Prevalence of Eating Disorders

Report on

THE PREVALENCE OF EATING DISORDERS

AMONG COLLEGE FEMALES

I. INTRODUCTION

Eating disorders are mental illnesses that contribute to more deaths than any other, with a 20% mortality rate. In 1998, 150,000 deaths were attributed to the eating disorder known as anorexia. Anorexia can be defined as, "a serious disorder in eating behavior primarily of young women in their teens to early twenties that is characterized especially by a pathological fear of weight gain leading to faulty eating patterns, malnutrition, and unusually excessive weight loss," ("Anorexia Nervosa"). Although only 1-3 % of American women are affected by an eating disorder, it has been estimated that as many as 20% of college women are affected by anorexia, bulimia, or display eating disordered behaviors, (Nelson). As many as one in five undergraduate women say they know a fellow student who has or has had an eating disorder at one point, (Hubbard).

This report illustrates why college age women are more likely than any other group to develop an eating disorder. This report examines the factors that may dictate an individual's behavior to participate in disorderly eating. Recently, extensive research has been completed on this topic because new statistics are being published and colleges are being alerted about the severity of this disease. This research has concluded that factors such as ethnicity, personality, and family relationships are key components in college age women facing these eating problems. Also, environmental changes that occur when one moves away to college from home can bring about new personal issues. Furthermore, the activities and interests that college women may interact with may allow self-esteem concerns to surface which can lead to eating disorders.

II. PREDISPOSING FACTORS

Many eating disorders that develop in college age women have roots that can be traced to the childhood of the individual. Research suggests that factors such as racial/ethnic background, personality type and characteristics, and the individual's relationship to his or her parents will determine the likelihood for developing an eating disorder.

RACIAL/ETHNIC BACKGROUND

An individual's racial/ethnic background is the easiest factor to put a numerical value on, and the statistics are overwhelming. In a study done by Linda Nielsen, she concluded that nearly 25% of white women presently or formerly had an eating disorder, in comparison to only 9% of black women. Not only do white women account for a larger portion of anorexics, they are also more likely to know another woman who suffers from anorexia. Nielsen also concluded that "nearly 92% of white women and [only] 77% of black women without eating disorders had known someone who was anorexic," (Nielsen). Possible reasons behind these statistics can be attributed to different outlooks on beauty between the white and black race. She says, "In part this is because black males and females have a less restrictive, less narrow definition of what makes a woman beautiful- especially when it comes to how much a woman weighs," (Neilsen).

PERSONAL ITY

Another predisposing factor is personality type. Many anorexics share common personality traits; these traits "may be described as obsessive, dependant, over controlled in hostility, and unassertive," (Rogers). In recent studies completed by interviewing anorexics and asking them to describe their personality based on a series of questions, many consistencies were found between eating disorders, and "perfectionist, type-A personalities," (Hubbard). Perhaps because these women have an innate drive to succeed, they wish to control every aspect of their lives. Alicia Mitchell, a recovering anorexic describes her bout with an eating disorder as "a way to succeed in another part of my life. I conquered virtually every other aspect of my life, and my weight and eating habits were next," (Mitchell).

FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

Relationships with family members, specifically the parents also can predispose certain individuals to eating disorders. Children, particularly females, often mimic the behaviors and attitudes pertaining to weight and beauty that they learned from the maternal figure in their lives. If a young girl's mother is comfortable with her own sexuality and with her own weight, then the girl is less likely to develop unhealthy attitudes about her own sexuality and appearance. In addition, the daughter's relationship with her father also seems to have an impact on the development of eating disorders. It has been theorized that daughters who experience close, loving relationships with their fathers are less likely to be unhappy about their weight. However, 15% of women with eating disorders said that a member of their family had criticized them for being overweight, and 85% of women with eating disorders said they had felt pressure to be thin, (Nielsen). Although certain characteristics appear to be common among women affected with an eating disorder prior to attending a collegiate institution, many do find that their eating disorders begin once they enter the post-secondary atmosphere.

III. INDEPENDENCE/ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES

For many women (and students in general), leaving home to attend college can be a very difficult, strenuous, and emotionally draining experience. Overwhelming changes occur such as entering a new academic atmosphere, attending more difficult classes, being independent for the first time, and leaving the comfort of family and home. College students deal with stress and independence in many different ways. For many, college can be a thriving, productive time. But for some, bad eating habits can develop and may lead to eating disorders. With an eating disorder, a lowered self esteem is also a result.

NEED TO SUCCEED

A factor that goes back to personality tendencies is the desire to gain control or succeed over a portion of one's life, especially when failing in another part of life. Many students who were successful in high school fail in college because of the difficulties, work load, or lack of personal control. Because of this perfectionist personality that many anorexics exhibit, many women use weight loss and eating habits as a way to gain control over a part of their lives. "If someone is having trouble in their courses and not getting the marks they wanted or expected to, they might also develop anorexia.