Abstract
Eating is considered by many to be a privilege as there are millions around the globe who still cannot get access to good or clean food. Others take eating for granted and eventually waste the food they eat. With the world now becoming conscious over health and the concept of beauty, females are now taking their dieting to the extreme. However, with these extreme dieting methods come with a great cost. Some of these females develop eating disorders that not only cause their bodies to weaken severely, but ultimately affect their lifestyles for the worst. Although there are others who develop eating disorders due to various health disorders and due to poverty, some females often develop eating disorders even if they are 100% healthy. Nowadays, even young females are trying various unorthodox methods to control their eating, even forcing themselves to throw up the food they eat. This paper will discuss the major causes of eating disorders in young women and discuss the eating disorders these women can contract.
What are the major causes of eating disorders in young women?
Eating is considered to be a privilege many take for granted as some would often waste their food or throw them away despite the scarce supply of food in certain areas of the country. However, this concept of eating and food has changed over the century as the world continues to demand people for more time and an “ideal” image. While many females, both young and old, try to aspire for these “ideal” images of women; little did they know that they are developing several dangerous eating disorders that not only affect their lifestyles but also their body structure. Although there are others who develop eating disorders due to various health complications and due to poverty, some females often develop these eating disorders even if they are not supposed to contract any diseases or complications until they are older. This paper will discuss the major causes of eating disorders in young women and discuss the eating disorders these women can contract.
There are many reasons and causes as to why young women nowadays are prone in contracting several eating disorders. One of the major causes of eating disorders in young women is the general aspect of eating itself in the current context. In an article written by Andrea Faiad, she explained as to why, when, what, and how much a person eats. She notes that according to dietician Bonnie Taub-Tix, people often eat with only the mouth and head, not with the stomach, which often causes the instances of hunger even if one is done eating a hefty meal. It is a common occurrence nowadays in households as people often see commercials or photos of food that look appetizing, causing them to crave for more food. This results to larger figures and uncontrollable eating leading to overeating and poor nutritional habits. There is also the fact that both men and women would have to make 200 or more food-related decisions each day, which increases their chances of eating. These food-related decisions are often done unconsciously, and are often concerning one’s feelings. Finally, the development of eating disorders is also due to one’s cravings. When one feels sad, stressed, happy or nervous, one tends to act on emotional impulse and crave for foods. As one continuous to satisfy this impulse, the more likely he or she is to develop a bigger body that causes young females to be self-conscious of their weight. . Since 2008, the United States has reported as much as 10 out of 100 young women who have contracted an eating disorder. Studies have noted that some of the common eating problems for the younger generation are overeating for stress relief, poor nutritional habits, and food fads.
The causes of development of certain eating disorders in young women can also be distinguished on their personalities and the disorder they are likely to contract. Two specific psychiatric eating disorders are prominent in young women nowadays: anorexia nervosa and bulimia. While it can also be contracted by young boys, both anorexia nervosa and bulimia are prominent in many females, including celebrities. Parents normally cannot identify if their children have acquired these eating disorders considering that their children tend to hide these disorders so they cannot be scolded or brought to the hospital. According to studies, anorexia nervosa and bulimia’s symptoms can easily be identified. Teens with anorexia nervosa are often perfectionists and high achievers, especially in school. However, they have a low self-esteem especially with their bodies. Sometimes they think they are still fat despite the loss of weight she manages each time she diets or trains. To ensure that she would feel free from the burdens of her body shape and insecurity, the teenager with anorexia nervosa says “no” to the food input her body needs. She then starves herself and sometimes, forces the food out of her body. As the days go by, the body receives serious damage as the stomach would become acidic due to the lack of food that goes in the body, eventually leading to death .
