The Influence Of Body Image On Teenagers

Body image is how one perceives his or her body appearance, including their height, weight and shape. Issues in terms of body image is a common problem in this society, where unrealistic body ideals are being highly promoted on media platforms such as television and the internet. In the real world, companies seldom use plus-sized models in their roadshows, campaigns or even in their posters. Therefore, this creates insecurity and has a dismissive impact on teenagers who are easily influenced by media. There are both positive and negative body images, that are affected by individual and environmental factors. This essay will be looking into the negative aspects of body image, where body dissatisfaction is an issue in anorexic and obese people.

As a result of this sudden loss of weight, the body does not get enough nutrients, thus it is forced to slow down all of its processes, in order to conserve energy. This then leads to an abnormally slow heart rate and low blood pressure, which ultimately results in heart failure. People with this disorder may also face muscle loss, dry and brittle bones and severe dehydration which can lead to kidney failure, fatigue and overall weakness. About 90-95% of anorexia nervosa sufferers are typically females in their early or mid-stages of adolescence. In addition, this issue has also one of the highest death rates of any mental health condition. There are two types of anorexia; anorexia nervosa binge/purge and restrictive anorexia nervosa. Anorexia nervosa binge/purge is when the individual would intentionally throws out whatever he or she has eaten. They find guilt in consuming any food and thus compensate their meals by vomiting, abusing laxatives or excessively exercising. Restrictive anorexia nervosa on the other hand, is when an individual starves and limits themselves from consuming any food. They try to control the amount of food ingested and ensure that it is the bare minimum. Two different types of anorexia have been explained and both of them exhibit similar symptoms, such as the fear of gaining weight and abnormal eating

Firstly, the both of them are weight related problems, with having excessive weight and the other a decrease in weight. Secondly, both anorexia nervosa and obesity are neurobiological disorders, with widespread metabolic consequences. Both of them have strong genetic and epigenetic underpinnings, which are a system of support beneath a wall. herefore, they can also be exposed to and influenced by obesogens in the environment. Obesogens are foreign chemical compounds that disrupt the development and balance of lipid metabolism, which can also lead to obesity. So, a patient who faced anorexia nervosa can form the same body weight issues as obese people, when exposed to obesogens later in their lives. Depression, anxiety and other mood disorders have also been associated with these two body image