Eating Disorders & Substance Abuse

Going back to the nature vs. nurture discussions… What influences your body type?

In general… Your body type (underweight, average, or overweight) is largely determined by hormones, psychological difficulties, genetics or some combination of these factors.

Eating disorders (both extreme overeating and extreme under eating) are most prevalent in industrialized societies where food is abundant and attractiveness is equated with slimness.

How has the perception of “beauty” changed over the years? 1950’s- The average winner of the Miss Sweden title was 5’7”, 151 pounds

1980’s/1990’s- That title winner was 5’9”, 109 pounds

Usually, girls’ dissatisfaction with their bodies increases over the course of early to mid- adolescence due to an increase in body fat due to puberty.

Boys on the other hand, who are becoming more muscular, are typically more satisfied with their bodies at this point in life.

Anorexia Nervosa An eating disorder characterized by self- starvation.

These individuals… Have a distorted body image Are often good students Described by parents as “model” children May be withdrawn or depressed and engage in repetitive, perfectionist behavior

Bulimia Nervosa Eating disorder in which a person regularly eats huge quantities of food and then purges the body by laxatives, induced vomiting, fasting, or excessive exercise.

These individuals… Usually have low self- esteem Related to low levels of serotonin Thought to use food to satisfy a “hunger” for love and attention

Where do eating disorders come from? Familial expectations Genetics Media Competition (athletics) Peers

The outlook for patients with bulimia is better than for those with anorexia because the patients generally want treatment.

Researchers have found an average recovery rate of 50% after periods ranging from 6 months to five years in patients treated with bulimia.

People with anorexia often have long-term psychological problems. Up to 25% progress to chronic invalidism, and between 2% and 10% die prematurely.

Treatments… Behavior therapy Individual, group, or family psychotherapy Cognitive behavioral therapy (getting patients to rethink their attitudes, eating habits, and self- defeating beliefs) Regular appointments with a nutritionist/fitness coach Prescription drugs combined with psychotherapy (antidepressants or Prozac to combat depressive/suicidal tendencies)

Substance Abuse Since the early-mid 1990’s, use of illicit drugs among adolescents has declined slightly. Two exceptions to this trend are the use of MDMA (“ecstasy”) and anabolic steroids. (However recent studies have shown that ecstasy use has also declined significantly since 2002.)

Risk factors for drug abuse… Poor impulse control and a tendency to seek out sensation (which may have a biochemical basis)

Family influences Genetics Parental use/acceptance of drugs Poor or inconsistent parenting practices Family conflict Troubled or distant family relationships

“Difficult” temperament Early/persistent behavior problems Academic failure/lack of commitment to education Peer rejection Associating with drug users Alienation and rebelliousness Favorable attitudes toward drug use Early initiation into drug use

Drug use often begins in early adolescence when individuals are more vulnerable to peer pressure. The earlier that someone starts using a drug, the more frequently they are likely to use it and the greater the tendency to abuse it.

Gateway Drugs: Alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco (use of these may lead to use of more addictive substances such as cocaine or heroine)

The Facts: Alcohol, tobacco, or illicit drugs are shown in… 70% of prime-time network television dramas 38 out of 40 top-grossing movies Half of all music videos

After analyzing 50 children’s animated feature films, researchers found that more than 2/3 show characters smoking or drinking

Advertising also equates liquor, beer, and wine with the “good life” and with being “grown up”… Which may explain why adolescents, especially at the college age, drink more often and more heavily than their older peers.

4 out of 5 college students use alcohol, and two out of five report binge drinking (five or more drinks at one time) at least once in a two week time period.

As with other addictive drugs, alcohol use/abuse is influenced by: Genetics Biological characteristics Family/cultural backgrounds Previous drinking in high school The college environment

For Reflection: What is the parent’s role in preventing drug use? What role does the media play? How effective are “anti-drug” campaigns/commercials? Do you think that drug use/abuse is more “nature” or “nurture”?