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How have cultural and societal norms contributed to the rise of Eating Disorders in recent years?

Hayward Kobieriecki

In recent years, there has been a significant rise in the prevalence of eating disorders, and cultural and societal norms have played a significant role in their development. Different cultures have different expectations for beauty and body size, and these ideals are often perpetuated by the media, fashion industry, and even social media influencers.

In Western cultures, thinness is often considered the standard of beauty, which has led to an obsession with weight loss and a desire to achieve a specific body shape. This has resulted in many people, particularly young women, resorting to extreme measures to lose weight, including restrictive diets, excessive exercising, and even the use of harmful diet pills.

Moreover, social media has further contributed to the pressure to conform to a certain ideal of beauty. On platforms like Instagram and TikTok, influencers with unrealistic body ideals gain millions of followers, who aspire to be like them. These influencers often promote diets, workout routines, and cosmetic procedures that may not be healthy but are seen as a shortcut to achieving the perfect body.

Societal norms have also played a role in the development of binge-eating disorder. In many cultures, food is often used as a way to celebrate, and overeating is normalized. However, when combined with feelings of shame and guilt after overeating, this can lead to a vicious cycle of bingeing and purging.

Additionally, mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, can exacerbate eating disorder symptoms and may be influenced by cultural and societal norms. People who don't fit the cultural ideal of beauty can be stigmatized and discriminated against, leading to feelings of low self-esteem and depression.

Overall, cultural and societal norms have created an environment where eating disorders can thrive, and it's important for individuals, communities, and governments to take action to address this issue. Promoting more diverse ideas of beauty and body acceptance, fostering healthy relationships with food and exercise, and providing accessible mental health resources can help prevent and treat eating disorders and improve the overall well-being of individuals and society.