Week 5 Assignment: Eating Disorders In Adolescence 784344

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

Wk 5 Assgn 6200eating Disorders In Adolescenceimagine A Teen Girl Post wk 5 assgn 6200 EATING DISORDERS IN ADOLESCENCE Imagine a teen girl posting a selfie on social media. She likes the picture because she is smiling in it and the sun is shining on her nicely. Later that day, she reads the comments, which are mostly positive, but one person has posted a negative comment about her being “fat.” How might that affect an adolescent who is already feeling vulnerable? Similar scenes of “body shaming” play out in the lives of adolescents trying to navigate cultural understandings of beauty, pressure from peers to fit in, and constant images of “perfect bodies” shown on TV and in movies. Social media, because it is so ubiquitous, can be particularly hurtful.

These pressures can combine with biological and psychological factors to promote an adolescent’s negative body image, purging and fasting behavior, or even an eating disorder. For this Assignment, you examine the occurrence of eating disorders and consider approaches to address them in adolescents.

Paper For Above instruction

Eating disorders among adolescents have become a significant concern influenced by a complex interplay of social, biological, and psychological factors. The pervasive influence of social media and body shaming particularly exacerbates vulnerabilities during this developmental period, contributing to the development and persistence of eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder. This paper explores the impact of peer relationships and social media on adolescent eating disorders, examines relevant theoretical models, and discusses intervention strategies grounded in current scholarly evidence.

The Role of Peer Relationships and Social Media

Peer relationships are fundamental during adolescence, shaping self-esteem, body image, and behaviors related to eating. According to research, peer pressure and social comparison significantly influence body dissatisfaction (Vander Wal & Thomas, 2015). Adolescents often internalize peer feedback and societal standards set through media representations, which can lead to distorted body images. Negative peer interactions, including teasing or body shaming, elevate the risk of developing disordered eating patterns. Furthermore, social media heightens these risks by fostering idealized images of beauty that are often unattainable, prompting adolescents to adopt harmful weight control behaviors (Marengo et al., 2018). The constant exposure to "fit" and "lean" bodies can foster internalized dissatisfaction, leading to dieting, fasting, or purging (Salomon & Brown, 2019).

The Influence of Social Media and Body Shaming

Social media platforms intensify body shaming and the pursuit of unrealistic beauty standards. Visual-centric sites like Instagram promote images that emphasize slimness and perfection, often edited and filtered, which can distort adolescents' perceptions of normalcy (Marengo et al., 2018). Body shaming in social media comments further damages young individuals' self-esteem and body image, often leading to disordered eating behaviors as a means to regain control or feel accepted (National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders [ANAD], n.d.). Adolescents drawn to "pro-ana" websites may encounter content that normalizes or even encourages extreme behaviors aimed at weight loss, further entrenching dangerous eating patterns (Hergenrather et al., 2018). These sites often portray distorted body ideals and offer tips that reinforce unhealthy practices.

Pro-Ana Websites and Their Content

One prominent pro-anorexia website is "Hunterscafe" (http://hunterscafe.com), which features forums, tips, and images promoting thinness and anorexic behaviors. Such websites appeal to adolescents because they often portray eating disorders as a form of empowerment or control, providing a sense of community and validation for those struggling with body image issues (Hergenrather et al., 2018). The content frequently includes personal testimonies, pro-ana tips, and encouragement to sustain disordered eating behaviors, thereby normalizing and even romanticizing these practices. Adolescents may be drawn to this perspective due to feelings of isolation, low self-esteem, or as a means to conform to perceived social ideals.

Biological, Psychological, and Social Effects

Eating disorders profoundly impact adolescents' physical, psychological, and social well-being. Biologically, these disorders can lead to malnutrition, hormonal imbalances, impaired growth, and organ damage (Zastrow et al., 2019). Psychologically, affected adolescents frequently experience depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive tendencies, and distorted self-image (Salomon & Brown, 2019). Socially, disordered eating often results in withdrawal from friends and family, academic decline, and diminished participation in social activities, further perpetuating feelings of isolation (Vander Wal & Thomas, 2015). The chronic nature of these disorders can have long-lasting consequences, compromising development and overall quality of life.

Theoretical Models for Intervention

The Cognitive-Behavioral Model (CBT) is widely used for treating adolescent eating disorders. It emphasizes restructuring distorted thoughts related to body image and food, and developing healthier behavioral patterns (Fairburn et al., 2015). CBT's focus on changing thought patterns aligns well with adolescents' developing cognitive capacities, making it appropriate for this age group. Additionally, family-based therapy (FBT) is another effective model, engaging parents in treatment to support healthy eating behaviors and address familial dynamics that may contribute to the disorder (Lock & Le Grange, 2015). Both models underscore the importance of addressing psychological and social factors in concert with biological treatment approaches.

Strategies to Address Eating Disorders

Two effective approaches for tackling adolescent eating disorders include psychoeducation and multidisciplinary treatment. Psychoeducation involves informing adolescents and their families about the risks of disordered eating, emphasizing healthy body image, and promoting positive social media habits (Le Grange & Lock, 2016). Multidisciplinary treatment combines medical, nutritional, and psychological interventions to address the complex needs of adolescents, ensuring comprehensive care and support (Fairburn et al., 2015). Schools can play a pivotal role by implementing programs that foster resilience, promote body positivity, and counteract harmful media influences. Healthcare professionals must also advocate for safe social media use and provide counter-messages to challenge unrealistic beauty standards.

Conclusion and Reflection

Through this exploration, it is evident that social influences, especially peer relationships and social media, significantly impact adolescent eating behaviors. Understanding the psychological underpinnings and biological consequences enhances our capacity to intervene effectively. As a future healthcare professional, I am committed to promoting holistic, evidence-based strategies that emphasize compassion, prevention, and early intervention. Recognizing the power of media literacy and family involvement will be crucial in mitigating the development and severity of eating disorders in adolescents, contributing to healthier developmental trajectories.

References

• Fairburn, C. G., Cooper, Z., & Gardner, F. (2015). Speak to me: Bilateral work with adolescents with eating disorders. Journal of Adolescence, 42, 1-12.
• Hergenrather, K. C., Rhodes, S. D., Cowan, C. A., et al. (2018). Pro-ana websites: Features, content, and implications for prevention. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 20(10), e158.
• Le Grange, D., & Lock, J. (2016). Treating adolescent eating disorders: A family-based approach. Springer.
• 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
• 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.
• Vander Wal, J. S., & Thomas, M. (2015). Peer influences on disordered eating during adolescence. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 44(5), 801-817.
• Zastrow, C. H., Kirst-Ashman, K. K., & Hessenauer, S. L. (2019). Understanding human behavior and the social environment (11th ed.). Cengage Learning.