Body Image and Disordered Eating American teens in crisis

The Need for Addressing Body Image and Disordered Eating b 60% of average weight girls and 18% of underweight girls are trying to lose weight b Adolescent girls are avoiding calcium rich foods because they view them as fattening b One in four London girls were found to be damaging their IQ’s by dieting b Weight reduction efforts by teenaged girls results more often in weight gain b Eating disorders are on the rise and are turning up in younger girls

The School Environment How can school policies and practices support positive self-esteem, body image and healthy eating habits? b Zero tolerance for discrimination/harassment b Educational opportunities for staff b Ongoing support group b Parent education b Healthy school meals programs b Adequate time for eating b Nutrition education in the curriculum

Body Image and Disordered Eating Topics to be covered: b b The Media, Body Image and Eating Disorders b b Tips for Becoming a Critical View of the Media b b The Perfect Body Myth: A Look at Teen Body Size b b Some Basic Facts About Eating Disorders b b How to Help a Friend: b b Information for Teachers regarding Eating Disorders

Current Problems with the Media b Media images define beauty b Currently…media messages scream “Thin is In!” b Value placed on body size ($$$= thin)

Teen’s Exposure to the Media b b Adolescent girls get most of their health info from main stream media b b 60% of Caucasian girls report reading at least one fashion magazine regularly b b Women’s magazines have 10.5 times more advertisements and articles promoting weight loss than men’s magazines b b The average teen watches 3-4 hours of TV per day   TV commercials – 1 out of 3.8 sent some sort of attractiveness message

Become a Critical Viewer Teens do not need to passively receive these negative messages - they can take action!

When viewing messages, keep in mind... b Media messages are constructions, not reflections of reality b Message has been carefully crafted with an intent…what is this intent? b Ads are created to buy or support a product or service b Viewer chooses how they receive message

Action Steps to Take b Talk back to your TV b Send positive communication to inspiring messages b Send negative communication to offensive messages b Tear out magazine pages - enjoy your edited magazine! b Talk with friends and family b Boycott products from companies sending negative messages

The Perfect Body Myth: A Look at Teen Bodies b Significant change takes place in preteen and teen years b Knowing what to expect may lessen some fears b Help kids accept wider definition of beauty

Growth During Adolescence b Most rapid growth period other than infancy b Between ages % of adult height15-20% of adult height % of adult weight50 -80% of adult weight 45% of skeletal mass45% of skeletal mass

Fat Accumulation During Puberty b Fat deposition occurs between ages 9-12 b Body is getting ready for explosive growth b Fat/growth is met with fear and anxiety b This stored fat usually disappears by late teens

Healthy Eating & Active Lifestyle b The winning combination! b Teen growth spurt is an “opportunity of a lifetime” b Adopt healthy behaviors that will last a lifetime b Healthy food choices and daily exercise

Some Basic Facts About Eating Disorders b Signs and Symptoms b Suspected Causes b Recommendations for helping someone

General Definition of Eating Disorder b Anorexia, Bulimia and Binge Eating Disorder b Extreme emotions, attitudes and behaviors regarding weight and food issues b Serious emotional and physical problems b Can be life-threatening

Anorexia Nervosa b Characterized by self-starvation & excessive weight loss b Symptoms: Refusal to maintain body weight above minimal normal valueRefusal to maintain body weight above minimal normal value Intense fear of weight gainIntense fear of weight gain AmenorrheaAmenorrhea Extreme concern with body weight/shapeExtreme concern with body weight/shape

Bulimia Nervosa b Characterized by secretive cycle of binge eating followed by purging b Symptoms Repeated episodes of bingeing and purgingRepeated episodes of bingeing and purging Feeling out of control during binge eatingFeeling out of control during binge eating Frequent dietingFrequent dieting Extreme concern with body weight and shapeExtreme concern with body weight and shape

Binge Eating Disorder b Compulsive overeating b No purging, but sporadic fasts or repetitive diets b Feelings of shame or self-hatred after binge b Associated with anxiety, depression, loneliness b Body weight varies

Suspected Causes of Eating Disorders b Complex, multi-factorial BehavioralBehavioral EmotionalEmotional PsychologicalPsychological InterpersonalInterpersonal SocialSocial

Psychological Factors b Low self-esteem b Feelings of inadequacy b Feelings of lack of control b Depression, anxiety, anger, loneliness

Interpersonal Factors b Troubled family and personal relationships b Difficulty expressing emotions and feeling b History of being teased or ridiculed based on size or weight b History of physical or sexual abuse

Social Factors b Cultural pressures that glorify thinness b Narrow definitions of beauty b Cultural norms that value people based on physical appearance

Eating Disorders Information for Teachers Information here adapted from BodyWise resource for classroom teachers

Why Should Teachers Be Concerned? b Disordered eating affects learning outcomes b Younger children are developing eating disorders b All ethnic and cultural groups are vulnerable

Become Familiar With Signs and Symptoms of Eating Disorders b Physical b Behavioral b Emotional

Physical Signs and Symptoms b Weight loss or fluctuation b Abdominal pain b Feeling full or “bloated” b Feeling faint or cold b Dry hair/skin b Lanugo hair

Behavioral Signs and Symptoms b Dieting or chaotic food intake b Pretending to eat, throwing away food b Excessive exercising b Preoccupation with food b Frequent trips to bathroom

Emotional Signs and Symptoms b Dissatisfaction with appearance b Sadness, feelings of worthlessness b Perfectionist attitude

Teachers as Role Models Ask: b Do I promote fear of fat by my words/actions? b Am I dissatisfied with my body size/shape? b Am I always dieting? b Do I make comments about size/shape? b Do I have prejudices against overweight children or adults?

Address Healthy Eating from Many Avenues: b Health b Science b Social Studies b Media Literacy b Body Awareness (sex ed)

Promote a Safe School Environment Zero Tolerance for: b Size and sexual discrimination b Harassment b Teasing b Name Calling

Take Action When Concerned About a Student Goal: Communicate to student that you care and refer him/her to a health care provider trained in eating disorders BodyWise Resource: How to Help a Student

Assist Students in “How to Help a Friend” b EDAP resources are terrific b Taking action is encouraged

Module 4: Body Image and Disordered Eating Information and activities primarily focused on prevention efforts helping to combat negative body image and disordered eating

What’s the Truth? b T/F Quiz b Begins module with active student inquiry b Address misconceptions from the start

Background Information Sheets b b The Media, Body Image and Eating Disorders (EDAP) b b Tips for Becoming a Critical Viewer of the Media (EDAP) b b The Perfect Body Myth: A Look at Teen Body Size b b Some Basic Facts About Eating Disorders (EDAP) b b How to Help a Friend (EDAP) b b Say No to Dieting (from Mirror/Mirror, Beef Council)

Activity 1: Truth in Advertising b Students critique messages in popular teen magazines b Redesign an ad to reflect more healthful message

Activity 2: Self-Esteem Beyond Looks b Students learn about natural body changes that take place in teen years b Activity focuses on identifying admirable yet non-physical characteristics in others and self

Activity 3: Say No! to Dieting b Students learn about various eating disorders b Plan out campaign to send message via various media, “Say No! to Dieting” (adapted from Mirror/Mirror resource)

The Virtual Connection Online resources on body image and eating disorders : b EDAP National ED Information Center (Canada) b BodyWise b Something Fishy

Eating Disorders Awareness and Prevention, Inc. (EDAP)

National Eating Disorders Information Center

BodyWise

Something Fishy