Body image and eating disorders (Evelyn Choe

WHO DOES IT AFFECT ?

While there is no single cause of eating disorders, research indicates that negative body image is the best-known contributor to the development of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.

Eating disorders affect people of every age, race, size, gender identity, sexual orientation and background. About 10,200 deaths each year are the direct result of an eating disorder - that’s one death every 52 minutes. The economic cost of eating disorders is $64.7 billion every year.

The National Eating Disorder Association provides helplines through chat, call, and text for support, resources, and treatment options for people who are struggling with eating disorders.

Body image is how one pictures oneself in one’s mind. It encompasses what a person believes to be true about his or her appearance, how one feels about their body, including the height, shape, and weight. Many people these days internalize messages starting at a young age that can lead to either a positive or negative body image. Having a healthy body image is an important factor of eating disorder prevention. Although there is not only one factor that causes eating disorders, body image definitely has a contribution. Research indicates negative body image is the best-known contributor to eating disorders.

There are two types of most prevalent eating disorders that are known to affect at least 9% of the population worldwide: anorexia and bulimia. Anorexia is an eating disorder characterized by an abnormally low body weight, an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted perception of weight. On the other hand, people with bulimia may secretly binge -- eating large amounts of food with a loss of control over the eating -- and then purge, trying to get rid of the extra calories in an unhealthy way. Both types can significantly impact one’s physical and mental health and needs to be appropriately treated.

WHY IS IT A GLOBAL ISSUE?

SOLUTIONS BEING MADE UNDERSTANDING THE ISSUE

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. MY OPINION

My Southern Health (2018, Feb 26). Shattering myths about eating disorders [Infographic]. Vanderbilt Health. https://www.mysouthernhealth.com/infographic-what-parents-need-toknow-about-eating-disorders/

Eating disorder is a major health issue around the world, and it is affecting not only the adults, but also many young adults and even children. It is necessary to educate teens that having a healthy body image is an important health factor.

S O C I A L M E D I A

Aparicio-Martinez P, Perea-Moreno AJ, Martinez-Jimenez MP, Redel-Macías MD, Pagliari C, Vaquero-Abellan M. Social Media, Thin-Ideal, Body Dissatisfaction and Disordered Eating Attitudes: An Exploratory Analysis. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019;16(21):4177. Published 2019 Oct 29. doi:10.3390/ijerph16214177.

Cohen R, Newton-John T, Slater A. The case for body positivity on social media: Perspectives on current advances and future directions. Journal of Health Psychology. March 2020. doi:10.1177/1359105320912450

Blair Brurnette C., Kwitowski M., Mazzeo S. “I don’t need people to tell me I’m pretty on social media:” A qualitative study of social media and body image in early adolescent girls. Body Image. 2017; 23, 114-125. Dec 2017. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2017.09.001

Fardouly, J., & Vartanian, L. R. (2016). Social media and body image concerns: Current research and future directions. Current Opinion in Psychology, 9, 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2015.09.005

M E N T A L H E A L T H

E A T I N G D I S O R D E R S

Grabe S, Hyde JS. Ethnicity and body dissatisfaction among women in the United States: a metaanalysis. Psychol Bull. 2006 Jul;132(4):622-40. doi: 10.1037/0033-2909.132.4.622. PMID: 16822170.

Body image report - Executive Summary. Mental Health Foundation. https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/body-image-report/exec-summary. Published August 6, 2020. Accessed February 22, 2021.

McLean SA, Paxton SJ. Body Image in the Context of Eating Disorders. Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2019;42(1):145-156. doi:10.1016/j.psc.2018.10.006

Esposito R, Cieri F, di Giannantonio M, Tartaro A. The role of body image and self-perception in anorexia nervosa: the neuroimaging perspective. J Neuropsychol. 2018;12(1):41-52. doi:10.1111/jnp.12106

Staff Wby CP. 8 Ways to Prevent Eating Disorders (Plus 5 Recommendations for Parents). Casa Palmera. https://casapalmera.com/blog/8-ways-to-prevent-eating-disorders/. Published October 31, 2019. Accessed March 29, 2021.