Understanding Eating Disorders through a Biomedical Model or by Socio-Cultural Analysis

Anorexia nervosa, otherwise stated as anorexia, is an eating disorder that occurs when an individual restricts themselves from necessary energy intake which leads to significantly low body weight. Other characteristics of this disorder include: intense fear of becoming fat or gaining weight, persistent behavior that interferes with weight gain, and disturbances of perception and experience of their own body weight and shape (DSM V, 2013). Effective treatments are still trying to be researched for this disorder, as there is not a “one size fits all” for people of all age groups, living situations, etc. Since adolescents with anorexia are such a vulnerable population,

Eating disorders have become an increasing public health problem once thought to be an affliction amongst young women, now an epidemic across culture and gender boundaries. Anorexia gives rise to serious socio-economic and bio-psychological circumstances of our ever vast, growing society. Awareness of eating disorders have increased but perhaps only in proportion to its advancement of its research and treatment. That which still leaves us in a position for a much greater demand for education and heightened awareness of this perplexing disease.

In fact, the victims are mostly under or below weight according to the body mass index scale. (Anorexics).However, “Someone with anorexia may also have a distorted body image, shown by thinking she or he is fat” (Anorexia Nervosa). Viewing themselves as fat causes them to purge (forcive vomit). Many of the victims are aware of the health effects caused by purging. However, victims of anorexia only consider what they believe is what is truly seen. These victims will do anything to make sure their issue of being “fat” is resolved. The terrible fact about this mentality is that the victim’s mind will not allow them to see anything other than “fat”. So, telling a victim repeatedly that they are not fat will not be an effective solution to their problem. Thus, making anorexia not only a physical disorder but a mental disorder as well.

The brain is a changing part of the body. During a lifetime, many think that their bodies are not the way society says they should be. Because of the disfigured views of their bodies, people begin to develop eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa. According to Mental Health by Jennifer Hurley, symptoms of anorexia include an unhealthy and unnatural fear of gaining weight, even if the person affected is at a stable body weight. The book continues on by saying that this eating disorder is a mental disorder that may be caused by academic, social, and family problems (Hurley 33). Anorexia nervosa can be treated by therapy.

Eating disorders are abolishing people day by day. According to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, up to 24 million people of all ages and genders suffer from an eating disorder in the United States. These mental monsters are not physical, but they are mentally destroying a person’s thoughts, which effect their overall actions. Not only are eating disorders caused by unrealistic societal expectations, but the monsters come out through the psychological aspects as well.

Anorexia Nervosa is an eating and psychological disorder. This condition goes beyond weight control; the patient starts a diet to lose weight until it becomes a symbol of power and control. Thus, the individual comes to the brink of starvation in order to feel control over their own body. This obsession is similar to an addiction to any drug or substance. According to the Doctors Lemberg and Cohn (1999), eating disorders contribute to the increase of mortality rate; “Aggregate annual mortality rates associated

Bulimia and Anorexia Nervosa is a serious issue in the world today. I feel that the issue of eating disorders does not gain enough attention from society especially because of its relevance to young females. These unhealthy eating habits are a social injustice issue because the various types of media that disperse an unrealistic image of female beauty. Society takes these images as a standard of how a woman should look. Women will go to the extreme to meet those qualifications to fit society’s female image.

Social interactions play a big part in contributing to eating disorder. Eating disorders are usually caused by concern over their body image, but why are they concerned with it? People are usually concern over their body image due the interaction they have with people around them and also the labels they have with them. For instance, there was once that I am concerned that I might have eating disorder because on how concern I am over my body image. My weight have a sharp rise when I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and everybody around me is asking whether or not I put on weight and my mother constantly commenting on how I could not fit into my clothes anymore. Besides that, the label of ‘fatty’ that I always get from my siblings deeply affect

Background: Anorexia Nervosa is one of the most common eating disorders that are effecting the lives of women all over the world. Anorexia nervosa was first talked about in the year 1684, it wasn’t until the 19th century (1870) that it became known as an illness and medical professionals started coming up with a diagnosis.

Anorexia is categorised as a restriction of ‘energy intake’ (calories), leading to significantly low body weight, an intense fear of weight gain and disturbance in how an individual perceives their shape or weight. There

Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses that are influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Anorexia Nervosa is the most prevalent eating disorder marked by an inability to maintain a healthy body weight. No matter how much weight is lost the individual continues to strive for more weight loss and see themselves as fat even when they are severely underweight. Individuals experience an intense fear of gaining weight and refuse to acknowledge the seriousness of their low body weight. Assessing individuals with eating disorders is often challenging due to denial of the illness and their ability to hide signs and symptoms (Beidel, 2014.)

At present, it is not uncommon to see young women with some type of eating disorders. On the same hand, it has no longer limited to a specific ethnic group, class, or even gender according to the conventional clinical research (Abrams & Stormer, 2002; Altabe, 1998; Atlas Smith, Hohlstein, McCarthy, & Kroll, 2002; Barry & Grilo, 2002; Botta, 2000; Demarest & Allen, 2000; Goodman, 2002; Gordon, 1988, 1990; Hesse-Biber, 1996; Kolodny, 2004; Molloy & Herzberger, 1998; Nielson, 2000). As stated by The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD), women who suffered from anorexia within ten years range from five percent to ten percent whereas eighteen to twenty percent of anorexic will be dead when the disorder was contracted for twenty years. Hopefully, around thirty to forty percent of the patients are cured although the remaining twenty can have a rebound effect.

There are several different types of eating disorders prevalent in today's society. The different types include: Bulimia Nervosa, Anorexia Nervosa, and Binge Eating. Each disorder relates back to self image, and how one feels about themself, relating to this is the disorder called: Body dysmorphic image. Those who suffer from this disorder, obsess over a perceived flaw in appearance. Majority of eating disorders relate back to anxiety disorders. Eating disorders are caused by environmental and neurological factors. Those who suffer from different eating disorders, often feel pressure from society to fit in, to look attractive and to live a comfortable and happy life. To want a healthy lifestyle isn’t bad, but the way people with these disorders

Anorexia Nervosa is an eating disorder that is most prevalent in adolescent girls and young women. It is distinguished by the loss of at least 15% of the expected body weight (Long). The disease is characterized by the obsessive fear of gaining weight; through this fear, the person engages in dangerous dieting habits that prevent weight gain. According to statistics in 2011 anorexia is categorized as the third most common chronic disease among adolescents, in addition, eating disorders also have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness (Wilkins). Anorexia is a life-threatening disorder that I have only been slightly aware of. I was aware that anorexia was characterized by a serious amount of weight loss however, I never expected

How many of you have ever battled an eating disorder or known someone with an eating disorder? One or two of every 100 students will struggle or have struggled with an eating disorder. An anonymous quote from someone who struggled an eating disorder once said “Nothing matters when I’m thin”. Anyone of us in this room is at risk of an eating disorder. Females have to maintain that ‘normal’ look to fit in with society. More guys are seeking help for eating disorders as well. Guys with eating disorders tend to focus more on athletic appearance or success than just on looking thin. I’m going to inform you today about anorexia; what it is, signs, causes, effects, and possible treatments to help it.