What Factors Contribute To The Development Of An Eating Disorder?
We are aware that many people experience the development of an eating disorder. We hear most about girls, but it also affects boys. It is also well known that they create many health problems for the people who suffer from them.
However, an eating disorder also has consequences on a psychological and social level. Interpersonal relationships worsen, and emotional discomfort becomes more prominent. The fact is that an eating disorder is a threat to the life of the victim, so it is important to understand what factors or variables are associated with the development of an eating disorder so that we can work to prevent them. Remember that it is easier to prevent than to cure!
The relationship between body image and the development of an eating disorder
When it comes to body image and eating disorders, we need to take into account two concepts: Dissatisfaction and Distortion. Underestimating or overestimating your body, or perceiving it in a distorted way, may cause you to perceive it as weighing something wrong.
This will generate dissatisfaction with your body image, triggering a series of negative emotions that you will try to regulate with food. Thus, you enter a vicious circle of dieting and are constantly trying to achieve unrealistic beauty standards – and even more than that.
This is how society affects the development of an eating disorder
Of course, we must not forget that dissatisfaction and distortion of the body image is nurtured by and in some cases created by the society of which we are a part. Being thin is promoted as desirable. In addition, being young, having prestige, high self-esteem and elegance are associated with positive values. In short, it is associated with the basic condition of social acceptance.
At the same time, being overweight (even just a little bit) is associated with negative values such as lethargy, lack of willpower, unhygiene, etc. This causes people to go on “miracle cures” to try to lose weight in a very short time. However, this can get out of control and end up with eating restrictions that go too far
This has a greater impact on young women and teenagers. But why is this? This is simply because the need to be thin is more culturally conditioned among these groups. To achieve these values associated with being thin, they have to lose a tremendous amount of weight.
But a person’s closest friends and family can also play a big role. Living in a family where physical appearance and diet are overly important is another risk factor. The same can happen if you have friends with an eating disorder; it can be contagious.
In short, there are many factors that play a role in the development of an eating disorder. Taking them into account will help us try to dedicate values to self-esteem and personal building that focus on other than body weight in young people… Do your part to create a change!
Photos by: Jairo Alzate, Jennifer Burk and Dominik Martin
