Causes Of Teenage Eating Disorders - Why And How They HappenEating disorders are very common among teenagers, particularly in the western world. Teenage years are usually the period when an individual feels unsure of himself or herself and is more prone to peer pressure and trend influences. The causes of eating problems can be emotional, social and have even been stated as genetic. Social pressure The media, particularly Hollywood media, has inundated the public with images of thin girls. Although problems in eating habits can also occur in boys or men, they are more common in women and teenage girls. Pictures of super slim models and celebrities and actresses with svelte figures, sometimes bordering on being stick thin, have put an image into most teen girls' mind that this is the figure that they should have. Although it is not the intention of the media or Hollywood celebrities to promote this kind of thinking, teenagers usually adopt whatever they see on TV, the Internet and in their peers as their own habits and beliefs. Emotional causes and effects Once this super thin image has taken root on a teenager's mind, she will likely do something to achieve the kind of figure that she believes is the right one for her. During the teenage period, it is but natural for a person to gain some weight since it is a time of physical change and development. This normal gain weight can be construed as wrong and a teenager, already made vulnerable by what she sees on TV and in her contemporaries, might resort to drastic methods to lose weight, like excessive dieting, compulsive exercising and starving herself. Social pressure and the media are not the only causes of eating disorders. Emotional causes like family problems, a break-up with a boyfriend (or girlfriend), a fight with friends and other situations that can take their toll on emotions can cause a person to swear off food or eat excessively, which can both be categorized as eating problems. Genetic and family influences There have been studies which presented facts that eating problems might be caused by genetic factors. If one or two family members are obsessed with losing weight, this can also influence a teenager to follow suit. The thing is, teenage years are a time of self-doubt and insecurities for most young adults, and whatever their environment demands of them or shows them can have strong effects on their perception of what's right and what's wrong. Treatment for eating disorders is available. Families who have teenagers suffering from these conditions can get help from professionals and clinics that specialize in treating the problem. The most important thing to remember is to provide a sound, healthy environment to your teenage son or daughter and offer him or her emotional support needed for situations like these. |