How Eating Disorders are Affecting Young Girls in the U.S.

How Eating Disorders are Affecting Young Girls in the U.S.A

Miriam I. Lopez Hernandez
California State University Monterey Bay

How Eating Disorders are Affecting Young Girls in the U.S.A

Critical Situation
Over the years, the number of individuals experiencing high levels of body dissatisfaction, body
distortion and eating disorders has grown in epidemic proportions. Societal standards, by which
women and even men are judged, have become increasingly stringent and more difficult to
attain. (Konti, O., 2012)

Kairos
Investigators of a study of a large of American children aged 914 years reported that 7.1% of
boys and 13.4% of girls displayed disordered eating behaviors. (Treasure, J., 2010)

Stakeholders
Primary: Young Girls with eating disorders- affected by exposure to unreachable standards of
beauty within society.
Secondary: Parents, family, and friends of girls affected by eating disorders- may have to deal
with the effects eating disorders have on personalities and health
Tertiary: medical health boards- have the power to require doctors to look for early symptoms of
eating disorders; Health providers- create policies regarding eating disorder treatment and
therapies; Schools- should provide a safe environment for students

Points of Stasis
Policy/procedure
Experts working in eating disorders or related fields have called for multiple policy
interventions and regulations, including efforts to achieve equitable treatment and insurance
coverage for eating disorders, implement school-based screening for eating disorders, place
government restrictions on access to over-the-counter drugs and supplements for weight control
by youths, require policies to address eating disorders in college athletic programs, curtail
weight-related mistreatment and bullying among youth in schools, and implement legal
protections against weight discrimination (Austin, S., 2014)

How Eating Disorders are Affecting Young Girls in the U.S.A

Causes

o
o

o
o
o

o
o

Biological Risk factors

Age
Adolescents are higher risk
Gender
Females are higher risk
Psychological and emotional health
Genetics
Social environment
Stigma related to body weight
Stress
Family history
Socio-cultural factors
Ethnicity/Race
Cultural pressures to be thin perpetuated by
Media
Fashion
Diet industries
Normalization of dieting
Weight-based teasing in modern society
(Austin, S., 2014)
Effects

o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o

Depression
Suicidal thoughts/behavior
Withdrawal from friends and family
Work and school issues
Health/Medical Problems
Muscle loss and weakness.
Severe dehydration, which can result in kidney failure.
Fainting, fatigue, and overall weakness.
Dry hair and skin; hair loss is common.
Tooth decay
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Problems with growth and development
Could lead to death
(Mayo Clinic, 2015)
Community Connection
Schools should create a safer environment where bullying based on physical appearance
is not tolerated. Local health agencies to create prevention programs/ educational campaigns to
be able to detect risky eating behaviors before turning into a eating disorder. Nutrition classes

How Eating Disorders are Affecting Young Girls in the U.S.A

should be available in adolescents schools where they can learn how to have a nutritious diet
while trying to lose weight.
Proposed References
Austin, S. , Luedicke, J. , King, K. , Puhl, R. , & NeumarkSztainer, D. (2014). Setting policy
priorities to address eating disorders and weight stigma: Views from the field of
eating disorders and the us general public.BMC Public Health, 14, 525.
Blodgett Salafia, E. , Jones, M. , Haugen, E. , & Schaefer, M. (2015). Perceptions of the
causes of eating disorders: A comparison of individuals with and without eating
disorders. Journal of Eating Disorders, 3, 32.
Eating

disorders. (2015, February 14). Retrieved September 27, 2015, from

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/eating-disorders/basics/definition/con20033575

Konti, O. , Vasiljevi, N. , Trisovi, M. , Jorga, J. , Laki, A. , et al. (2012). Eating disorders.

Srpski Arhiv Za Celokupno Lekarstvo, 140(9-10), 673.
Striegel-Moore, R. , & Bulik, C. (2007). Risk factors for eating disorders. American
Psychologist, 62(3), 181-198.
Treasure, J. , Claudino, A. , & Zucker, N. (2010). Eating disorders. The Lancet,375(9714),
583