Eating Disorders and Body Image Issues

1. Introduction

On the other hand, the phrase “body image” refers to a person’s internalized sense of their own physical appearance. Body image is not only determined by visual perceptions, but it is also constructed by individuals’ feelings, beliefs, and attitudes about their own physical appearance. Positive body image can be understood as acceptance and appreciation of one’s own body. However, in today’s sociocultural context, where there is a prevailing “thin ideal”, a large majority of people, especially women, experience body dissatisfaction. Body dissatisfaction refers to a person’s negative thoughts and feelings about their own body and appearance.The term “eating disorder” refers to a group of medical conditions characterized by unhealthy and abnormal eating habits. The most common forms of eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. Eating disorders often coexist with other psychiatric conditions such as depression, substance abuse, and anxiety disorders. In addition, eating disorders can also result in physical health problems, such as heart conditions, electrolyte imbalances, and digestive problems.

1.1. Definition of Eating Disorders

Eating disorders refer to a group of conditions characterized by abnormal eating habits that may involve either insufficient or excessive food intake, to the detriment of a person’s physical and emotional health. The most common eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder. Anorexia nervosa is marked by low body weight, an intense fear of gaining weight, and a distorted perception of weight and body shape. Individuals with this disorder may use extreme behaviors such as self-induced vomiting or excessive exercise to prevent weight gain. Bulimia nervosa is characterized by recurrent and frequent episodes of eating unusually large amounts of food and then compensating by purging, as well as a lack of control over such behavior. Binge-eating disorder is marked by frequent periods of eating large quantities of food, often very quickly and to the point of discomfort, as well as a lack of control over these episodes. Unlike bulimia nervosa, binge-eating episodes are not followed by purging. These conditions can have very serious effects on the body and mind, including the risk of osteoporosis from excessive weight loss and electrolyte imbalances that can lead to heart problems and actually cause sudden death, in the case of anorexia nervosa. People with anorexia nervosa may have a variety of signs and symptoms, including inadequate food intake leading to a weight that is clearly too low, a relentless pursuit of thinness and unwillingness to maintain a normal or healthy weight, intense fear of gaining weight or being fat, and a distorted body image. Body dysmorphia refers to a psychological condition that may occur in individuals with eating disorders. Body image and its effects are key issues in eating disorder research, and indicating a variety of body image disturbances may be pivotal in investigating these conditions. Predisposing factors to developing eating disorders include body dissatisfaction, internalization of the thin ideal, especially for females, pressure to be thin, aesthetic and social comparison, and fear of fatness. The role of cultural and ethnic differences in the development of eating disorders is further considered. In particular, the impact of globalization on eating and body image is reflected in the way in which the media is becoming an important influence of ideas about health and weight. Theoretical models have been developed to show the various complexities of body image and its effects. These centers on the internalization of the thin ideal, the media’s role in providing this ideal and its effect, alongside the consequential social comparisons that result. Populations in developing countries, particularly the islands of the Pacific Ocean, have been seen to illustrate how the perception of the thin ideal can sway depending on the impact of globalization. However, researching in this area also involves following a patient’s recovery between the two health issues. Physical consequences and risks to the body must be weighed up and offset by psychological benefits. This suggests that a fuller recovery may be possible when treatments acknowledge and assess both the physical and mental effects of body image disturbances. Such a holistic approach may offer great insight into the fundamental relationship between mental and physical stress and pain in those suffering with eating disorders. It may also illuminate the research into body image among clinically non-eating disordered populations and explore exactly what elements of body image has the most bearing on the actual pathology of eating disorders. It is claimed that this sort of research may assist in both the prevention and the treatment of eating disorders, so the split between physical and psychological treatments could be narrowed and provide a more effective treatment to those in need.

1.2. Importance of Body Image

Therefore, it’s vital for us to realize that we should not judge people by their weight and appearance, especially in an era where societal beauty is thrown around so timely. The mental and physical health of people deserve more care and respect than being downgraded for their inherited body shape.

Many researchers approve that body dissatisfaction is the major contributing factor to the development of eating disturbances. As Cash and Deagle’s findings suggest, people who have higher socio-cultural pressure, are more invested in the thin ideals, and report a greater desire for thinness are likely to have more serious eating disorders. Kasey Serdar also stated in 2008 that there was a study reviewed for 14 years on media exposure, peer and parent attitudes, and physical appearance in over 1000 American girls, and the results showed that all three dynamic social environmental factors were associated with body dissatisfaction.Recent studies show significant body dissatisfaction and eating disturbances among males after viewing the objectified muscular ideal. This suggests that exposure to these images may harm men’s body image and increase the risk of them having eating disorders as well. This information can also be found in the studies done by Tylka and Augustus-Horvath in 2011; both studies show similar results of the correlation between exposure to such images and men’s inner desire for the ‘ideal’ body shape.Kasey Serdar, a public health researcher, analyzed the influence of the media in 2008 and its relation to body image. The analysis shows that teenage girls’ shows are highly favored by American children and are the main promoters of the thin ideal. It’s no doubt that the majority of people believe the pressures are more on women, but studies have shown that the number of men with eating disorders has increased over 270% since 1994 till now.When a person is constantly being brought attention to the ‘ideal’ body shape and the societal standard of beauty for perfection, the risk of eating disorder development increases. Meers also found that body comparison, which means social comparison based on physical appearance, is one of the ten predictors of why people feel bad about themselves. Media, one of the biggest factors influencing body image, sets nearly impossible standards for beauty.Body image is essential to our self-regulation and behavior, especially for those who suffer from eating disorders. Carola and her fellow researchers emphasize its importance in their studies about body image and its psychological impact. There was a study in which the researchers asked 3,276 Americans to complete an online survey, and the results were remarkable. As the study revealed, 65% of the American population would be considered overweight, while 93% of the media exaggerates thinness as a desired body shape. The study concluded that body image discrepancy is one of several contributors to eating disorders.

2. Factors Contributing to Body Image Issues in Eating Disorders

2.1. Societal Pressures and Media Influence

2.2. Psychological Factors

2.3. Cultural and Ethnic Influences

3. Impact of Body Image Issues on Eating Disorders

3.1. Reinforcement of Disordered Eating Behaviors

3.2. Distorted Perception of Self

3.3. Increased Risk of Relapse

4. Psychological Mechanisms Linking Body Image and Eating Disorders

4.1. Body Dissatisfaction

4.2. Body Comparison

4.3. Body Idealization

5. Treatment Approaches Addressing Body Image Concerns

5.1. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

5.2. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

5.3. Body Image Exposure Therapy

5.4. Body Acceptance and Self-Compassion Practices

6. Strategies for Promoting Positive Body Image in Eating Disorder Recovery

6.1. Encouraging Self-Acceptance and Self-Love

6.2. Challenging Societal Beauty Standards

6.3. Building a Supportive Network

6.4. Engaging in Body-Positive Activities

7. Conclusion