Weight Obsession Affects Millions Of Teenagers Today

Introduction Weight obsession affects millions of teenagers today, especially girls. At any given time, one out of every seven women has or is struggling with an eating disorder. One study a few years ago found that 36% of adolescent girls believed they were overweight while 59% were trying to lose weight (Eating Disorders in Teens, n.d.). Up to 30 million people of all ages and genders suffer from an eating disorder (anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder) in the United States. Ninety-five percent of those who have eating disorders are between the ages of 12 and 25 (ANAD, 2015). Influenced by media and peers, people are being diagnosed with an eating disorder younger and younger. Forty-two percent of 1st-3rd grade girls want to be thinner and 81% of 10 year olds are afraid of being fat. Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness (Stewart, 2013). With these current statistics, it is evident that help is needed. We will explore the major types of eating disorders, the causes, the symptoms of eating disorders in adolescents, and effective treatment options available. Types Although there are many types of eating disorders recognized in the medical field, there are three major types. The first is anorexia nervosa. This is a distorted body image that causes people to see themselves as overweight even when they are really thin. Refusing to eat, exercising compulsively, and will usually refuse to eat in front of others, theyShow MoreRelatedYou re Not The Ideal Body Image, Who The Fuck Cares? Essay1736 Words   |  7 Pagesaround the world, like eating disorders, it is seen most commonly in women, but many men also suffer from the disorder. Family life can sometimes influence our body image. Some parents or coaches might be too focused on looking a certain way or making weight for a sports team. Family members might struggle with their own body image or criticize their kids looks (why do you wear your hair so long? or how come you can t wear pants that fit you?). This can all influence a person s self-esteem, especiallyRead MoreEating Disorders : Anore xia And Bulimia1229 Words   |  5 PagesContrary to popular believe, eating disorders are not a thing of the past. They are unfortunately very prevalent; eating disorders affect up to 30 million Americans and 70 million individuals worldwide. The Renfrew Center Foundation for Eating Disorders, Eating Disorders 101 Guide: A Summary of Issues, Statistics and Resources, published September 2002, revised October 2003, http://www.renfrew.org. What an extremely disturbing fact! With so many people are struggling, why are the differences betweenRead MoreEssay about Anorexia1309 Words   |  6 Pages It seems today that eating disorders are on the rise. While this may be true, the numbers may appear to grow only because more cases are being brought out into the open. The purpose of this paper is to discuss eating disorders and prove the these disease, specifically Anorexia Nervosa, continue to plague of women due to psychological and environmental factors along with pressure from the media. The term â€Å"Anorexia Nervosa† is misleading. It means â€Å"loss of appetite due to nerves.† But people withRead MoreThe Effects Of Media On Eating Disorders1034 Words   |  5 Pagesyear 2013, an estimated 805 million people worldwide suffer from Hunger. This number represents a group of people who suffer from food insecurity. This means they have inadequate access to food and don’t know when their next meal will be. This being said, an estimated 70 million people worldwide suffer from some sort of eating disorders as of 2015 with 30 million being made up of Americ ans. Eating Disorders can be defined as any eating habit that negatively affects ones overall health. MediaRead MoreHow Do I Look? Essay2002 Words   |  9 Pagesfemale beauty is exhibited through models and celebrities. Concerns over physical appearance increase as the age of women increases. Compared to men, women are always expected to stay young and beautiful, for that is what they represent in culture today; they are to maintain all physical traits associated with youth and beauty. As women start to realize that they are no longer viewed as young and beautiful, they tend to struggle in regaining self-esteem and value of themselves (Saucier, 2004). TheRead MoreEating Disorders Are Serious Emotional And Physical Problems1522 Words   |  7 Pages Eating disorders plague the lives of many people mentally and physically. Eating disorders are very common in the United States. More than eight million American men and women including children and adults suffer from eating disorders. There is more than one type of eating disorder. The following eating disorders are the most common ones found in the United States and other countries worldwide: Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Binge Eating disorder. There are many factors that contribute toRead MoreEating Disorders and Free Essays8687 Words   |  35 Pagesfamily influence. Anorexia Nervosa Parentlink (2008) describes anorexia as a disease where the individual person starves himself/herself even though he/she is hungry and is seen to be very thin. Furthermore he examines that observable key signs in teenagers suffering from eating disorders can be seen. It was found that â€Å"Anorexia, Bulimia and Binge eating are life threatening diseases.’’ (Voelker, 2008)... . [tags: Health, Diseases, Anorexia Nervosa, Binge Eating] 1014 words (2.9 pages) FREE EssaysRead MoreEssay on Medias Portrayal Of Beauty Affects Socieites Youth1142 Words   |  5 PagesBeauty is an omnipresent characteristic that plagues societies’ youth today because mainstream media has them convinced that inner beauty is less important than physical beauty. Unfortunately the media’s warped sense of what true beauty is has been advertised in such a way that it has become an unhealthy observation for today’s youth. The expectations of beauty are unacceptably stereotyped, which creates unrealistic idealistic goals for our young people to try to achieve. It is crucial to mentionRead MoreThe Negative Effects Of Technology Overload1572 Words   |  7 Pagesnot to wait until he was done driving to send the message. Obviously, he allowed an obsession with technology to distract him from making safe choices. This technology overload not only will affect him for the rest of his life, but it took the lives of thirteen others. While some news headlines show that the overuse of technology creates unsafe physical situations, other headlines show how it can negatively affect mental health. â€Å"There is increasing evidence that the Internet and social media canRead MoreDepression : The Common Cold Of Mental Disorders Essay1740 Words   |  7 Pagesinterest in life†. (New Oxford American Dictionary) Depression can be found in more than just the mind, it hides within one’s body, leaving the beholder immobile. Depression does not discriminate, it can affect anyone of any age, background, class, race, or religion. It affects over fifteen million adults in the United States alone. Depression is basically the common cold of mental disorders. Anyone can get it and it is extremely common. The reason why I chose this particular topic is because I suffer