Madeline McAndrew DFM 453 915372125

CFS 453
Risks of Anorexia Nervosa in Female Adolescents
Madeline McAndrew
4 March 2015
Professor Siu-Chan

Madeline McAndrew DFM 453 915372125

Abstract
Eating disorders are very prevalent in the United States among female adolescents, one
eating disorder in particular, anorexia nervosa, is very common. Media increases the risk of
anorexia nervosa in female adolescents by using advertising to appeal to their insecurities in
order to make money. Female adolescents are influenced to be thin by medias advertisements of
women with unattainable physiques. As a result of desiring an unachievable body image, girls
develop anorexia nervosa. Media needs to focus on a more positive view of women through their
advertisements. There needs to be more funding for treatment of eating disorders as well as
education provided to parents and children on what influences can bring someone to developing
an eating disorder and how to detect an eating disorder if someone has one.

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Adolescence is a period in which teenagers ages eleven through twenty one look to
different influences and forms of guidance to help shape their lives. Female adolescents are
susceptible to the influences of mass media, which they follow to gather social acceptance. In the
eyes of advertisers, adolescent females have become a crucial target because they are vulnerable
and inexperienced consumers. As they grow and develop, they are learning their values and roles
and are evolving their self-identity (Kilbourne, 1999 p. 129). Advertisers take advantage of
innocent adolescents by using their insecurities as a ploy to make money (Kilbourne, 1999
p.129). The advertisements exposed to female adolescents propel them into a mentality which
obsesses with body image and the social pressure to conform to what society views as beautiful
(Department of Psychiatry, Stanford University School of Medicine). The obsession to maintain
a thin physique then becomes an intense fear of gaining weight (Anorexia Nervosa). As a result
of mass media advertising an unattainable figure to female adolescents, they develop anorexia
nervosa.
Eating disorders range from dissatisfaction with ones body image to severe eating
behaviors which negatively affect health. Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by
rapid or extreme weight loss, poor body image, and fears of gaining weight (Brown, 399). It is
the most severe condition on the continuum of eating disorders because of its impact on
mortality (Brown, 401). The characteristics of anorexia nervosa include self-starvation, fears of
being overweight, hiding food, and a fixation with food (Brown, 401). Anorexia may begin as a
female adolescent chooses to lose weight due the pressure to be thin brought on by society. As
the weight loss occurs the female is feeling proud and in control of her weight which reinforces
the restrictive behavior concerning food (Brown, 401). The reinforcement of these eating
behaviors poses a threat to the developing body of the female at such a pivotal time in the life

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cycle. Taking in the proper amount of nutrients during adolescence is important because the body
changes during this time and while developing, more nutrients are needed to fulfill an
individual's nutritional and dietary needs (Healthy Eating During Adolescence). Without the
proper amount of nutrients due to anorexia nervosa, the body will began to diminish until it fails.
Anorexia nervosa deteriorates the female body of adolescents at a time when it is
developing to carry out a long life. The lack of nutrients being absorbed affects all systems in the
body, but in particular the skeletal and cardiovascular systems have the most life-threatening
damage (Anorexia: The Body Neglected). Without the absorption of calcium, bone loss can set
in as soon as six months after anorexic behavior begins and is virtually irreversible (Anorexia:
The Body Neglected). Complications due to the loss of bone mass during adolescence leads to
osteoporosis and greater risks of fracture in the future. In addition to the degeneration of the
bones, adolescents with anorexia nervosa are at great risk for heart failure. As the body loses
mass the heart does too; it becomes small and weak (Anorexia: The Body Neglected).
Circulation becomes worse whiles pulse and blood pressure decrease (Anorexia: The Body
Neglected). Cardiac damage sets in quickly, and is the most common reason for hospitalization
in those with anorexia nervosa (Anorexia: The Body Neglected). In the Department of
Cardiology, Children's Hospital Bostons longitudinal observational study, Malnutrition and
hemodynamic status in adolescents hospitalized for anorexia nervosa, thirty-eight adolescents
with anorexia nervosa, aged 13 to 21 years, underwent cardia evaluation. After nutritional
therapy and bed rest they were evaluated again. In acutely malnourished adolescents with
anorexia nervosa bradycardia, a lower than normal heart rate, was observed in most cases
(DiVasta, 2010). The study concluded heart muscle was spared rather than metabolically broken
down in the event of malnutrition; however, the adolescents bones lost calcium and the resting

