An adolescent girl feels distressed about losing weight because of being the only female in her gym class. She slowly begins to lose pounds, but the drive to drop weight rapidly becomes too demanding to control. She begins to reject even small amounts of food, and eventually only eats a handful of grapes a day. Her family and friends finally become concerned and she is transported to the hospital where she is then diagnosed with one of the most serious cases for teenagers and adults of all ages: an eating disorder. The obsession of many people in society over their appearance or weight has led to a growing number of people who have developed an eating disorder to try to deal with their lack of self-esteem or other related problems. Anorexia
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Although health experts are not always sure as to what causes anorexia and other eating disorders, many believe it has to do with biological, social, and psychological problems. The “perfect” thin appeal has become more “fashionable”, and nearly ninety percent of fashion industries convey attractive women and men to be skinny or thin. The messages sent by magazines, television, and other media include buy certain clothes and products; straighten and whiten your teeth; and most commonly: lose weight and you will be valued and admired. Authors Christina Grant and Katie Reagan claim, “The average American woman is 5’4” and weighs 140 pounds, while the average American model is 5’11” and weighs 117 pounds” (Grant and Reagan).Teenagers especially spend a great deal of time on social media sites and often happen to stumble upon information comparing the ideal thin appearance to one’s own body. Along with media, diet commercials and ads also add to the percentage of eating disorders among the public. Each year, over millions of new diet methods seem to have the solution to finally achieving that ideal body. However, when numerous diet methods do not work for many people, an eating disorder is often diagnosed due to the result of not eating to shed pounds. Media is not the only factor of the leading causes to eating disorders. Because depression often leads to these diseases, stressful life events or changes also play a huge role in the development of anorexia, binge eating disorder, and
Although health experts are not always sure as to what causes anorexia and other eating disorders, many believe it has to do with biological, social, and psychological problems. The “perfect” thin appeal has become more “fashionable”, and nearly ninety percent of fashion industries convey attractive women and men to be skinny or thin. The messages sent by magazines, television, and other media include buy certain clothes and products; straighten and whiten your teeth; and most commonly: lose weight and you will be valued and admired. Authors Christina Grant and Katie Reagan claim, “The average American woman is 5’4” and weighs 140 pounds, while the average American model is 5’11” and weighs 117 pounds” (Grant and Reagan).Teenagers especially spend a great deal of time on social media sites and often happen to stumble upon information comparing the ideal thin appearance to one’s own body. Along with media, diet commercials and ads also add to the percentage of eating disorders among the public. Each year, over millions of new diet methods seem to have the solution to finally achieving that ideal body. However, when numerous diet methods do not work for many people, an eating disorder is often diagnosed due to the result of not eating to shed pounds. Media is not the only factor of the leading causes to eating disorders. Because depression often leads to these diseases, stressful life events or changes also play a huge role in the development of anorexia, binge eating disorder, and