An eating disorder is any of a range of mental conditions in which there is a persistent disturbance of eating behavior and impairment of physical or mental health. Women have 8.60% of the population's eating disorders and 4.07% of men have it. Eating disorders are a huge problem in current times. There are many causes for them like social media, friends, and family, but there are also many ways to help someone who is struggling with one like talking to a therapist, going to a dietitian, or even just surrounding themselves with positive people in their lives. 

Social media has been researched on the effects of eating disorders and a majority of eating disorders are caused by the different apps. TikTok has made a huge impact in the last five years making many teens the most self-conscious they have ever been. “K.S. says she had TikTok for about a year before weight loss content started “flooding” her feed. She became increasingly obsessed with videos challenging viewers to consume 500 calories or less per day, as well as “What I Eat in a Day” videos, in which users show off everything they purport to consume on a given day.” (Holmes). This mother in this article is talking about her daughter and the negative impact TikTok has had on her kid. The slightest videos children see saying “Eat this and you'll look like this” make kids self-conscious on a daily basis and are ruining adults' and kids' mental health. According to Mental Health First Aid, it states that there are just women and girls alone with 52% of all eating disorders are caused just by TikTok, and men are 45% (Selah House). With that, other apps that have caused this disorder are Instagram and Twitter. These popular, but harmful apps make men and women feel embarrassed because they don't feel like they are as good as the person on the other side of the screen. The same mom who stated her daughter having problems with social media but mainly TikTok said, as her condition worsened, she began to experience persistent fatigue, intermittent numbness in her fingers or toes, and continual coldness. Her hair started to fall out, and occasionally she had near-fatal dizziness (Holmes). Those conditions happen with almost every eating disorder, but in this situation, it was all because of social media. 

Friends and family also have an impact on eating disorders within people. One of the main things is strict household rules within the family. One example is someone that I know has had problems because of family. Growing up her dad had always told her two meals a day and after that no more. There would be specific times when she would go eat a snack and he would make negative comments to her and her body. This put a huge mental strain on her and my family had to work with her every single day on how important it is to fuel your body and eat. “Families with strict family rules that hinder or restrict the expression of thoughts, feelings, and self are exposed to a risk for the development of eating disorders, especially in cases where restrictive rules concern food” (Basal). Another cause for eating disorders can be caused by friends. Disordered eating patterns might arise as a result of peer pressure to adhere to particular body ideals, take part in excessive fitness regimens or diets, or develop harmful eating habits. Furthermore, poor body image and self-esteem problems may be exacerbated by social comparison and competitiveness within friend groups, which can result in disordered eating practices. Further, it is possible for individuals to unintentionally normalize or justify such actions when they are among friends who are publicly battling with eating disorders themselves. Researchers hypothesize that eating disorders develop as a result of social pressure to be thin (Becker). Though there are many reasons eating disorders can be caused, a high percentage of them are caused by just friends and family themselves. 

If you notice the warning signs of an eating disorder in a friend or family member, it's important to speak up and say something (Smith). Eating disorders can be addressed through a combination of therapeutic interventions, medical support, and ongoing care. Treatment approaches such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and family-based therapy have shown effectiveness in helping individuals develop healthier attitudes towards food, weight, and body image. Additionally, nutritional counseling and medical monitoring are essential components in addressing the physical health complications associated with eating disorders.  A supportive and understanding environment, along with the involvement of loved ones and caregivers, is also crucial in the recovery process. It's important to recognize that recovery from an eating disorder is a journey that requires patience, determination, and ongoing support, and seeking professional help is key to overcoming these challenging conditions.

Eating disorders are a very serious thing nowadays and will always be. There are many causes for them, but in the end, there are also many ways to help fix them. If you ever know someone that is struggling with an eating disorder don't be afraid to help them out or let someone know, because you could be one of the biggest impacts in their life and help them with so much just by being there for them. Over 60% of people recover from this disorder and you could be one to help. 

Works Cited

Becker, A. E. (2024). Eating disorder. In World Book Advanced.

worldbookonline.com/advanced/article?id=ar751642

Helping Someone with an Eating Disorder. (2024, January 5). HelpGuide.org. Retrieved February 13, 2024, from helpguide.org/articles/eating-disorders/helping-someone-with-an-eating-disorder.htm

Holmes, Helen. "TikTok Hit With Another Lawsuit Over Teens’ Eating Disorders." The Daily Beast, ProQuest; eLibrary, 02/10 2023, explore.proquest.com/elibrary/document/2775126974?accountid=205657.

How Do Eating Disorders Affect Society? |. (2024). Selah House. Retrieved 

February 13, 2024, from selahhouse.com/resources/how-do-eating-disorders-affect-society/

The Role of Family Relationships in Eating Disorders in Adolescents: A Narrative Review. (2020, April 2). NCBI. Retrieved 

February 13, 2024, from

 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7226005/