BỘ GIÁO DỤC VÀ ĐÀO HANOI UNIVERSITY

TẠO ENGLISH FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES

TRƯỜNG ĐẠI HỌC HÀ DEPARTEMENT
NỘI

EATING DISODERS IN ADOLESCENTS:

CAUSES, EFFECTS AND TREATMENTS

Teacher: Ms. Thao Quyen

Student: Nguyen Thanh Hien
Class: 4KT-18
Course: EAP Writing
Date: February 28, 2019
 ABSTRACT

Recent years, eating disorders has become a major problem with the physical and
psychological health of young people. This paper, based on secondary research,
discusses three aspects of eating disorders, namely major causes, adverse
impacts and possible treatments to these illnesses. The findings of the research
indicate that eating disorders are serious and even life-threatening problems with
a number of mental and physical consequences which stem from various
biological and sociocultural factors. Therefore, based on these findings, the
research paper draws the conclusion that proper measures should be taken to
help adolescents with eating disorders recover from these extreme dieting
behaviors as soon as possible.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABSTRACT.......................................................................................................................i
1. Introduction...............................................................................................................1
2. Discussion of findings................................................................................................1
2.1. What causes eating disorders?.......................................................................1
2.2. What are the effects of eating disorders? .....................................................2
2.3. What are the possible treatments for eating disorders?..............................4
3. Conclusion...................................................................................................................5
REFERENCES..................................................................................................................6

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1. Introduction
In modern times, it is commonly believed that eating disorders are a trend or a lifestyle
choice. However, as defined by Ranna Parekh (2017), “eating disorders are actually
illnesses in which the people experience severe disturbances in their eating behaviors and
related thoughts and emotions”. In fact, these eating disturbances are related to the
insufficient or excessive food intake that eventually has a negative effect on human well-
being (Jacquelyn Ekern, 2018). According to her claim, three most common types of
eating disorders are Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Binge Eating Disorder.
Also, while those illnesses are able to do harm to both genders of all ages and
backgrounds, adolescents seem to be the most at-risk group of people who may suffer
from an eating disorder (Eating Disorders Victoria, 2017). Alarmingly, the statistics of
the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) estimates
that more than 95% of people with eating disorders aged between 12 and 25. Moreover,
the National Institute of Mental Health also claims that about 2.7% of teenagers in 13-18
age group have problems with eating disorders. Thus, this paper, based on secondary
data, discusses the causes, effects and several treatments to eating disorders in attempt to
give people, especially the youth an in-depth understanding of these mental and physical
illnesses.
2. Discussion of findings
2.1. What causes eating disorders?
Any patient may suffer from an eating disorder which is caused by a complicated
combination of factors (Tabitha Farrar, 2014). First of all, genetics seems to be the most
significant factor contributing to the risk for eating disorders in adolescents. In fact, a
number of research studies have shown that a person who has a family member with an
eating disorder is 11 times more likely to get the same illness. In other words, eating
disorders can be hereditary. Besides, as reported by Kelly Klump (2007), the origin of
eating disorders has biological beginnings. She further states that there is also an
increasing risk for the development of an eating disorder during puberty. Surprisingly, it
is important to note that genetic factors which appear in the puberty process make up
almost 50% of this risk. Clearly, her findings emphasize the considerable growth in
genetic effects when adolescents reach puberty.

