EATING DISORDERS IN GIRLS
The definition of “beauty ” has changed in time. In the 1890s plump and voluptuous girls were considered as the ideal model; however, it changed dramatically later. In the 1920s flat-chested and slim hipped girls reflected a model to follow. During the 1930s and 1940s, with the creation of gym machines full-bodied girls, with emphasis on their legs were seen as “perfect women”. In 1950s a well-proportioned body was considered beautiful. However nowadays a “nice body ” means being thin. As a result, girls are unhappy with their bodies and no matter what is considered beautiful, girls will always try to follow this ideal model doing whatever to achieve it, even if it means that they have to follow rigorous diets that can cause eating disorders on them, but. Did you think about the real causes of eating disorders and what can make these problems in girls’ body ?. Well eating disorders are a result of genetic and environmental factors that can affect the girls’ body in an irreversible way.
The definition of “beauty ” has changed in time. In the 1890s plump and voluptuous girls were considered as the ideal model; however, it changed dramatically later. In the 1920s flat-chested and slim hipped girls reflected a model to follow. During the 1930s and 1940s, with the creation of gym machines full-bodied girls, with emphasis on their legs were seen as “perfect women”. In 1950s a well-proportioned body was considered beautiful. However nowadays a “nice body ” means being thin. As a result, girls are unhappy with their bodies and no matter what is considered beautiful, girls will always try to follow this ideal model doing whatever to achieve it, even if it means that they have to follow rigorous diets that can cause eating disorders on them, but. Did you think about the real causes of eating disorders and what can make these problems in girls’ body ?. Well eating disorders are a result of genetic and environmental factors that can affect the girls’ body in an irreversible way.
Many scientists believe that some girls are genetically predisposed to eating disorders. For example, anorexia is eight times more common in girls who have relatives such as father, mother and grandparents with eating disorder. Moreover, scientists believe that twins are more likely to share eating problems such as bulimia.
However, the majority of girls are not predisposed to eating disorders. The most common causes of these problems are environmental factors.
The first environmental cause of eating disorders is negative influence within the family. The first thing to understand is that parental behaviors or attitudes influence on the way girls think. According to the American Psychiatric Association, “40% of 9-10 year old girls trying to lose weight generally did so because of the influence of their mothers”(APA). The other thing is that a history of abuse within the family can influence in these conditions. For example, girls who suffered sex abuse from a family member are more likely to have eating disorders such as bulimia nervosa.
The second cause is the constant pressure of the media. The media plays an important role on the way girls consider” beauty”. For example, in a lot of TV commercials most of the time we find thin women promoting some products such as beer, so many girls try to follow the physical appearance of those women doing whatever to achieve it even risking their own lifes.
However, eating disorders has many effects on the health of girls too. The body can be damaged in an irreversible way. For example, vomiting that is present in bulimia can make girls loose important proteins making girls to lose their hair, muscle mass and also make young girls more likely to suffer some diseases such as osteoporosis.
In summary, I would say that the main causes of eating disorders are genetic and environmental factor, but also this condition has many effects in the health too, so what we have to do now is to have a good communication with young girls to avoid these problems that can kill them sooner or later.
SOURCE:
American Psychiatric Association. Treatment of patients with eating disorders, third edition. American Psychiatric Association. Am J Psychiatry. 2006 Jul;163(7 Suppl):4-54.
However, the majority of girls are not predisposed to eating disorders. The most common causes of these problems are environmental factors.
The first environmental cause of eating disorders is negative influence within the family. The first thing to understand is that parental behaviors or attitudes influence on the way girls think. According to the American Psychiatric Association, “40% of 9-10 year old girls trying to lose weight generally did so because of the influence of their mothers”(APA). The other thing is that a history of abuse within the family can influence in these conditions. For example, girls who suffered sex abuse from a family member are more likely to have eating disorders such as bulimia nervosa.
The second cause is the constant pressure of the media. The media plays an important role on the way girls consider” beauty”. For example, in a lot of TV commercials most of the time we find thin women promoting some products such as beer, so many girls try to follow the physical appearance of those women doing whatever to achieve it even risking their own lifes.
However, eating disorders has many effects on the health of girls too. The body can be damaged in an irreversible way. For example, vomiting that is present in bulimia can make girls loose important proteins making girls to lose their hair, muscle mass and also make young girls more likely to suffer some diseases such as osteoporosis.
In summary, I would say that the main causes of eating disorders are genetic and environmental factor, but also this condition has many effects in the health too, so what we have to do now is to have a good communication with young girls to avoid these problems that can kill them sooner or later.
SOURCE:
American Psychiatric Association. Treatment of patients with eating disorders, third edition. American Psychiatric Association. Am J Psychiatry. 2006 Jul;163(7 Suppl):4-54.
I think that your topic is interesting especially for girls that suffer it and for all kind of people.I agrre that one of the causes of it is the tv commercials.
ReplyDeleteMarta Melgar