Week 5 Assignment: Eating Disorders In Adolescence

Wk 5 Assgn 6200eating Disorders In Adolescenceimagine A Teen Girl Post

For this assignment, you are asked to write a 2- to 4-page paper on eating disorders in adolescence. Your paper should include the following elements:

  • Describe the role of peer relationships on the development of feeding and eating disorders in adolescence.
  • Describe the role of social media and body shaming on feeding and eating disorders in adolescence.
  • Identify one website addressing the phenomenon of pro-anorexia and describe the content (provide the webpage URL). Explain why adolescents might be drawn to this perspective.
  • Describe the biological, psychological, and social effects of feeding and eating disorders in adolescence.
  • Identify and explain a theoretical model that can be used when working with adolescents experiencing feeding and eating disorders.
  • Describe two approaches that could be useful for addressing feeding and eating disorders among adolescents.

Support your analysis with APA citations and a reference list, utilizing the provided resources and additional scholarly sources.

Paper For Above instruction

Adolescence is a critical developmental period marked by significant physical, psychological, and social changes that can influence the emergence of eating disorders. During this stage, peer relationships significantly impact adolescents' body image and eating behaviors. Peer influence can promote either positive self-perceptions or harmful behaviors related to body image. Studies indicate that peer comparison, teasing, and social acceptance or rejection are key factors in the development of feeding and eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa (Kroon et al., 2017). Adolescents often seek peer approval and may internalize negative comments about their appearance, heightening vulnerability to disordered eating patterns.

Social media has dramatically amplified these dynamics by providing platforms where idealized images of beauty are ubiquitous. The constant exposure to digitally altered and highly curated images fosters unrealistic standards of beauty, which many adolescents strive to emulate. The literature shows a strong correlation between social media use and negative body image, with platforms like Instagram and TikTok playing a pivotal role in body dissatisfaction. Marengo et al. (2018) elaborate that engaging with highly visual social media content increases internalized beauty standards, thereby escalating risks for eating disorders. Messages promoting thinness and perfection can trigger body shaming, both online and offline, reinforcing harmful appearance ideals.

Body shaming is further exacerbated by cyberbullying and negative comments posted publicly on social media platforms. The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD, n.d.) reports that adolescents exposed to body shaming are more prone to developing disordered eating behaviors as a form of coping or rebellion. Such negative feedback can lead to decreased self-esteem, depressive symptoms, and anxiety, all of which interplay with biological predispositions to mental health conditions. The pervasive nature of social media means that adolescents often compare themselves obsessively, which can lead to purging, fasting, or restrictive eating in pursuit of societal ideals.

Pro-anorexia websites represent another insidious influence. These sites promote disordered eating as a lifestyle choice, often glorifying extreme thinness and encouraging harmful behaviors. For example, the website “Thinspiration” (https://www.pro-ana.com) provides tips and encouragement for weight loss, often through pro-ana imagery and messages. Adolescents may be drawn to such sites due to feelings of shame, low self-esteem, or the desire for control over their body image. These websites create a sense of community among individuals with similar struggles, reinforcing disordered behaviors as normative or even desirable (Clark & Kinn, 2020). The allure lies in the validation and belonging adolescents seek, influenced by a quest for perfection and societal approval.

The biological impacts of eating disorders include profound effects on physical health, such as hormonal imbalances, delayed growth, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular complications (Kessler et al., 2017). Psychologically, adolescents with eating disorders often experience intense preoccupations with weight, shape, and control, leading to anxiety, depression, and social withdrawal. The social consequences include strained family relationships, academic decline, and social isolation, which further entrench maladaptive behaviors.

To effectively address eating disorders in adolescence, theoretical models such as the Cognitive-Behavioral Model (CBT) are widely used. CBT posits that distorted thoughts about body image and self-worth lead to maladaptive behaviors like dieting and purging. Through cognitive restructuring and behavioral interventions, adolescents can learn healthier ways to manage their thoughts and emotions (Fairburn et al., 2015). Additionally, the Family-Based Treatment (FBT) approach emphasizes family involvement to restore healthy eating patterns and address underlying familial dynamics contributing to the disorder (Le Grange et al., 2019).

Two intervention strategies include psychoeducation and media literacy programs. Psychoeducation helps adolescents understand the health risks associated with eating disorders and promotes self-acceptance (Rodgers et al., 2017). Media literacy, on the other hand, equips adolescents with critical skills to analyze and question societal beauty standards and social media content, reducing internalization of unrealistic ideals (Halliwell & Dyer, 2020). Both approaches aim to empower adolescents to develop resilient self-images, challenging the pervasive influences encouraging disordered eating behaviors.

References

  • Clark, A., & Kinn, T. (2020). Influence of pro-ana websites on adolescent eating behaviors. Journal of Youth Studies, 23(4), 520–535.
  • Fairburn, C. G., Cooper, Z., & Shafran, R. (2015). Cognitive-behavioral therapy for eating disorders: A comprehensive guide. Guilford Publications.
  • Halliwell, E., & Dyer, K. (2020). Media literacy interventions to reduce appearance ideal internalization among adolescents: A systematic review. Journal of Adolescent Health, 66(2), 123–132.
  • Kessler, R. C., et al. (2017). The health impact of eating disorders in adolescents. Psychiatry Research, 253, 200–207.
  • Kroon, J., et al. (2017). Peer influence and body dissatisfaction among adolescents. European Journal of Developmental Psychology, 15(2), 149–162.
  • Le Grange, D., et al. (2019). Family-based treatment for adolescent eating disorders. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 60(4), 357–368.
  • Marengo, D., Longobardi, C., Fabris, M. A., & Settanni, M. (2018). Highly-visual social media and internalizing symptoms in adolescence: The mediating role of body image concerns. Computers in Human Behavior, 82, 63–69.
  • National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD). (n.d.). Body shaming. https://anad.org/resources/body-shaming/
  • Rodgers, R. F., et al. (2017). Media literacy interventions to reduce beauty standards internalization among adolescents. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 46, 3–21.
  • Salomon, I., & Brown, C. S. (2019). The selfie generation: Examining the relationship between social media use and early adolescent body image. The Journal of Early Adolescence, 39(4), 539–560.

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