1. Home Life Influences Eating Habits
Many teenagers who develop eating disorders have unstable home lives. Excessive alcohol or drug use may lead to the development of an eating disorder as teens look for a way to control their environment. Divorce may also trigger restrictive eating in teens. Starvation is a cry for help and may be a manifestation of blaming one's self for things going awry in relationships. Sexual abuse is another common catalyst for restrictive eating habits. Members of the psychiatric community argue that sexually abused teens explore anorexia as a way of stunting or slowing puberty and maturation. A recent study found girls with overly critical fathers or brothers were more likely to develop eating disorders. Teens with weight conscious mothers may also be in a higher risk category for developing eating disorders.
2. Peer Pressure On All Fronts
The media exerts a major impact on body image, especially for teenagers. Teens see their peers acting in movies and performing in rock concerts, and admire an ideal beauty that is, at least partially, fabricated. Teens also are highly susceptible to images available online. A minor eating disorder may develop into a deadly disease due to pro anorexia websites that praise teens for starving themselves and depriving their bodies of much needed nutrients. Peer pressure is also a contributing factor. Teenage girls see their friends losing weight and encourage them to continue. Otherwise lonely teens may get more attention from the opposite sex after losing weight. This sends a mixed message and may encourage dangerous dieting to continue indefinitely.
3. Elite Athlete Syndrome
Some sports promote an ideal body weight. Students who participate in ballet, gymnastics and wrestling wear revealing clothing. Highly sensitive teens may seek perfect bodies so they don't feel exposed in their workout wear. These athletes are often encouraged by coaches, trainers and talent scouts to keep their weight down for optimal performance.
