosa include distorted self-perception, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and refusing to eat. These symptoms are triggered by the social pressure that is championed through the mass media. This disorder may set in without being recognized by the affected person. As the effects of societal pressure to slim start to manifest, the affected person begins to skip meals, eat a few foods or constantly check their weight. In addition, they force themselves to exercise or prepare meals for others and not themselves. On the account of the social interactionism theory, it can be noted that the social-cultural environment emphasizes the value of lean or slim bodies. There is a tendency for the perception in order to have socially accepted bodies. There is a general feeling that the maintenance of slim bodies is the key to acceptance in the society.
This disorder can also be explained by other theories. The functionalist theory for instance, examines how social problems emerge. It looks at how society or social structures contribute to the problem (Guerrero, 2013). The family as a social unit has prevented the occurrence of anorexia nervosa. This can be attained through taking a nutritious diet failure to which causes this disorder. In addition, poor guidance at the family level can explain the occurrence of this disorder. Likewise, conflict theory denotes that the society is held together by power and coercion. There are conflicts between groups in the society such as social class, race and gender (Guerrero, 2013). Social class conflicts could be used to explain the development of this disorder. The potential to slim depends on the ability to access healthy foods or social amenities; socially superior classes are better than lower social classes. In addition the feminist perspective can also be used to explain this phenomenon. This theory opines that gender is as a source of social inequity (Guerrero, 2013). Society imposes pressure on girls to look sexy and appealing, and this forces them to avoid diet that would distort their shape.
Solution
It has been shown that anorexia nervosa is largely caused by the societal pressure. The previous section has noted that social-cultural environment emphasizes the value of lean or slim bodies. In addition, there is a tendency for the perception in order to have socially accepted bodies. The society has painted the picture that maintenance of slim bodies is the key to acceptance in the society. In order to address this challenge, the mass media should be regulated to avoid misleading broadcasts. The mass media shape the perception of people. Therefore, whatever is broadcasted has a significant impact on people’s perceptions.
For that matter, it would be appropriate to engineer decent policies and regulations that championing responsible broadcasting. Media houses should be compelled to broadcast evidence-based messages that are not misleading. Responsible broadcasts will have a major influence on the people’s perception about slim bodies. Secondly, it would be appropriate to engineer a curriculum that would educate school-going kids the importance of having a healthy diet. The curriculum should bring on board both parents and teachers. While at school, teachers ought to provide a theoretical guide. At home, parents should ensure that their kids are following their teachers’ guide. This collaborative approach will help shape the behavior and perception of young people. In addition, there should be heightened campaigns in the mass media on the symptoms, causes and prevention measures of anorexia nervosa.
References
Boundless. (2014).The Symbolic Interactionist Perspective. Boundless Sociology. Boundless, Retrieved 6 Dec. 2014 from https://www.boundless.com/sociology/textbooks/boundless- sociology-textbook/sociology-1/the-theoretical-perspectives-in-sociology-24/the- symbolic-interactionist-perspective-157-3185/Clarke, T.K., Weiss, A.R., and Berrettini, W.H. (2012).The genetics of anorexia nervosa. Clin Pharmacol Ther., 91(2), 181-8.
Guerrero, A. (2013). Social Problems: Community, Policy, and Social Action, 4th Edition. Retrieved from http://online.vitalsource.com/books/9781483321110
Kishi, T., Kafantaris, V., Sunday, S., Sheridan, E.M., and Correll, C.U. (2012). Are antipsychotics effective for the treatment of anorexia nervosa? Results from a systemic review and meta-analysis. J Clin Psychiatry, 73(6), e757-66.Lozano, G.A. (2008). Obesity with sexually selected anorexia nervosa. Med Hypotheses, 71(6), 933-40.
McNulty, N. (1997). Prevalence and contributing factors of eating disorder behaviors in active duty Navy men. Mil Med., 62(11), 753-758.
Moyano, D., Sierra, C., Brandi, N., et al. (1999). Antioxidant status in anorexia nervosa. Int J Eating Disorder, 25, 99-103.
Wiseman, C.V., Harris, W.A., and Halmi, K.A. (1998). Eating disorders. Medical Clin N Am., 82, 145-159
