What To Know About Eating Disorders And Peer Pressure In Young People

The causes of eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia can be complex. However, peer pressure can play a significant role in the risk of eating disorders, especially among young people. In this article, we’ll explore the relationship between eating disorders and peer pressure, and what this can mean for teens and young adults, as well as the importance of seeking treatment from a doctor or therapist.

What is an eating disorder?

Eating disorders can be described as patterns of distressing and unhealthy eating behaviors. People with eating disorders may use unhealthy eating habits to change their physical appearance, experience a sense of control over their lives, or manage difficult emotions. However, these behaviors can have negative effects on physical, emotional, and mental health. 

Common eating disorders

There are several different forms of disordered eating, each with its own symptoms and effects. Some of the most common include the following:

Anorexia 

Anorexia is a disorder usually involving extreme food restriction. People with anorexia may severely limit their food intake, see themselves as overweight even if they are at a low body weight, or exercise excessively to avoid gaining weight. These behaviors can lead to issues like malnutrition, dehydration, infertility, and depression. 

Binge eating disorder (BED)

“Binge eating” generally refers to consuming an excessive amount of food in a short period of time. While it can be common for most people to overeat once in a while, occasional overeating is not the same as having an eating disorder. 

People with binge eating disorder typically engage in binge eating at least once a week for a period of three months or more. They may also experience a sense of shame or guilt about their eating habits, which may lead them to eat in secret. 

Bulimia

Like binge eating disorder, bulimia also involves repeated episodes of binge eating. However, in general, people with bulimia also take steps to get rid of the food they’ve eaten to avoid gaining weight. Bulimic symptoms may include vomiting, exercising excessively, misusing laxatives or diet pills, or other harmful behaviors. These kinds of behaviors are known as “purging.”

ARFID

The prevalence of eating disorders

In the United States, an estimated 28.8 million people will have an eating disorder at some point in their lifetime. 

Worldwide, the prevalence of eating disorders has risen from 3.4% to 7.8% of the population between 2000 and 2018. 

That said, eating disorders may affect people at different rates. For example, at any time in a given year in the United States:

• Binge eating disorder affects an estimated 0.96% of females and 0.26% of males. 
• Anorexia affects an estimated 0.16% of females and 0.09% of males.
• Bulimia affects an estimated 0.32% of females and 0.05% of males.
• Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder affects an estimated 0.5 to 5% of children and adults. 

Eating disorder risk factors

Eating disorders can affect anyone. However, there are certain risk factors that may make a person more likely to develop an eating disorder. Some examples include the following:

• Having a history of dieting
• Having a parent or sibling with an eating disorder
• Having trouble managing emotions (emotional dysregulation)
• Being socially isolated
• Experiencing trauma
• Struggling with body image
• Struggling with perfectionism or impulsivity
• Having a personal or family history of mental illness
• Being involved in certain activities, like modeling, bodybuilding, wrestling, or dance

Age: Another risk factor for disordered eating behaviors

Age may also contribute to a person’s eating disorder risk. Young adults, in particular, may be at a greater risk of developing disordered eating behaviors than people in other age groups. According to Harvard Medical School, one in seven men and one in five women will likely experience an eating disorder before age 40, with 95% of those disorders starting before age 25. 

Johns Hopkins also reports that the most common period to develop an eating disorder is usually between the ages of 12 and 25. 

Peer pressure and disordered eating behaviors among adolescent girls and boys

Why might teens and young adults be at a greater risk of eating disorders than others? Peer pressure may be part of the answer. During young adulthood, the brain normally undergoes a variety of changes that can make people sensitive to social interactions. 

As a result, young adults may be especially vulnerable to peer pressure—including pressure to look a certain way. This pressure may affect teens’ body image and self-esteem, leading them to turn to disordered eating as a way to fit in. 

Young adults may also face increasing peer pressure over the internet, with some surveys finding that 90% of teens ages 13 to 17 have used social media. 

Studies have found a link between social media usage and body dissatisfaction, which can be another risk factor for disordered eating. This data may help explain why young adults tend to be more susceptible to eating disorders. 

In a study from 2018, researchers collected data from over 700 adolescent girls and boys to analyze the effects of peer pressure on their eating habits. They found that peer influence and interactions may significantly contribute to disordered eating behaviors. 

Other studies have had similar results. In another study from 2017, researchers analyzed data on 799 high school girls. They found a significant relationship between pressure from the media, peers, and family members and the risk of eating disorders. 

The prevalence of eating disorders in adolescent girls and boys

With this research in mind, you may wonder exactly how common eating disorders are among young adults. In a 2022 study, researchers analyzed data from 32 studies of over 60,000 people from 16 different countries. They found that, overall, the rate of eating disorders in children and adolescents was approximately 22.36%. Understanding the role that peer pressure can play in disordered eating may help shed light on numbers like these. 

The health consequences of eating disorders

No matter their age or gender, people with eating disorders may experience negative impacts on their well-being. Depending on the type of eating behavior (like restriction, purging, or binge eating), the physical effects can range from obesity to infections, an irregular heartbeat, kidney failure, anemia, and tooth decay. 

Eating disorders may also lead to mental and emotional symptoms like anxiety, negative emotions, social withdrawal, obsession, and a distorted body image. 

Getting help for disordered eating behaviors

Eating disorders can be distressing at any age, but they are often treatable. According to some studies, as many as two-thirds of patients with eating disorders may make a full recovery. That’s why, if you’re struggling with disordered eating, you may want to talk to your healthcare provider. They may be able to advise you on the appropriate next steps. 

Specific eating disorder treatments can vary. Often, the focus of treatment is to return to a healthy weight, develop healthier eating habits, and treat any medical side effects of the disordered behavior. However, recovering from an eating disorder can also depend on addressing the underlying mental and emotional causes, which is why therapy may also be helpful. 

Working with a therapist may help you repair your relationship with food and address the thoughts and feelings behind your eating habits. A therapist may also be able to provide advice if you’re facing peer pressure that’s contributing to disordered eating. 

Therapy for eating disorders, like other forms of therapy, may not always be affordable. A 2023 report from Mental Health America found that the majority of Americans with an unmet mental health care need didn’t seek treatment due to cost. 

Online therapy enables you to see a licensed therapist over the internet, with costs starting at $65 per week, which may be more affordable than in-person treatment. 

Studies have found that therapy for eating disorders can be just as effective online as in person. In a study from 2022, two groups of people with eating disorders received therapy either in person or over the internet. Both groups reportedly experienced similar improvements in their symptoms.