The New Trend: Eating Disorders Keeping Kids Socially Acceptable Added: 09/28/2007

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The definition of an eating disorder is defined as a psychological disorder that “severely” disturbs eating behavior. The teen years are tumultuous times, at best. However, the hormonal changes that occur during these teen years only add to the complications the body suffers when an eating disorder is present at the same time. Eating disorders have been swept under the rug, so to speak, in an effort to allow kids and teens to work out their own issues. As parents who grew up in a generation much different than the present one, many do not understand what those issues are or, more importantly, how they impact their teens.

An unhealthy self image is the most recognized form of psychological motivation for and eating order to exist. For those who feel they do not meet the expected “norm” of societal perfection, kids and teens looking to have friends and popularity are willing to go to unthinkable measures in order to conform. These measures, often times, lead to life-long struggles as well as health conditions brought on by the decisions made during these teen years.

From where do the American kids and teens derive their ideas and standards? The media is the most widely viewed cause of all ills in society today. Unfair as it may seem, the media has the ability to influence society in ways nothing else can. The presentation of one side of a story or the negative impact of a governmental decision can often times cause those who are subjected to the slanted and incomplete information to begin to form strong opinions or ideas that are based on, essentially, incomplete or erroneous information. This is not the media’s fault. As Americans with the ability to think, the media simply taps on the brain’s proverbial shoulder and whispers into its ear what it wants the listener to hear. The listener hears the information, but doesn’t think ahead to the fact that there might be more!

Kids and teens who struggle with eating disorders often have other concerns such as abuse, neglect, or poor self image. Society strives to address these needs along with medical treatment for the psychological aspects of the disorder itself. Though the disease stays hidden for the most part, there have been some reports published on the success of the increased awareness, treatment and progress of patients with eating disorders. This group of people also includes the elderly and the disabled.

Recently there has been a surge in the amount of “image consultants” who specialize in childhood esteem work. These professionals and paraprofessionals offer a new approach to handing the struggles and conflicts that our kids and teens deal with on a daily basis. In their line of work, eating disorders are often present at the beginning of sessions, but are managed in such a way as to minimize the long term health risks and, virtually non-existent, by the end of the sessions.

A serious health problem, eating disorders can be found in any age group, any gender and for any reason. The condition should never be ignored as it can result in death from poor nourishment, diabetes and other health conditions resulting from a lack of all food groups.

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