Current problem definition: The incidence of anorexia nervosa and
bulimia has increased over the past 15 years in American women between ages 12
and 19.
A key determinant for anorexia or bulimia nervosa is a factor that
influences or causes a female adolescent to develop one or both of these
disorders. There are numerous determinants for these eating disorders, which
can fall under multiple categories such as biological, social, and cultural.
Often, in the case of eating disorders, it is not one, but a combination of
these factors that is present in each individual case of the disease.
Biological determinants for anorexia and bulimia nervosa include race,
family history, and genetics. Numerous studies have suggested that the race of
a female adolescent alters the risk they are at for developing an eating
disorder. In a study published in the American Journal of Health Behavior,
white college females displayed a significantly higher rate of body
dissatisfaction related to eating disorders than did black college students
(Abood 1). Thus, being of Caucasian decent increases the probability of
developing an eating disorder. In addition, genetics and family history of the
disease are also factors in development. According to the study, Genetic Factors in Eating Disorders,
“there is a substantial genetic influence for [eating] disorders” (Himney 1).
According to this study, the relative risk of a first-degree female relative of
someone diagnosed with an eating disorder is 11.3 for anorexia and 12.3 for
bulimia (Himney 1). This provides evidence that a female’s genes can predispose
her to an eating disorder. In another study called, Variation in the ESR1 and ESR2 genes and genetic susceptibility to
anorexia nervosa, an association was proven between prevalence of a certain
gene and the development of anorexia nervosa, thus suggesting the influence of
genetic factors on the disease (Eastwood 1).
Additionally, there are social determinants which increase a female’s
risk of developing anorexia or bulimia. Peer factors have been shown to show an
association, such as in a study cited in the Annual Review of Psychology in
2002, which stated that increased symptoms of eating disorders occurred with
self-reports of weight and body related teasing (Polivy 195). Also, a study cited
in the Annual Review of Psychology in 2002 stated that adolescents that rate
their overall family communication and parental caring as low are at an
increased risk for developing eating disorders (Polivy 194). Also, in the
study, Parental Factors, Mass Media Influences, and
the Onset of Eating Disorders in a Prospective Population-Based Cohort, girls with single parents were at higher
risk for eating disorders (Martinez-Gonzalez 1). Thus, these studies show that
a female’s family situation can greatly affect her susceptibility towards
anorexia or bulimia.
Lastly, cultural factors can additionally be determining factors of
eating disorders. The media and its portrayal of the ideal body have been
researched on its affect of female adolescents. The study cited last also found
a link between the amount of time reading printed media (teen girls’ magazines,
especially) and higher rates of eating disorders in adolescent females
(Martinez-Gonzalez 1).
Works Cited
Abood, Doris A.
"Race and the Role of Weight, Weight Change, and Body Dissatisfaction in
Eating
Disorders." APA PsychNet. N.p., Jan. 1997. Web. 6 Apr. 2013.
Eastwood, Brown
H. "Variation in the ESR1 and ESR2 Genes and Genetic Susceptibility to
Anorexia
Nervosa." PubMed.gov. N.p., 2002. Web. 6 Apr. 2013.
Hinney, Anke,
Dr. "Genetic Risk Factors in Eating Disorders - Springer." American
Journal of
Pharmacogenomics. N.p., 01 Aug. 2004. Web. 06 Apr. 2013.
Martinez-Gonzalez,
Miguiel Angel. "Parental Factors, Mass Media Influences, and the Onset of
Eating
Disorders in a Prospective Population-Based Cohort." Official Journal
of the
American
Academy of Pediatrics.
Pediatrics, 1 Feb. 2003. Web. 06 Apr. 2013.
Polivy, Janet.
"Causes of Eating Disorders." Annual Review of Psychology.
N.p., 2002. Web. 06
Apr.
2013.
I thought you did a good job covering all the determinants (I certainly cannot think of any more). I also appreciated your categorization. I would be interested in learning why caucasians are more likely to develop anorexia. Is it because of a genetic trait unique to caucasians? Or the culture of caucasians? Those might be interesting questions to investigate.
ReplyDeleteAlyssa,
ReplyDeleteExcellent job with the assignment. You stated your problem definition at the beginning, then found determinants in several of the categories. I appreciate that you backed them up with literature. Your "works cited" section appears orderly and is rich with information about where your reader can investigate the facts you present. I am assuming that when you cite within the text that you are using the name and page number? I am unfamiliar with the page number citation. Are you sure it's not supposed to be the date? We can work this out before the paper is due. Overall, though, great work!
Erin