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.
Takeaway
Age can be another risk factor for disordered eating, with the majority of people with eating disorders developing them between ages 12 and 25. Peer pressure may help explain this connection. Because of the way the brain develops, adolescents and young adults may be especially vulnerable to peer pressure, including pressure to change how they look. Social media may amplify these messages, leading to body image issues and, potentially, eating disorders. If you’re experiencing disordered eating, recovery may be possible with professional help. You can reach out to your primary care doctor or seek support from a therapist in person or online.
How does peer pressure influence the prevalence of eating disorders?
Peer influence is significant to the prevalence of eating disorders, especially in adolescent peer groups. When children see their peer group acting out unhealthy eating behaviors, they may believe these behaviors are normal, and the social reinforcement can cause them to want to partake, as well. For example, if a friend group starts skipping meals, talking about body dissatisfaction, and using other weight control behaviors, one person not partaking in these behaviors could face ostracization from the group or weight-related teasing.
How can peer group pressure influence eating habits?
Social cognitive theory posits that peer pressures can have either a positive or negative affect on children and adolescents. When children receive peer support from those who model healthy eating behaviors and eating attitudes, they may be encouraged to avoid harmful behaviors. However, if their friends project eating behaviors onto them and pressure them to try dieting behaviors or make unkind comments about their bodies, they might be more likely to experience eating problems themselves.
Social groups offer a place for children to learn about healthy and unhealthy behaviors and make connections. Humans are social creatures, as having a social group was once essential for survival. For this reason, a fear of losing one’s social group by not giving into peer pressure can be significant, especially for young people whose brains are still developing. For those with low self-esteem, chaotic homes, or pre-existing mental health conditions, these risks can be greater, as losing friends can seem like the “end of the world.”
What are adolescent peer support groups for eating disorders?
Peer support groups for eating disorders use theories from adolescent psychiatry research and applied psychology models of therapy to support adolescents with eating disorders. These groups offer a positive way for children to discuss their experiences with eating disturbances and receive support from others with similar experiences. These groups are often led by a therapist or qualified adult who can steer the direction based on principles of behavior therapy and peer modeling. Support groups are not the same as group therapy but are often free. However, because they are not therapy, they may not be led by a therapist in every case.
How do eating disorders impact people?
Eating disorders and other eating concerns can be highly impactful. Eating disorders have a high risk of medical consequences, such as illnesses, dangerous weight loss, and changes in one’s menstrual cycle. Eating disorders can be fatal. In addition, conditions like bulimia nervosa can cause the enamel in one’s teeth to erode and gum disease. Eating disorders often accompany a fear of “unhealthy food” and gaining weight. A person might make negative comments about their body shape, make frequent body comparisons, partake in excessive exercise, or purge their food through laxatives or vomiting. Peer influences can make these behaviors worse.
What risk factors are eating disorders influenced by?
One may have a higher chance of developing an eating disorder if they have a family history of mental illnesses, family influence on eating habits, or exposure to friend groups that partake in unhealthy eating habits. Having close friends with an eating disorder can be a significant predictor of an eating disorder. If you are concerned your child might have an eating disorder, reach out to a clinical child therapist with experience supporting children with developing healthy eating habits. A nutritionist can also support a child in increasing their fruit and vegetable consumption and making healthy choices for their daily meals.
How do you help someone with an eating disorder?
Loving someone with an eating disorder can be distressing if you don’t know how to help. However, even if you can’t fix the situation for them, being empathetic and open to their experiences can remind them they have someone who unconditionally supports and loves them, which can be so important. You can also suggest resources based on systematic reviews and evidence-based therapeutic practices. The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) has some resources, as well as an eating disorder hotline that individuals can call. If your loved one is also having challenges with drug or alcohol use, they can contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
What type of person is most likely to give into peer pressure?
Several risk factors can lead a person to give into peer pressure regarding eating disorders. For example, social media plays a significant role in promoting a “thin ideal,” and social networking sites often showcase certain body types above others. People who use social media frequently, have low self-esteem, and live with another mental illness may be at a higher risk of giving into peer pressure.
At what age is peer pressure most common?
According to a qualitative study in an international journal, the age group most commonly impacted by peer pressure is 10 to 14. Peer pressure is common in middle school, as children are going through puberty and learning more about identity. They may be insecure and struggle to fit in, so they rely more on their peers to know how to act.
What causes eating disorders in adolescent girls?
According to a meta-analysis present study with a cross-sectional design, eating disorders in girls are more likely when girls have expressed body dissatisfaction in childhood. Girls may also be at a higher risk of eating disorders if exposed to harmful messages on social media and in ads or if a family member or close friend is also living with an eating disorder. There is some missing data on what causes eating disorders specifically in girls, but another longitudinal study is recommended to look at all the independent variables and assess the causes in more detail.
How do people with disordered eating behaviors and eating disorders behave?
All people with eating disorders may act differently, as each eating disorder is unique in how it presents. Some people experience an aversion to food, whereas others may purposefully restrict their diet. An eating attitudes test with a psychologist is one way to learn why someone might be reacting to food the way they are. You can also find a nutritionist through the American Dietetic Association to talk about eating behaviors and find out what types of foods are best for your unique body.
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