Another notable symptom or warning sign noted by experts is that young women with bulimia would eat huge quantities of either high-caloric or high-fat foods and afterwards, purge her body by self-induced vomiting or laxatives. These bouts of high calorie intake and self-induced vomiting alternate with severe diets that limit the teenager to only a few bites of food. Although teenagers can hide the early onset of bulimia when throwing up through the use of running water, their physical health would be visible not only to their parents but also to their peers. Teenage girls with bulimia are prone in experiencing high bouts of dehydration, hormonal imbalance, mineral depletion, and severe damage to vital organs. While treatment is available for the teenager suffering from these eating disorders, administering treatment is difficult if the parents cannot identify early on the symptoms presented by their teenage daughters
Genetics also plays a major factor in the development of eating disorders in young women. Researchers have noted in 2002 that mothers and daughters who suffer from eating disorders is more likely to develop anorexia or bulimia, suggesting that it can be hereditary such as the development of obesity. It has been speculated early on that birth trauma and prematurity increases one’s chances of acquiring eating disorders. Most of the notable studies done throughout the years confirmed that eating disorders run through a family which is why some have been trying to locate the gene that enabled the transmission. Neurochemistry has pointed out the possibilities of serotonin and neuroephinephrine being potential influences for one’s eating disorder. Neurotransmitters and hormones are also studied nowadays to understand as to how genetically transmitted eating disorders occur or develop. In some studies, people with high levels of vasopressin and cortisol tend to eat more because of stress. Neuropeptide and peptide levels are also considered in identifying if one has high possibilities of eating disorders. Both neuropeptide and peptide are substances that have been indicated in several lab experiments to cause eating disorders. Recently, studies are noting that eating disorders in women, especially those with bulimia, had acquired the problem due to the hormone cholecystokinin. This hormone makes people feel full so they can stop eating. For those with bulimia, they tend to have low levels of these hormones, indicating the possibility it has been acquired genetically
The onset of puberty may also be a component into young women’s development of eating disorders. As young women experience their first menstrual period, their bodies change rapidly due to hormonal changes. Growth spurts occur and girls find themselves gaining wider hips and increase in body fat. These changes may present a dilemma to the girl since she may have stereotyped perceptions over what should be her ideal size. Puberty also presents changes in their self-esteem, which also influences their eating habits. Their physical changes right after the onset of their first period may cause them to lose confidence since they are no longer thin and fit for the attention of the people they like or want to impress. One’s physical stature also affects one’s self-esteem that may cause them to fail in several subjects due to depression and anxiety. Since they continue to be stressed with regards to the perception of their peers and society in a whole, young women tend to think about various means of dieting to fit their age group. Even if their bodies cannot handle dieting to lose weight, some girls would risk the health risks of early dieting to avoid the increase in physical weight. This then fosters the beginning of irregular eating habits, causing them to develop eating disorders.
Finally, the major reason as to why young women tend to develop eating disorders are due to social factors dictated by the media. Around the globe, people are given the “stereotype” on what it means to be beautiful through media and even the definition from many developed countries. Thin and pale is usually synonymous to beauty and elegance which makes young women try to achieve this “perfect body”. Since society adheres to this stereotyped definition, many tend to recognize only those who achieve this “perfection” in some form. Models used in various brands and products often use their appearances to associate to the product. There are also others that consider someone tall, thin and pretty to become successful in their chosen careers even if they are not well-educated. For young women, this idea of beauty entices them to try out several means to lose weight, increasing the risk of eating disorder development. Their desire to belong to a group or to be noticed overpowers their sense of control and understanding, leading them to continue their efforts in dieting and reduced eating. Since some believe that exercise will be a long tedious process to lose weight, many women tend to lose their body’s capacity to exert strength. Experts blame the media for creating this stereotype with regards to perfect beauty .
The implications of eating disorders for both men and women can be severe if they are not stopped from their irregular eating habits and self-obsession in attaining “perfect beauty”. Each person is created differently for a reason and this does not mean that all have the same idea of what is real beauty and what is fake beauty. For those who acquire their eating disorders through genetics and health complications, it is often crucial to get it regulated through medication and treatment which is offered by various hospitals around the country. If one truly wishes to become thinner, he or she can achieve this through proper exercise, eating and healthy habits. It is also crucial for parents, adults and friends to help stressed young women to understand that they do not share the same sentiments regarding their weight and boost the young woman’s self-esteem by showing concern and love. Physical beauty through torture and pain due to self-inflicted eating disorders would only result into more pain and even one’s death.
Works Cited
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