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Additionally, according to Lauren Muhlheim (2018), negative body image (the feeling of
dissatisfaction with one’s own appearance) is a prominent contributor that leads to eating
disorders in teenagers. That is, since many of them attach great importance to their body
shape and weight when defining their personal values, they tend to indulge in unhealthy
behavior such as dieting with a view to relieve their body dissatisfaction. Worryingly, as
reported by the site Stage Of Life (2012), 20% of adolescents are unhappy with their
body image as well as 44% of them skip meals as effective method to control or lose
weight.
Last but not least, social media also encourages adolescents to engage in disordered
eating patterns (Greta Gleissner, 2017). Now more than ever, with the great variety of
social media platforms used by this age group, it seems to be quite difficult to avoid the
pressures and impacts from social media. It points out that individuals are likely to
unceasingly compare their own figures to those of their slim peers, skinny models and
celebrities on social media. Therefore, they inevitably become more and more obsessed
by the thought of “idea body type”, which directly affects their attitude to food.
Furthermore, social media has made it easier for body-shaming and bullying to happen
more frequently. These days, body shamers express negative opinion about someone’s
appearance via social media platforms. Indeed, that has enormous impact on a young
person’s eating habits; for instance, people who experience bullying several times may
suddenly skip meals to deal with distress. In fact, according to the National Eating
Disorders Association, approximately 65% of people who suffer from eating disorders
claim that their condition is associated with bullying.
2.2. What are the effects of eating disorders?
First and foremost, eating disorders have an adverse impact on the physical health of
adolescent patients. According to Crystal Karges (2016), although several physical
effects of these illnesses are not likely to apparent immediately, it should be noted that
they can emerge later in life as individuals get older and enter adulthood. Also, without
sufficient nutrition and calories intake, eating disorder patients may suffer from
malnutrition, which can lead to serious damage to their organ systems. As a matter of
fact, when the body is not provided with adequate nutrition and necessary calories, it
begins to break down its tissues for energy to function normally. Gradually, this can do

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harm to crucial organs such as making heart and brain become smaller or causing overall
muscle loss and bone loss. Apart from that, for adolescents, the health risks even include
growth and developmental impairment, both physically and cognitively. Moreover,
overweight and obese individuals with eating disorders may get serious long-term health
problems including heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes
(Joseph Goldberg, 2017).
Furthermore, apart from physical health, eating disorders also bring about psychological
abnormalities. As Kelly Morris (2009) stated, adolescents who suffer from these illnesses
are more prone to anxiety as well as depression, and those feeling even get worse when
the disease develops. Additionally, since eating disorders often occur along with other
mental disorders such as depression, there is an increasing risk for self-harmful or self-
destructive behaviors in patients; for instance, they may cut or burn themselves to relieve
the painful emotions they have experienced. Also, psychological effects include the lack
of interest when adolescents make or do things, even their hobbies. This combined with
low self-esteem can lead to social isolation and difficulty in maintaining healthy
relationships with other people. Even worse, according to Rebecca Berman (2015), eating
disorders are commonly accompanied with suicidal attempts or behaviors. In fact, suicide
is the most common culprit which causes the death of patients with eating disorders.
Moreover, the mortality rate of eating disorder is 12 times higher than that of all causes
leading to death in girls and young women aged from 15 to 24, making it the most fatal
mental illness (NEDC, 2010).
In addition, eating disorders terribly affect adolescents’ social interactions, which brings
more pain and sorrow to their lives. In fact, the impact of these illnesses on relationships
eventually turns out to be negative and destructive (Francesca Baker, 2015). Also, she
explains that adolescents with eating disorders often concentrate more on their illnesses
instead of using their energy to build connection with others; however, most of people
enjoy friends who are sociable and energetic rather than those who are obsessive, bad-
tempered and mainly care about themselves. Not surprisingly, as individuals may believe
that people around them cannot accept their appearance as well as their abnormal eating
habits, they gradually become isolated and susceptive to any judgment. They tend to
refuse the help from others; therefore, healthy people who try to help may feel their

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support is futile, not helpful and no longer want to form relationships with individuals
with eating disorders.
2.3. What are the possible treatments for eating disorders?
Recovery from eating disorders is certainly a challenging process. According to Lauren
Muhlheim (2017), eating disorders cannot be completely treated by medications like
other mental disorders since medications may have a risk for side effects. Instead,
balanced diet and the normalization of patients’ eating habits seem to be more effective.
However, she further states that psychiatric medication is able to help the treatment more
successful in some cases, especially for those who have problems with depression and
anxiety along with eating disorders.
Additionally, a recommended treatment for these illnesses is psychotherapy, which is
also known as counseling or talking to psychologists and advisors (Arnold Lieber, 2018).
With the help from this kind of therapy, patients gradually learn to cope with the thoughts
and behaviors that contribute to negative body image and abnormal eating patterns as
well as replace them with healthier ones. Also, a number of mental health professionals
suggest psychotherapy can be done in family as they have proved that improving
communication among members in family can reduce stress which is associated with
eating disorders in teenagers.
Furthermore, he also mentions in-patient treatment, which is recommended if patients’
malnutrition or complications become severe or even fatal. Unlike other therapies, in-
patient treatment is more intensive as patient will stay in a live-in facility and receive 24
hour care for a long period of time, often for months. This therapy is considered to be
more effective because it helps to promote better mental and physical health.
Last but not least, as reported by Nicole Garber (2015), nutrition therapy is also regarded
as a crucial aspect of a comprehensive treatment plan for people with eating disorders. In
this type of treatment, nutritionists establish specific meal plans for individuals due to
their circumstances and goals. Patients, therefore, can benefit from learning healthy
eating habits and maintaining healthy body weight.
3. Conclusion
This research has shown that eating disorders are severe and serious mental and physical
illnesses which not only affect adolescents with these illnesses but also their families,

