Combating Eating Disorders in Adolescents

The topic of eating disorders is one that is discussed increasingly more each day in society. As the media continues to portray rail-thin bodies, this psychological disorder seems to be growing as adolescents yearn to fit in with this social ideal of slimness as the accepted body form.

The overall perception is that the media as well as the culture surrounding us places negative ideas in children's heads, causing them to feel bad about themselves and start a fight within to reach an impossible look. Placing particular emphasis on the causes and effects of eating disorders, as well as studies done to treat and prevent them, these sources offer a view of this psychological battle which thousands of people struggle with daily. In looking at several disciplinary areas it is easy to see that they each approach the concept of eating disorders differently.

Popular articles tend to teach readers about the topic, while relating it to the media and social contributions. In viewing the topic from the sciences perspective, researchers are looking for medical treatments of the disorders and investigating what effects these treatments may have. The social sciences take a different look at this topic, as it focuses on surveys and analyzing. In this discipline, studies are done to help researchers better understand the problem at hand. Finally, the humanities revolve around the social aspect of eating disorders, studying the influences which the media and culture have. I believe that while each of the disciplines provides readers with a different viewpoint of the topic, they all are related in the general concept that eating disorders are dangerous and need to be stopped. The popular articles seem to tie everything up, giving off general information on this psychological battle as well as teaching people how to help combat it.