Eating Disorders

One of the most prevalent disorders amongst the youth of this era is eating disorders. While some overlook it and don't think it is a problem eating disorders should be given serious consideration. This is because the psychological ramification of eating disorders tends to have lasting effects over the course of the adolescents' life. An eating disorder is any of various psychological disorders, such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia, which involves insufficient or excessive food intake. They are a silent epidemic and an exceedingly negative response to a misinterpretation of one's role in the world. Adolescents with eating disorders are usually convinced they're ugly. It has been said, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder". What one person considers beautiful may differ from another. Women have been taught that their bodies-and often themselves- are valued for how they look. Many young women worry about not having the "ideal" body commonly portrayed in the advertisements and photo spreads of most fashion magazines. To a young teen, the message is clear; a women's body with feminine curves is not welcome in today's society. By today's standards extreme thinness is viewed as attractive despite the harmful consequences. The public perception of what is considered beautiful can have negative psychological and physical effects on women. Imagine a thirteen-year-old girl who weighs sixty pounds because she is starving herself. Every time she looks into a mirror, she sees herself as fat. Picture her parents watching their daughter literally disintegrating into thin air. This is the life of a family dealing with an eating disorder. Eating disorders are a major problem with young people of today's society.

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