Eating Disorders And The American Culture - 3118 Words

Eating Disorders Eating disorders are well known in the American culture. It is most likely that people in America know at least one person who has or is currently suffering from an eating disorder. Eating disorders take many forms such as bulimia, anorexia nervosa, binge-eating, and even obesity. The focus of this paper however will be solely on anorexia nervosa. It will breakdown the basics of anorexia as well as compare and contrast the movie Starving in Suburbia with scholarly literature. Anorexia According to Bemporad (1996), anorexia was thought to have first appeared in the 19th century until more researched revealed that it was prevalent in earlier times. However to delve into the history it is important to understand that anorexia is considered self-starvation. In the biblical days, it was within the norms to fast as an homage or fulfillment to God. Biblical figures such as Moses, Jesus, and Elijah all took part in a 40-day fast in which they sustained from eating hence considered to be self-starvation (Bemporad, 1996). Although their purpose in withholding from food was not the same as those, who suffer from anorexia it could be argued that they still indulged in a form of self-starvation. If the DSM-V were around in those days it is a wonder if they would be considered to meet some of the criteria of anorexia. However, more details on their mental health, normal and societal functioning would be needed. Those who see the Bible from a more scientific standpointShow MoreR elatedHow American Society And Culture Influence Eating Disorders1193 Words   |  5 Pages Thomas1 Maddie Thomas Hantack 4 English II October 15, 2016 How American Society and Culture Influence Eating Disorders In Women Today in American society, we are all about body image. The media has promoted a certain type of body in which almost everyone feels they must have in order to fit in and be accepted. Unfortunately, this mentality leads to eating disorders. What most people fail to realize is that not everyone is meant to have the specific body type that is constantlyRead MorePsychopathology And Culture : The Epidemic Of Eating Disorders1396 Words   |  6 Pages Psychopathology and Culture: The Epidemic of Eating Disorders By: Bernadette Oldfield Dr. Van Arsdale Abnormal Psychology 6 May 2015 Throughout cultures, mental disorders vary immensely. In some cultures, certain disorders are considered taboo and not even recognized, in other cultures, the treatment of certain disorders varies, but the biggest thing that is different, is how certain disorders effect certain cultures and races less or more than others. This is somethingRead More Eating Disorders, Body Image and Cultural Contexts Essay1306 Words   |  6 PagesEating Disorders, Body Image and Cultural Contexts Although a great deal of early research on body image and eating disorders focused on upper/middle class Caucasians living in America or under the influence of Western ideals, many researchers are realizing that eating disorders are not isolated to this particular group. They are also realizing the differences in body image between occur in different races and genders (Pate, Pumariega, Hester 1992). Recently, several studies have shown that eatingRead MoreBody Image : The African American Culture1667 Words   |  7 Pagesin the African American Culture Today we live in a society that over the years has become so obsessed with body image and how an individual should look. Different cultures have different standards and norms that help to define their ideal body image. 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Very few studies address disordered eating in cultures outside of the Western and Westernized world. This could be because of the perceived lack of eating disorders in non-industrialized countries or even because there is an overwhelming amount of concern over eating disorders in Western society. However, there have been several studies done on binge eating and dietary restraint in non-western citizens and in non-CaucasianRead MoreAnalysis Of The Article The Globalization Of Eating Disorders 854 Words   |  4 Pages Eating Disorders In the essay â€Å"The Globalization of Eating Disorders† by Susan Bordo speaks about eating disorders. In society today appearance is a huge factor. Even though appearance has always been a major thing but now day’s people take it to the extreme when trying to have a certain body image. Now day’s people think beauty is whatever is on the outside, instead of the inside and the outside. Most people go on crazy strict diets, surgery and some go through starvation in order to becomeRead MoreAnalysis Of The Omnivore s Dilemma Calls The American National Eating Disorder1301 Words   |  6 PagesAmerican food culture is not like other countries in the world; the diversity in foods and ethnicity creates its uniqueness. However, Americans mindset of â€Å"what should we have for dinner† and the poor decision making about food choices created the â€Å"omnivore’s dilemma† or what Pollan, in The Omnivore’s Dilemma calls the American national e ating disorder. Pollan explored more about the food that Americans consume in â€Å"an investigation of food called the industrial food chain†(Pollan, Omnivore 110).Read MoreThe Religion Of Thinness : An Spiritual Hungers Behind Women s Obsession With Eating Disorders1452 Words   |  6 PagesWomen’s Obsession with Food and Weight declared that ‘Thinness is worshipped in American culture. Unrealistic body images are promoted in the media and entertainment resulting in greater numbers of women and men who feel ‘too fat’ and suffer from eating disorders’† (Shell 1). Eating disorders are characterized by abnormal or disturbed eating habits such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating. Eating disorders have several causes including behavioral, psychological, and social factorsRead MoreEating Disorders And Anorexia Nervosa782 Words   |  4 PagesBinge Eating Disorder is a recent addition to the DSM-5. This disorder is charac terized by regular episodes of binge eating. An individual experiencing this disorder will usually not Binge use compensatory behaviors, such as self-induced vomiting or over-exercising after they binge eat. Many people with Binge Eating Disorder are overweight or obese. (Butcher, Hooley, J. M., Mineka, 2013). Anorexia Nervosa Anorexia nervosa is a mental illness that is characterized by an unrealistic fear of weight