When the media is constantly bombarding children and teens alike with messages about the “ideal” or “perfect” beauty, and uses underweight movie stars, singers, etc- then it’s not hard to ask the question “Does the media influence Anorexia on teenagers?” and come back with a resounding “YES!”

When children see these images on television, in magazines, in songs, movies, etc- then it’s no wonder that the rate of eating disorders among teenagers is rising rapidly, and now parents are feverishly searching for an answer.

Instead of blaming themselves, the media and others- it’s important to remember that some teenagers are more susceptible to eating disorders than others, and some are going to develop Anorexia or another eating disorder with or without outside influences such as media or peers.

But how does the media influence Anorexia on teenagers? And how do we stop the effects of this negative influence? The media has become firmly focused for years, on a person’s outer appearance or outer beauty. In the days of Marilyn Monroe and Rita Hayworth, women in the media were portrayed as beautiful, and they weren’t “bone thin.” This trend has changed over the last several years, and now unless an actress or model is thin to the point of practically being able to see bones, she is criticized as being “fat.”

The latest example of this trend, is the recent come-back of Britney Spears- after she’d given birth to two children, she was ridiculed for wearing a skimpier outfit, due to being “fat.” The problem is, although she’d had two children, she was far from fat- yet the media criticized her for (more…)

What we understand from our personal experience coping with a child suffering from anorexia is that there isn’t one single definitive guide or course of action for you and your child to follow that will guarantee a solution to their eating problems.

Your attitude and beliefs about children and teenagers and the interaction of the parents affect the way you respond to your child.

You should understand that you are not responsible for your child’s illness as well as you should understand that your child turned to an eating disorder for emotional comfort and is in emotional pain, though she/he may not recognize it.

Remember, that if one approach for coping with your child’s illness does not work there is always another way.

What I want to say is that people who develop eating disorders are absolutely normal. Just something happens in their lives that make them really suffer emotionally and they turn to an eating disorder to compensate for this emotional discomfort.

Anorexia like other eating disorders is not about food. Anorexia is disorder of feelings, thoughts, identity, values, relationship, coping and control.

If you fix all of the above or change these feelings to new ones (like positive feelings and thoughts, strong sense of identity and (more…)

Studies have explored the association with problems during pregnancy or after birth and the subsequent development of eating disorders. A 2006 study suggested that specific obstetric complications that can affect mothers and newborn infants may increase the risks for anorexia nervosa and bulimia. The more complications, the greater the risk for a child developing anorexia nervosa at a younger age.

Pregnancy complications, and the type of eating disorder they predict, include:

* Maternal anemia (anorexia)
* Maternal diabetes (anorexia)
* Maternal high blood pressure during pregnancy (anorexia)
* Death of placental tissue (anorexia, bulimia)

After-birth complications in the newborn infant, and the type of eating disorder they predict, include:

* Heart problems (anorexia)
* Low response to stimuli (anorexia, bulimia)
* Early difficulties eating (bulimia)
* Below-normal birth weight and length (bulimia)

Researchers think that obstetric complications may deprive the fetus of the oxygen and nutrients essential for normal brain development. This brain damage may lead to the later development of eating disorders and other psychiatric illnesses.

Anorexia is eight times more common in people who have relatives with the disorder, and some experts estimate that genetic factors are the root cause of many cases of eating disorders. For example, a 2000 study reported that twins had a tendency to share specific eating disorders (anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and obesity). Researchers have identified specific chromosomes that may be associated with bulimia and anorexia. In particular, regions on chromosome 10 have been linked to bulimia as well as obesity. Some evidence has also reported an association with genetic factors responsible for serotonin, the brain chemical involved with both well-being and appetite. Researchers have also pinpointed certain proteins such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). This protein may influence an individual’s susceptibility to developing an eating disorder.

In 2005, a team of researchers identified six core traits that they believe are linked to genes associated with bulimia and anorexia. These traits are:

* Minimum body mass index (BMI)
* Extreme concern over mistakes
* Age when a girl first starts to menstruate
* Food-related obsessions
* “Obsessionality” (a form of perfectionism)
* Anxiety

The researchers found that minimum BMI, concern over mistakes, age at first menstruation, and food-related obsessions were mostly associated with bulimia. Obsessionality and anxiety were mostly associated with anorexia. These differences indicate that different genes may be responsible for bulimia and anorexia.

Famous people who have DIED from Eating Disorders:

Karen Carpenter (musician): Went on a water diet to lose weight and, as she put it, to appear more attractive. Continued to diet even after losing 20 lbs, until her death at the age of 32. She died of cardiac arrest due to anorexia and weighed only 80 lbs.

