The pervasiveness of eating disorders is spreading at a rapid pace through the United States, posing a severe threat to public health. These severe conditions  include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge ingesting disease, which contribute to severe physical and mental harm to  all people, no matter their demographic.  

Recent studies indicate that the prevalence of eating disorders has been on a steady incline. According to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), an expected 9% of the U.S. Population, or 28 million Americans, experience  a threatening  illness in their life . 15% of women are afflicted by a consuming illness  by their 40s or 50s. However, merely  27% receive any help despite 95% of people who have eating disorders being  between the ages of 12 and 25. Data taken at  high schools reveals that about 25% of girls and 11% of boys reported eating disorders  and weight loss  symptoms severe enough to warrant clinical evaluation. The problem: of these symptomatic students, few reported that they had ever received treatment. 

The reason why treatment is so infrequent is because the issue of eating disorders lacks awareness. The variance of data reported reflects this: The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) reports more anorexia nervosa as the cause of death than the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A 2019 survey found that 1.9% of female and 0.6% of male high school students have an eating disorder, but these figures likely underestimate the true prevalence, as there is so much going on unseen by contempt and ignorance. 

Many factors contribute to teen eating disorders. Social pressures, for example, including the widespread influence of social media, play a critical role . A 2018 study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health found that teens who frequently use social media are more likely to have body image problems, which is typically the number one cause for eating disorders.  However, the problem extends beyond social pressures; psychological factors such as low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression are also important causes. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), teenagers with records of trauma or people who show off perfectionist dispositions face a  higher vulnerability to the  growing threat of eating disorders. Additionally, genetic predisposition is a component, as people with a family history of eating problems are much more likely to experience  these  conditions themselves.  

Despite a multitude of factors contributing to eating disorders, one has been the most detrimental of them all: the COVID-19 pandemic.  Healthcare companies have reported a dramatic surge in eating disorders  in the past few years.  The increased use  of social media systems during the pandemic has only worked to intensify  social  pressures regarding body photographs and splendor standards. Constant exposure to idealized and frequently unrealistic body images  can often result  in dissatisfaction and unhealthy eating  behaviors. The pandemic has heightened tension, depression, and stress degrees throughout the nation . These mental stressors are recognized threat elements for improving and exacerbating eating issues. Financial instability and a loss of self-assurance contribute to everyday stress, which could also worsen eating disorder behaviors. The prevalence of a weight loss plan way of life, which glorifies thinness and stigmatizes everything else that isn’t “appealing” , continues to play a great function in the development of ingesting troubles. The diet enterprise’s advertising of short-restore weight loss solutions also perpetuates harmful behaviors.

In light of the multitude of causes that can be exacerbating the issues of eating disorders, the consequences of one can be even more detrimental. Eating problems are regularly associated with excessive anxiety, melancholy, and an increased danger of suicide. The NEDA reports that fifty percent of individuals with ingesting problems additionally meet the criteria for depression, and the suicide price amongst humans with anorexia nervosa is 18 times higher than that of the general populace. Recent studies imply a troubling growth in the prevalence of these eating disorders in the United States.

Moreover, the physical and psychological impacts of eating disorders on young adults are profound. Physically, these problems can cause severe malnutrition, electrolyte imbalances, cardiac problems, and gastrointestinal troubles. A remark posted in Pediatrics in 2020 highlighted that young adults with consumption issues are at an increased risk multiplied hazard for developing osteoporosis due to extended dietary deficiencies. Psychologically, the results are negative. 

Although eating disorders are commonly associated with the impact it has on people, the economic burden can be  equally as staggering, with the annual economic cost of eating disorders in the US estimated to be  $1.5 billion — driven by health costs, lost productivity, and premature death. Recognizing the early signs and enforcing advanced strategies can dramatically improve consequences for those affected. 

So what’s the solution? Educational packages in schools and groups are important for early adoption and engagement. Studies have proven that early intervention can lead to a 50-70% reduction in symptom severity and a greater chance of complete healing. Currently, only one in ten people with any eating disorders  receive treatment, highlighting a sizable  gap in care that needs to be addressed.  Furthermore, early detection and intervention efforts can be strengthened by increasing mental health education for healthcare providers, with positive outcomes. Furthermore, insurance for a complete remedy plan that consists of clinical, dietary, and mental guidance can lessen economic barriers and improve healing costs. Further, strengthening  support systems can be  critical to the recovery process. Family-based treatment has shown a 90% recovery rate for adolescents with anorexia nervosa, demonstrating the importance of involving family members in treatment. Peer support groups also play an important role in creating a sense of community, understanding, and a conducive recovery environment. Moreover, programs can be essential in addressing  the social pressures that contribute to eating disorders. Promoting food industry policies and mental health education can help reduce the factors contributing to these problems. Overall, the struggle against eating disorders has created a new epidemic that has taken the US by storm. In order to take a systematic approach to solving this issue, 

it’s a necessity to expand education, accessible treatment, support systems, policy initiatives, and sustained research and funding.

In tackling these areas, we are in a position to minimize ingesting issues, assist everyone who needs it in their recovery process—creating a better, healthier, and more educated population. The detailed procedures presented in this text guide how to minimize the effect of eating problems and, more generally, on how to build a world that can effectively take care of mental issues and thus free those who are affected by the weight of these dreadful conditions.  

‍

Sources: 

"Eating Disorder Statistics." NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ANOREXIA NERVOSA AND ASSOCIATED DISORDERS, anad.org/eating-disorder-statistic/#:~:text=An%20estimated%209%25%20of%20the,eating%20disorder%20in%20their%20lifetime.&text=15%25%20of%20women%20will%20suffer,receive%20any%20treatment%20for%20it.

"Eating Disorder in Teens." American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Teenagers-With-Eating-Disorders-002.aspx

‍

"Statistics." National Eating Disorders Association, www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/statistics/.

‍

"Eating Disorders." American Psychological Association, www.apa.org/topics/eating-disorders.

‍

"Screening High School Students for Eating Disorders: Results of a National Initiative." National Library of Medicine, 15 Oct. 2008, www.apa.org/topics/eating-disorders.

‍

"What Is Recovery?" Eating Disorders Victoria, 15 Oct. 2008, 

www.eatingdisorders.org.au/my-eating-disorder-recovery-journey/ed-recovery-and-relapse/#:~:text=For%20some%20people%2C%20recovery%20means,a%20deeply%20personal%2C%20unique%20process.

‍