Preventing eating disorders begins in early childhood

There are so many mixed messages and unrealistic standards of beauty set by the media; young people are particularly affected.

There has been a great influence of the aggressive marketing of the advertising and entertainment media of the “body ideal” which is largely aimed at the youth in today’s society; this creates a social atmosphere of envy and dissatisfaction. In fact, reports estimate consistently that 50-60 percent of teenage girls consider themselves to be overweight, and up to 20 percent score in the abnormal range on standardized tests of eating attitudes. Disordered eating in teenage boys is increasing – particularly with weight-conscious sports such as gymnastics and wrestling.

Studies have shown that where there is a great emphasis on feminine achievement, young women may adhere to a standard of attractiveness which is dangerously slender and associated with a high incidence of eating disorders. Some environmental risk factors for eating disorders in teenagers includes adverse parenting and physical and sexual abuse. Eating disorders also tend to run in families, with female relatives being particularly affected. In addition, both childhood and parental obesity appear to be additional risk factors; this is possibly because being obese sensitizes these individuals to their appearance and weight, and therefore promotes extreme dieting.

Since having excessive weight concerns and dieting are the strongest predictors of individuals developing eating disorders, prevention efforts need to address the risk factors that lead to having excessive weight concerns. For children, promoting healthy eating behaviors at an early age along with body acceptance are extremely important in preventing eating disorders. Prevention programs aimed at adolescents are usually unsuccessful because they are too late. Building self-confidence and self-efficacy skills in children beginning in elementary school (as early as 3 rd or 4 th grade) is critical to prevention. For adults, eating disorders often start to reveal themselves with excessive exercise and obsessing about foods.

Regardless of age, EVERYONE can benefit from having a healthy body image and being aware of the mixed messages in the environment.

Sources: National Institute of Mental and Emotional Well-Being; Davis et al., 1997, Comprehensive Psychiatry; Barber, 1998, International Journal of Eating Disorders; Fairburn, et al., 1999, International Journal of Eating Disorders; Taylor and Altman, 1997, Psychopharmacology Bulletin.