Anorexia nervosa is characterized by an irrational dread of becoming fat coupled with a relentless pursuit of thinness. With anorexia nervosa, a person experiences intentional period of starvation which may brings out binging and purging. With the effects of dieting and idealism that skinny women are far more attractive, more perfect, an epitome of beauty.
Anorexic eating behavior is thought to originate from an obsessive fear of gaining weight due to a distorted self image and is maintained by various cognitive biases that alter how the affected individual evaluates and thinks about their body, food and eating. This is not a perceptual problem, but one of how the perceptual information is evaluated by the affected person.
Sociocultural studies have highlighted the role of cultural factors, such as the promotion of thinness as the ideal female form in Western industrialized nations, particularly through the media. In a recent epidemiological study of 989,871 Swedish residents indicated that gender, ethnicity and socio-economic status were large influences on the chance of developing anorexia, with those with non-European parents among the least likely to be diagnosed with the condition, and those in wealthy, white families being most at risk. People in professions where there is a particular social pressure to be thin (such as models and dancers) were much more likely to develop anorexia during the course of their career, and further research has suggested that those with anorexia have much higher contact with cultural sources that promote weight-loss. Although our culture’s idealization of thinness plays a powerful role in the development of anorexia, there are other contributing factors.
Surprisingly, people with anorexia are often perfectionists and overachievers. They’re the ones who excels in everything they do and are more focuses on meeting other peop’s expectation but deep inside they feel helpless, inadequate, and worthless. They view themselves through a harshly critical lens. If they’re not perfect, they’re a total failure.
In addition to the cultural pressure to be thin, there are other family and social pressures that can contribute to anorexia. This includes participation in an activity that demands slenderness, such as ballet, gymnastics, or modeling. It also includes having parents who are overly controlling, put a lot of emphasis on looks, diet them, or criticize their children’s bodies and appearance. Stressful life events—such as the onset of puberty, a breakup, or going away to school—can also trigger anorexia.
As an advocate of healthy living among teens, I would recommend to youngsters or to even parents out there to develop means or ways by which both parties can interact with each other like going out for a fishing trip. Whenever I go out for my fishing trips, I always use my favorite Van Staal Spinning Reels. You can usually buy a Van Staal Spinning Reel nowadays at your favorite stores. And because, family is still serves as the solid foundation for a teen, I recommend you go out for fishing more often and show your child how much he/ she is valued.
Read More About: Understanding Anorexia Nervosa And What Are The Factors Contributes To The Development
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