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heart rate decreased (Bone Mineral Density; see also DiVasta, 2010 ). Bradycardia can be a
serious problem if the heart doesn't pump enough oxygen-rich blood to the body, and a lack of
calcium can lead to osteoporosis (Mayo Clinic Staff). Both bradycardia and osteoporosis can
occur when adolescents do not receive adequate nutrients.
Media increases the risks of anorexia nervosa in female adolescents by influencing young
women to change their appearances due to advertisements. In the study, The role of the media in
body image concerns among women: A meta-analysis of experimental and correlational studies,
the correlation between media exposure and womens negative view towards their body image is
analyzed alongside the psychological effects which the thin ideal has on and eating behaviors
and beliefs. With a collaboration of 77 studies and 141 effects the findings support the notion
that exposure to media images depicting the thin-ideal body is related to body image concerns
for women (Grabe, 2008). Advertisements persuade adolescent females to buy products based
on physical appearance. For example, Venus razors slogan reveal the goddess in you is used to
captivate women and convince them they need these razors in order be desired. The commercials
depict women in a tropical setting revealing long, tan, shiny legs as a strategy to entice women to
buy this razor. This compelling commercial inspires women to purchase Venus razors solely for
the purpose of attaining those legs, as well as envisioning what the appearance of their new and
improved legs can provide for them. For instance, perhaps they can attain a gentleman who was
not interested in them before.
Media plays a significant role in encouraging adolescent females to become obsessed
with their body image. As a result females turn to anorexia nervosa as a solution to emulate the
advertisements. Through advertising and using social sites, media is responsible for increasing
the risk of anorexia nervosa in female adolescents. In Stanford University School of Medicine

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psychiatry departments study, Risk factors for the onset of eating disorders in adolescent girls:
results of the McKnight longitudinal risk factor study potential risk factors for eating disorders
were examined using a sample size of 1,103 multiethnic girls from grades 6-9 in school districts
in Arizona and California (Department of Psychiatry, Stanford University School of Medicine).
After many assessments over the course of three years, the conclusions reached are thin body
preoccupation and social pressure are important risk factors for the development of eating
disorders in adolescents (Department of Psychiatry, Stanford University School of Medicine).
Social pressures are the combined pressures which surround teens during everyday life,
including peer pressure, parental pressure, and socioeconomic pressure which teens are familiar
with. The girls learned through parental modeling from the women in their lives what an
acceptable appearance is. Older women who diet and wear make-up encourage the girls to model
the same behaviors. It is ingrained in the young girls that appearance is important, and it is
imperative to look like everyone else. The study demonstrates how the girls reacted to feeling
they had to conform to societys perspective of an appearance which is socially acceptable. As a
result of conforming, the girls became obsessed with their body image, which initiated eating
disorders (Department of Psychiatry, Stanford University School of Medicine). By media using
advertising to convince women of the importance of appearance and being thin, adolescent girls
are taught by parental modeling the same concept. As a result, female adolescents develop
anorexia nervosa in order to attain the ideal female figure which is encouraged by society.
Media affects the self-esteem of female adolescents through their advertisements, and by
doing so increases their risk of developing anorexia nervosa. In the study psychosocial factors
with dieting behaviors among female adolescents, it was determined whether female
adolescents who were dieting differ from those who were not (Indiana University-Purdue

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University Indianapolis, School of Physical Education). The sample included 2,536 normalweight and underweight female adolescents, and many psychosocial factors were examined
(Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, School of Physical Education). The study
concluded substantial differences between the dieters and non-dieters, and the strongest factor
contributing to the difference was self-esteem (Indiana University-Purdue University
Indianapolis, School of Physical Education).Dieters are at a greater risk for developing anorexia
nervosa because they have a lower self-esteem than non-dieters. In New York Times article,
Anorexia Nervosa, risk factors to developing anorexia nervosa are discussed. The risk factors
include age, gender, race and ethnicity, and personality disorders. The article makes statements
regarding the factors which pose the greatest threat for developing anorexia nervosa. During
adolescence anorexia nervosa is most prevalent, rather than other ages (Simon, 2013). The
gender most at risk is for developing anorexia nervosa is female. The personality traits which are
susceptible to acquiring anorexia are always being submissive and obedient, afraid of failure and
criticism, sexually inhibited, low self-esteem, and a perfectionist (Simon, 2013). The very
attributes which are predisposed to developing an eating disorder are the characteristics young
women are told to embody. As discussed by Jane Kilbourne, in Deadly Persuasion: Why Women
and Girls Must Fight the Addictive Power of Advertising, women are supposed to suppress their
feelings and be nice, yet successful in the business world while also being sexy and attractive,
but passive and virginal (Kilbourne, 1999 p. 130). The adolescent phase for females is confusing
and damaging because of all these conflicting demands and expectations brought upon them by
society. Through advertising, media exposes and emphasizes the obligations which women must
uphold regarding their appearances. It is broadcasted to young women they must possess a
flawless figure and impeccable beauty in order to pose for the cover of a magazine, be on the

