Eating disorders have always been
associated with the individual and behavioral conditions. However, little
connection is made in trying to figure out the relevance of the condition
across the social realm. Here, the social realm highlights the role of social
factors in influencing the development and expansion of the condition. In
seeking to define the connections between eating disorders and diversity,
relationship must be established in areas related to cultural, ethnic and
socioeconomic status. Arguably, the ability to highlight and point out the
prevalence and risk of cases across cultures and various socioeconomic levels
demonstrates how eating disorders does not discriminate based on culture,
ethnicity or socioeconomic capabilities.
Defining
Eating Disorders
Prior to defining the relationship between eating disorders and
diversity, it is critical to ascertain its definition. Based from its medical
definition, eating disorders refer to a condition where an individual
demonstrates abnormal patterns of food intake. National Institute of Mental
Health (NIMH) (2010) contends that “an eating disorder is an illness that
causes serious disturbances to your everyday diet, such as eating extremely
small amounts of food or severely overeating” (p.1). Examples of eating
disorders include binge eating disorder, anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.
Examining the causes of eating
disorders, scholars remain to be divided as to what originally contributes to
the condition. Specifically, different viewpoints consider the development of
the condition. Scholars attribute the condition to behavior, psychology and
even genetics. Arguably, it is through the complex association of these
features that eating disorders can be understood. That is why “researchers are
studying questions about behavior, genetics, and brain function to better
understand risk factors, identify biological markers, and develop specific
psychotherapies and medications that can target areas in the brain that control
eating behavior” (National Institute of Mental Health, 2010, p.1).
Ethnic
Differences
A critical component in helping connect eating disorders with
diversity is the role of ethnic differences. Here, it shows how eating
disorders are not characterized mainly by a single ethnic background. Rather,
the condition has been prevalent across societies. A good approach to
understand this context would be the study of Patricia Romney where she
highlighted that eating disorders are not necessarily prevalent among white
women alone but also to black women or other women of colour. Here, the
specific thrust of the study is to point out that there seems to be a bias on
how eating disorders are perceived towards black women or women of colour.
Using this context, Romney (1998) provides that “in communities of black women,
the types of disordered eating that predominate are compulsive eating, the
consumption of high fat diets, and simple overeating which results in obesity”
(p.2). This quote clearly demonstrates the contrasting definition of eating
disorders contrary to the common features portrayed to white women.
Recognizing these differences,
eating disorders clearly have different notions and meaning to ethnic
differences. Even if Romney’s study is dated back in 1998, her analysis provides
a context of why the condition shouldn’t be understood on the point of view of
white women alone. Rather, it must be inclusive to include black and other
women of colour. These not only demonstrate a fair amount of representation of
how these cases occur in general but also encourages scholars an objective take
on how to properly address this concern.
Cultural
Differences and Ideas
Another way to link eating disorders and diversity is the existence
of cultural differences. Arguably, the development of cultural standards among
societies paves for conflicting viewpoints on how eating disorders are
understood. It is in this area that the interaction between roles and
expectations among men and women can be connected. Examining the availability
of literature, there are clearly numerous studies who have sought to address
the cross-cultural context of how eating disorders affect people from different
cultures across the world. This is contrary to the notion that this only
affects white women.
There is also a relevant challenge on how to respond to eating
problems of people coming from other cultures. For example, Cachelin et.al
(2001) study looks into the barriers that influence the treatment of eating
disorders. Here, they noted that “there appears to be a lack of recognition on
the part of both health care providers and clients that women from ethnic
minority groups can suffer from eating disorders such as binge eating disorder
(BED), a key behavioral symptom of which is binge eating” (Cachelin et.al,
2001, p.276). This assertion clearly
demonstrates the necessity of pursuing studies that cater to recognizing the
role of culture in addressing eating disorders.
Similarly, the study of Tomiyama and Mann (2008) consider the role
of culture in the development of eating disorders among college students. After
measuring the responses, the study found out the relevance of cultural values
in helping ascertain the decision to engage to eating disorders. Their
perspective gives a deeper context of how cultural connections can be a
valuable tool to connect risk factors and responding to college student mental
health (Tomiyama and Mann, 2008).
On the other hand, there has been the expansion of literature that
highlights the varying cultural ideas as far as eating disorders are
concerned. For example, differing
responses were gained from Asian countries where cases of eating disorders were
associated to cultural features and the actual definition of the disease itself
(Anderson-Fye and Becker, 2003). Relatively, this was different from other
societies, such as Africa or Middle East, where numbers are specifically
associated with numerous factors including social norms. Recognizing these
inputs, the varying perspectives of how culture perceives food as well as
eating disorders remain to be critical in helping understand its prevalence
across societies. As Romney (1998)
argues, “a full understanding of the personal and cultural meanings of weight
and food will facilitate the process of healing among women of colour suffering
from eating disorders” (p.4).
Socioeconomic
Status
The last component worth looking into is
socioeconomic status. Though the data about this part is mixed, there clearly
remains to be a relationship with one’s socioeconomic status (SES) and eating
disorders. There are those who argue that there remains to be no connections
between SES and increased eating disorders (e.g. Gard & Freeman, 1996 and
Gray et.al, 1997). However, there are also scholars who contend otherwise and
bringing forward the role of SES as critical in helping understand the
development of the behavior (Anderson-Fye and Becker, 2003). Regardless of
conflicting results, the idea of socioeconomic status complements the viewpoint
that eating disorders remain to be diverse and affects different groups.
Conclusion
Overall, eating disorders and diversity remain to be closely
associated because of how the condition influences people from various society
and cultures. Even if the causes of the condition are influenced by multitude
of factors, the social component demonstrates the relevance of understanding
the condition as diverse and distinct from one society to another. Carefully
looking into areas related to socioeconomic status, cultural and ethnic
differences can clearly highlight the ability to differentiate the condition
across groups. This gives a more objective and appropriate response to the
problem. It also encourages a more inclusive perspective of eating disorders by
taking into account how the social context influences the development of the
behavior.
References
Anderson-Fye, E.P. and
Becker, A.E. (2003). Chapter 27: Sociocultural Aspects of Eating
Disorders. Handbook of Eating Disorders and Obesity. Thompson, J.K. (Eds.) US:
Wiley Publishing. 565-589.
Cachelin, F.M., Rebeck,
R., Veisel, C. and Striegel-Moore, R.H. (2001). Barriers to Treatment
for Eating Disorders Among Ethnically
Diverse Women. International Journal for
Eating Disorders 30(1), 269-278.
National Institute of Mental
Health (2010). What are Eating Disorders.
Retrieved from
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/eating-disorders/index.shtml
Romney, P. (1998).
Eating Disorders Among Black Women and Other Women of Colour.
National
Eating Disorder Information Centre. Retrieved from
http://www.nedic.ca/knowthefacts/documents/Eatingdisordersamongblackwomenandother.pdf
Tomiyama, J.A. and Mann,
T. (2008). Cultural Factors in Collegiate Eating Disorder Pathology:
When Family Culture Clashes with
Individual Culture. Journal of American
College Health 57(3), 309-313.
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