Our teenage years are a time in our lives that involve many physical and emotional changes and transitions. These changes may cause concerns with body weight, shape and appearance. Eating disorders such as Anorexia Nervosa or Bulimia Nervosa can affect folks of all ages, shapes and sizes. However, the average age of someone living with one of these eating disorders is in their teenage years.
Increase in Teenage Eating Disorders
The number of teenagers diagnosed with an eating disorder has increased over the past 50 years. Unfortunately, it is common for folks in this age group to compare their body to that of their friends, peers or those in the media. This could lead them to question their own appearance. Body image can be influenced by a variety of factors such as biological, psychological or social factors.
Bullying and Eating Disorders
An example of a social factor that can influence our body image is bullying. Bullying is common during our teenage years and can occur regardless of our weight and age. Across Canada, it is becoming more common in schools, homes, public locations and on social media. Many teens have said that their eating disorders developed partially as a result of being teased by their peers. Teens usually said that the teasing they experienced centered around their appearance.
Social Media and Eating Disorders
Today, children and teenagers are surrounded by a world of mass media. Let’s take a moment to consider the influence of the media. Through advertisements, television shows, movies, magazines and especially social media, men are constantly portrayed as muscular while women are portrayed as flawless and thin. Over the years, the societal ideals for both genders have become more and more thin.
Body Dissatisfaction in Teens
Teens are the highest risk population for developing an eating disorder. Teens report a high level of body dissatisfaction, and girls more often report body dissatisfaction compared to boys. The media is always throwing messages at us, and some of them are not positive – they may perpetuate diet culture. Unfortunately, teens are especially susceptible to these messages. Since media has a strong influence on the adolescent population, it can play a role in the body dissatisfaction that folks in this age group may experience. Body dissatisfaction may even be partially responsible for the increase in teens diagnosed with eating disorders.
Puberty and Body Image
Diet culture is everywhere and so ingrained in each of us that it may be one of the contributing factors as to why teens feel insecure about their physical appearance. We also have to remember that teens are going through so many changes (puberty) and their bodies are growing! When we reflect on how challenging being a teen can be, and then we add in diet culture and possibly bullying, it is not very surprising that teens have a high rate of body dissatisfaction.
Parents and Eating Disorders in Teens
As parents, it is important that we act as good role models to support the development of positive body image in our children. We should avoid diet talk and not bring diet food products into the household. We should let our children know that success can be achieved at any size and that it is not tied to physical appearance. With support from loved ones, a teenager can develop a healthy relationship with their body and begin to feel good in their own skin. As a parent, you may also be able to spot the signs of disordered eating early on. Teens are in a critical stage of growth and behaviours they may use to alter their body’s appearance can be very damaging.
How Change Creates Change Can Help
As we mentioned above, eating disorders can affect folks of all ages, shapes and sizes. If left untreated, they can cause serious harm. Book a free consultation call with us today to find out how we can best support you and your teen.
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