The rise of eating disorders in the Nigerian society stems majorly from the idea that, beauty is tied to a certain body weight, shape and size. This can be seen all around us especially in the fashion industry. The mannequins where beautiful clothes are displayed, models who display clothes on runways, the most successful girls in movies, the heroines in our favourite books, all have a specific body size.
In a society where beauty is associated greatly with body weight, what happens to those whose weight don’t match up with what society deems beautiful? This association is what fosters the rise of Anorexia Nervosa.
Anorexia is an eating disorder characterized by attempts to lose weight. It is an extremely unhealthy way, an individual tries to cope with emotional problems. People with this disorder tends to equate thinness with self worth and cause them to obsessively watch their weight. They have a fear of being overweight or seen as such. They may weigh themselves frequently, eat small amounts, exercise frequently, force themselves to vomit or use heavy laxatives to lose weight.
The causes of this disorder is composed of biological, psychological, and environmental factors. There may be some genetic changes that make people be at a higher risks of developing anorexia.
Psychologically, people with this disorder tend to have extreme drive for perfectionism which causes them to think they are not thin enough. Environmental, in present society, much emphasis are placed on thinness, peer pressure among young girls and even people of advanced age fuels the need to be thin.
Symptoms of this disorder are, physical, behavioral and emotional. Among others are, low blood pressure, extreme weight loss, frequently skipping meals, fear of gaining weight etc. People with anorexia are at high risk of developing other mental disorders and it is advisable for patients to get help medically through psychological therapy and nutrition counseling.
– Achenyo Agnes
Mass Communication Student
Prince Abubakar Audu University., Anyigba, Kogi State
