Anorexia Nervosa in Adolescent Girls  

Anorexia Nervosa is a mental disorder causing a lack of neural appetite, often affecting adolescents. It is a self-developed treatment method that aims to control interpersonal relationships and self-perception. It is a common disease in adolescence and young adulthood, with a direct risk of death due to neurosis. Anorexia is more common in women than in men due to their deep psychosocial needs during adolescence. Gender factors, such as physical changes experienced during adolescence, contribute to the prevalence of eating disorders.

Adolescents grow rapidly, affecting their thoughts, decisions, and interactions with the environment. Adolescents are more susceptible to eating disorders like anorexia nervosa due to the physical changes they experience. Girls often believe that the opposite sex has slimmer ideal body measurements, leading to anorexia. Additionally, the image of women in different cultures can also contribute to the prevalence of eating disorders in adolescents.

In developed cultures, women are often expected to have slim bodies, leading to an increase in eating disorders in Western countries and later in countries like China and the Middle East. This is largely due to social pressures enforced by Western culture, which promotes women's beauty. Body image, developed by Australian psychiatrist Paul Ferdinand Schilder, is a mental formation that influences an individual's perception of their body. It consists of perceptions of body measurements, attitudes that conform to the ideal of fineness, and behaviors like moderate eating, overeating, excessive exercise, and diet. Socio-cultural factors contribute to awareness of one's body, internalization of body ideals, and pressure to achieve an ideal body. Media, particularly magazines, is a significant tool in disseminating body image ideals. Studies show that following magazines is more effective than watching television in promoting body image, as readers read content aligned with their interests.

A study involving 150 women and men found that reading beauty magazines increased women's ideal body awareness and revealed body dissatisfaction. Sports magazines also increased ideal body awareness and created dissatisfaction in men. A relationship was observed between mothers and their daughters in weight loss attempts and eating behavior, with mothers conveying their values to their daughters. Adolescent girls with unsatisfied bodies exhibited moderate and excessive weight loss behaviors, with mothers actively encouraging their daughters to lose weight. Family conflict and increased depression were observed in families with children with anorexia Nervosa (AN). Heredity was found to be a significant factor in the underlying cause of eating disorders, with additive genetic effects accounting for 88% of AN and unique environmental effects.

Anorexia nervosa is a disorder characterized by excessive dieting and weight control behaviors due to family structures and unsatisfactory relationships. It is more common in young girls who are submissive, perfectionist, shy, depressed, and obsessive and is more common in children with severe stressful experiences. Eating disorders are more common in cases where the bond between maternal and child is inadequate.

Diagnosis of anorexia nervosa is often influenced by social difficulties, such as perfectionism, bullying, minority communities, and loneliness. Perfectionism is a psychological factor that leads to relapse and resistance to treatment. Bullying, mocking one's appearance, and being exposed to weak pressure due to cultural standards can also trigger the onset of anorexia. Individuals in racial and minority ethnic groups are more likely to experience social difficulties due to the expectation of conforming to Western ideals of beauty.

Adolescent girls in Fiji have been exposed to Western television, leading to negative body image concerns and eating disorders. A study in 1995 found that 74% of the population felt fat, contrary to traditional norms. Social difficulties, such as limited social networks, can also contribute to eating disorders. Anorexia nervosa is a risk factor, with a relationship between gender, body image concerns, and sociocultural factors. Adolescent girls with self-esteem issues may be at higher risk for negative effects, including social acceptability. Future research should explore the broader social and psychological context and social factors triggering anorexia.