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advertisement for a sexy clothing line, or to win the heart of a man in a romantic movie such as
the latest, Fifty Shades of Grey. Female adolescents are exposed to medias ideal body type and
as a result of not fitting the standards which are used in advertisements, these young women
develop a lower self-esteem and anorexia nervosa in an effort to conform to what media
considers beauty.
Although medias advertisements are doing a disservice to adolescent girls, media can
also be a solution to anorexia nervosa if it is used as an instrument for change. Media can be used
in a positive and constructive way, and can be used to the advantage of female adolescents who
are susceptible to anorexia nervosa as an educational platform. Documentaries are a positive
form of media which can spread important messages to female adolescents about their body
image, as well as role in society. Thin, directed by Lauren Greenfield, explores the Renfrew
Center in Coconut Creek, Florida, a residential facility for the treatment of women with eating
disorders (Thin, 2006). Thin sends a powerful message pertaining to the dangers of eating
disorders and how important mental health and self-esteem are. Another positive documentary,
Miss Representation, directed by Jennifer Siebel Newsom, reveals mainstream media
contributing to the negative representation of powerful women in modern day society. It also
demonstrates how women are portrayed in a derogatory manner in media (Miss Representation,
2011). Miss Representation reveals the importance of rising above media and changing the
messages being sent to society about women and their role in the world. One company in
particular has very positive advertisements for female adolescents and encourages women to be
confident and have self-esteem. Dove promotes embracing female bodies and beauty through
their commercials. Doves goal is to create a world where beauty is a source of confidence, not

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anxiety, by utilizing positive advertising, to encourage women to accept themselves (). Dove
gives advertisements a refreshing perspective.
Education is also an important way to raise awareness to anorexia nervosa. Educating
parents to understand how their influence with weight loss can affect their child is essential.
Parental modeling regarding losing weight can have a damaging impact on children as explained
earlier. Adolescents should also be informed on healthy eating habits. By learning about eating
disorders such as anorexia nervosa in school, students can learn the signs and symptoms and be
able to notice if their classmates, friends, and peers, or someone they know are exhibiting
unhealthy behaviors. Students can then get them help before the condition gets worse. Prevention
is the best way to get anorexia nervosa under control. Education and causing awareness to
anorexia nervosa as well as other eating disorders is in need of funding. 30 million Americans in
the United States have eating disorders, yet the National Institute of Health provides only 28
million dollars in funding as opposed to Alzheimers disease which collects 450 million dollars
in funding with prevalence in 5.1 million Americans (Get The Facts On Eating Disorders).
Eating disorders, which affect 30 million of the 320 million people in the United States, need to
have more preventative care, education, as well as treatment options in order to decrease the
affected population of this mental illness (U.S. and World Population Clock, 2010). Eating
disorders should obtain more funding for prevention in the United States for the younger
generations to come. Insurance should also cover rehabilitation stays for those with eating
disorders, because one month at a rehabilitation center is 30,000 dollars, and patients usually
need to stay for three months (Parker-Pope, 2010). Most insurers do not cover for long term
treatment and routinely deny adequate coverage of eating disorders on the grounds that there is
not enough evidence on how best to treat them (Parker-Pope, 2010). If patients with anorexia

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nervosa do not receive treatment they will likely die from the complications of the condition.
Anorexia nervosa claims the most lives out of every mental illness (Anorexia: The Body
Neglected). Treatment options do exist and should be made accessible to everyone with eating
disorders.

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