Ana Carolina Reston: Brazilian model, starved herself to death in 2006.

Theresa Marie “Terri” Schiavo (December 3, 1963 – March 31, 2005): Her physician failed to recognize and diagnose bulimia

Margaux Hemmingway: actress, model, suffered with bulimia

Christy Henrich (gymnast): In 1988, Christy was told by a U.S. judge that she had to lose weight in order to make the Olympic team. She died of multiple organ failure, as a result of anorexia, at the age of 22. She weighed only 60 lbs.

Heidi Guenther (ballet dancer): After being told by a theatre company that at 5′5″ in height and 96 lbs in weight she was too chunky, she developed an eating disorder. She collapsed and died at the age of 22 due to complications from her eating disorder.

Leila Pahlavi: The youngest daughter of the late Shah of Iran stole prescriptions from the desk of her doctor in order to feed her fatal addiction to barbiturates, an inquest heard yesterday. Princess Leila Pahlavi, 31, died alone in her suite at a London hotel after taking prescription drugs and cocaine. She was found in bed, her body emaciated by years of anorexia and bulimia.
Anne Sexton: American poet Anne Sexton (1928-1974), who was sexually abused in childhood and committed suicide at the age of 46, suffered from anorexia and depression.

Celebrities who have spoken publicly about their suffering with Eating Disorders:

Paula Abdul

Imogen Bailey

Maria Conshita Alonso

Christine Alt

Fiona Apple

The Barbie twins

Justine Bateman

Victoria Beckham

Kelly Clarkson

Diana

Kate Dillon

Calista Flockhart

Jane Fonda

Geri Halliwell

Audrey Hepburn

Janet Jackson

Elton John

Franz Kafka

Alanis Morissette

Mary Kate-Olsen

Oprah Winfrey

Kate Winslet

…and lots of others

How to treat anorexia?

The first line treatment for anorexia is usually focused on immediate weight gain, especially with those who have particularly serious conditions that require hospitalization. In particularly serious cases, this may be done as an involuntary hospital treatment under mental health law, where such legislation exists. In the majority of cases, however, people with anorexia are treated as outpatients, with input from physicians, psychiatrists, clinical psychologists and other mental health professionals.

A recent clinical review has suggested that psychotherapy is an effective form of treatment and can lead to restoration of weight, return of menses among female patients, and improved psychological and social functioning when compared to simple support or education programmes. However, this review also noted that there are only a small number of randomised controlled trials on which to base this recommendation, and no specific type of psychotherapy seems to show any overall advantage when compared to other types. Family therapy has also been found to be an effective treatment for adolescents with anorexia and in particular, a method developed at the Maudsley Hospital is widely used and found to maintain improvement over time.

Drug treatments, such as SSRI or other antidepressant medication, have not been found to be generally effective for either treating anorexia, or preventing relapse although it has also been noted that there is a lack of adequate research in this area. It is common, however, for antidepressants to be prescribed, often with the intent of trying to treat the associated anxiety and depression.

Supplementation with 14mg/day of zinc is recommended as routine treatment for anorexia nervosa due to a study showing a doubling of weight regain after treatment with zinc was begun. The mechanism of action is hypothesized to be an increased effectiveness of neurotransmission in various parts of the brain, including the amygdala, after adequate zinc intake begins resulting in increased appetite.

There are various non-profit and community groups that offer support and advice to people who suffer from anorexia or who care for someone who does.

Body consequences

* Extreme weight loss

* Body mass index less than 17.5 in adults, or 85% of expected weight in children

* Stunted growth

* Endocrine disorder, leading to cessation of periods in girls (amenorrhoea)

* Decreased libido; impotence in males

* Starvation symptoms, slow heart rate (bradycardia), hypotension, hypothermia and anemia

* Abnormalities of mineral and electrolyte levels in the body

* Thinning of the hair

* Growth of lanugo hair over the body

* Constantly feeling cold

* Zinc deficiency

* Reduction in white blood cell count

* Reduced immune system function

* Pallid complexion and sunken eyes

* Creaking joints and bones

* Collection of fluid in ankles during the day and around eyes during the night

* Tooth decay

* Constipation

* Dry skin

* Dry or chapped lips

* Poor circulation, resulting in common attacks of ‘pins and needles’ and purple extremities

* In cases of extreme weight loss, there can be nerve deterioration, leading to difficulty in moving the feet

* Headaches

* Brittle fingernails

* Bruising easily