Essay about Socio-Cultural Influences on Eating Disorders

Disturbances in the levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin appear to be a characteristic of individuals with eating disorders. Kaye 2005 found a reduction in the levels of the serotonin metabolite 5-HIAA in people with eating disorders. This suggests that brain serotonin pathways are underactive. Using PET scans it has been shown that there are fewer serotonin receptors in the brains of those with eating disorders. The brain serotonin system has been implicated in personality traits linked with eating disorders such as

Despite a substantial amount of research, clinicians are unable to come to a consensus on a sole etiology of eating disorders; therefore, it is theorized that eating disorders can be viewed as multi-determined. This theory indicates that the onset of eating disorders occurs due to a variety of predisposing factors, such as the family, psychological, athleticism, biological and socio-cultural components. In other words, there is an interplay of both genetic and environmental factors which ultimately influence the onset of eating disorders.

Although difficult to point fingers at a single source for the reason eating disorders exist, it can be said that media, specifically, does have a negative influence on the amount of confidence in one’s self-image. On the other hand, media is not the only one to blame and therefore, media should not be overlooked, but other sources have proven guilty as well such as genetics, environment, and culture. With altered images being presented in formats of media such as magazines, commercials and social media, many teens find themselves pressured to look the same. Society has placed a standard of what a “beautiful” body looks like giving teens the idea that in order to be beautiful they must look like that too. This however, is a misconception as

Eating disorders rank among the 10 leading causes of disability among woman (Stiegel-Moore and Bulik, 2007, page 181), and is seen as a serve mental disorder (Garner and Garfinkel, 1980). Anorexia is the extreme fear of gaining weight or being fat, therefore leading to a period of starvation, and a particularly low body weight. There is significant research into anorexia nervosa that heavily focuses on its biological causes, and how an individual may be susceptible due to genetic predispositions or specific neurotransmitters in their bodies. Although this is simplifying the complex phenomena, such a reductionist approach is useful in terms of treating a patient, and takes the blame off the individual. However, social issues are disregarded

Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa are a few of the most common disorders struggled with today. Anorexia Nervosa is a condition of the intense fear to gain weight, which results in consistent lack of eating. Bulimia Nervosa, involves frequent episodes of binge eating followed by throwing up because of fear of gaining weight. The mortality rate for anorexia is the highest of all mental disorders yet the genetic factors relating them were not a huge concern to look into. It is easy to think that Anorexia and Bulimia are mentality induced only, but there are indeed genetic factors related despite how small the evidence may be. Personality disorders are heritable, and are commonly developed after an eating disorder or a large reason someone develops one. The study of serotonin, a compound found in Bulimia, Anorexia and depression, can be passed down through genes and they play a small part in eating disorders worth acknowledging. Inheriting genes that make an individual athletic naturally can affect the chances of eating disorder. There is no evidence that one particular gene could cause an eating disorder, but there are various traits and levels of compounds that when inherited, increase the likelihood of developing one.

This paper investigates five scholarly articles which researched and reported upon the correlation of heredity and genetics factors upon disordered eating behaviors in individuals. Some of the articles argue that genetics and physiology play a more important role in the formation of disordered eating behaviors, while others assert that nurture and environment have a larger role on their development. Many times, articles examine a larger scope of risk factors, focusing on the genetic and the environmental factors and how both can play a part in the development of eating disorders and associated behaviors.

Adolescents and adults are hurting themselves trying to achieve the “ideal thin”. There has not been as much progress with eating disorders as there has been with other mental disorders, like anxiety and depression. In Wilson et al paper he listed one of the problems with treating eating disorder is, “Few doctoral programs in psychology in the United States off a systemic focus on eating disorders despite the wide spread interest among some of the most talented under graduate students aspiring to careers in clinical psychology (212)”. The three categories’ for eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and eating disorders not otherwise

*Fairburn, C.G., Harrison, P.J. (2003). Eating disorders. Lancet, 361(9355), 407-416. Retrieved March 2, 2010, from Medline database.

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.)

In addition, the issue of eating disorders is even more complicated if we consider the variety and uncertainty of its factors. There is no single cause: However, studies show that there is surely a large psychological component in this disease. Things such as low self-esteem, anxious or impulsive personality, depression, loneliness and perfectionist attitudes tend to be associated to e.d., as well as obsessive compulsive traits in

First, eating disorders have a variety of causes that make an influence. The media’s portrayal of beauty is one of the most visible causes among critics and the perspective

“Many people with anorexia also have coexisting psychiatric and physical illnesses including depression, anxiety, obsessive behavior, substance abuse, cardiovascular and neurological complications, and impaired physical development” (“Biological and Psychological Factors…” 55). In addition to mental illnesses, the effects of the eating disorder are also a problem that comes up. The average mental illnesses that are seen in patients with eating disorders are often depression and anxiety. “Anorexia nervosa is frequently associated with symptoms of depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive behavior” (Holtkamp). These mental illnesses can latch themselves onto the brain of an eating disorder victim and cause a deadly problem. Depression and anxiety are not the only mental diseases that are associated with eating disorders; in fact, many more illnesses are classified with them. “Some researchers believe that an imbalance in the brain chemical serotonin underlies bulimia, as well as other types of compulsive behavior” (Ross-Flanigan). These behaviors are due to psychological issues that have been inflamed. This is not only common in just bulimia; it can be among other disorders as well. Patients who have had eating disorders before are likely to acquire them again. “...a higher degree of depressive, anxious, and obsessive-compulsive features may be personality traits in subjects

Eating disorders are developed through a number of different factors. These factors are genetics, psychology, behaviors, social environment and biologically. Genetics means that a certain eating disorder (or more) could be common in the family. People who are genetically inept to this disease are eight times more likely to give into the impulsive behaviors that lead to eating disorders. Problems due to behavior or

Along with society and mental health affecting eating disorders in teens, genetics play a part in it

It is nearly impossible to open a newspaper or magazine, listen to the radio, shop at a mall or turn on the TV without being confronted with the message that to be fat is to be undesirable (Media Influence 1). A study showed that women experience an average of 13 negative thoughts about their body each day, while ninety-seven percent of women admit to having at least one “I hate my body” moment each day (Media Influence 1). The media portrays “perfect-people” as skinny, desirable people you see in magazines and on television. “Although thin models are not the cause of eating disorders, they can be a trigger or factor in maintain an eating disorder (Pearson, Catherine 1). In other words, if a woman has a predisposition for an eating