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relatives and friends. Whether the patients are influenced by biological elements or
sociocultural factors, the impact of eating disorders on their bodies and lives is
devastating. Therefore, it is important for family members and peers to support the
people with eating disorders by encouraging them to engage in healthy eating habits and
seeking appropriate medical attention. Also, adolescents who suffer from eating disorders
should learn to care and nurture themselves in order to recover better from these diseases.
Besides, they need to enhance self-esteem along with solid self-concept to escape from
negative thoughts of their appearances and relationships. A new approach to prevent
adolescents from eating disorders would be for the parents to encourage their children to
have balanced diet and exercises regularly instead of talking or teasing teenagers about
their weight. Obviously, this will take time and a great deal of efforts to overcome eating
disorders; however, it is more important to live a healthy life with lots of happiness rather
than a life which is full of misery.

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 REFERENCES

Baker, F. (2015). How eating disorders affect relationship. Retrieved from

https://www.recoverywarriors.com/how-eating-disorders-affect-relationships/

Berman, R. (2015). Eating Disorders and Suicide. Retrieved from

https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/treatment-for-eating-disorders/eating-
disorders-and-suicide

Eating Disorder Hope (2017). Eating Disorder Statistics & Research. Retrieved from
https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/information/statistics-studies

Eating Disorders Victoria (2017). Eating Disorders and Adolescents. Retrieved from
https://www.eatingdisorders.org.au/eating-disorders/eating-disorders-children-
teens-and-older-adults/eating-disorders-a-adolescents

Ekern, J. (2018). Eating Disorders: Causes, Symptoms, Signs & Medical Complications.
Retrieved from https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/information/eating-disorder

Farrar, T. (2014). Causes of Eating Disorders. Retrieved from https://www.mirror-

mirror.org/causes-of-eating-disorders.htm

Garber, N. (2015). Medical Nutrition Therapy and Eating Disorders. Retrieved from
https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/recovery/self-help-tools-skills-tips/medical-
nutrition-therapy-and-eating-disorders

Genetic Factors for Eating Disorders Discovered (2007). Genetic Risk Factors For
Eating Disorders Discovered. Retrieved from
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/05/070511150158.htm

Gleissner, G. (2017). Social Media and its Effect on Eating Disorders. Retrieved from
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/social-media-and-its-effect-on-eating-
disorders_us_591343bce4b0e3bb894d5caa

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Goldberg, J. (2017). Serious Health Problems Caused by Binge Eating. Retrieved from
https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/eating-disorders/binge-eating-
disorder/health-problems-binge-eating

Karges, C. (2016). Anorexia Nervosa: Long Term Effects on Physical Health. Retrieved
from https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/blog/anorexia-nervosa-long-term-
effects-on-physical-health

Lieber, A. (2018). Eating Disorders - A Guide to Getting Treatment for A Healthy

Future. Retrieved from
https://www.psycom.net/depression.central.eating.html#sideeffects

Morris, K. (2009). Anorexia and Effect. Retrieved from https://www.mirror-

mirror.org/anorexia-and-effect.htm

Muhlheim, L. (2017). Can Medication Help My Eating Disorder?. Retrieved from

https://www.verywellmind.com/medications-used-to-treat-eating-disorders-
4153046

Muhlheim, L. (2018). Body Image and Eating Disorders. Retrieved from

https://www.verywellmind.com/body-image-and-eating-disorders-4149424

Statistics about Teens and Body Image (2012). Teens & Body Image. Retrieved from
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