Eating Disorders Blog

According to a blog entry by Dr. Joseph DeSoto, appearing on the website of the Martinsburg Journal (Martinsburg, West Virginia), anorexia is largely caused by a society which has learned to judge people solely based on appearance, and a society in which thinness is equated with success. According to Dr. DeSoto, "The identification of thinness with success regardless of achievement or merit has led to the development of a culturally based mental illness called anorexia nervosa."

Dr. DeSoto argues that because genetic factors play a small role in the risk for development of anorexia nervosa (he says 2 percent to 6 percent), the disease is almost entirely environmental. Dr. DeSoto believes that "Dysfunctional family relationships, perfectionist or overprotective mothers, withdrawn and passive fathers and overvaluing of mass media are some of the environmental risk factors for the development of anorexia nervosa."
(Source: www.journal-news.net)

Labels: pressures, body-image, society

Posted By: Aspen Education Group