What's happening to the adolescent physique?

As a high school educator we work with adolescents all day long yet it still amazes me how we are able to 'miss' the body image obsessions of our students. It struck me recently, at a high school gala, that our male students (more than in years gone by) are sporting 'ripped' physiques at the pool.

Are we seeing the result of a media focus on the male physique that is beginning to take control of the body image of our students?
Are our students taking strides towards improving their physiques that could potentially lead to more dangerous practices?
Are we more conscious, thanks to the plethora of media images, of how our body appears to others?

It would give credence to the idea that there is a growing tendency among males to find fault with their physique and an even more troubling practice of physique enhancement at school level to become more 'ripped' and 'buff' than in previous years. I am well aware that many of our school-going kids are making use of mass-building supplements in conjunction with strict gym routines to get into shape...but at what point is this unhealthy?

Are our males feeling emasculated? Are we losing our identity as 'males' in society?
Is our growing obsession with our appearance a desperate attempt at regaining a sense of power or control?

Your thoughts???

In-Patient Therapy

I follow a number of organisations on twitter that work specifically with eating disorder patients and the dissemination of information for those interested in disordered eating patterns.

The Academy for Eating Disorders at www.aedweb.org have a very user-friendly website with numerous tit-bits of information that you might like to have a look at.

On the off-chance that you are South African and in need of In-Patient therapy, Twin Rivers in Cape Town is a well-established institution that may be in a position to assist. While i'm sure we all agree, in-patient therapy is particularly pricy, it is necessary for some clients. Out-patients have a number of options in South Africa, a selective Google search on eating disorder therapy will glean a list of therapists (including myself) that work with male and female clients. It would be advisable however, to seek out a therapist/counsellor who has some experience in this field.

If you have stumbled across this webpage in an attempt to seek support, please feel free to drop me an email.

The Ostrich Syndrome...

We are lagging well behind in South Africa with regards to eating disorder awareness. One only has to run a google search to realise that countries such as the USA and the UK are streaks ahead in their approach to working with people who have disordered eating patterns.

Why are we, as South Africans, not talking about eating disorders?

We have limited resources available to sufferers. Are we sticking our heads in the sand?

Is our culture of red meat consumption and beer drinking around the braai (barbeque) over the weekend creating an unrealistic perspective of what constitutes a 'red-blooded' male in this country?

I will acknowledge that female sufferers are slowly beginning to come out of the woodwork and seek support but how long will it be before our males feel comfortable enough to recognise their disordered eating patterns and to seek assistance?

At a theoretical level we know that there are numerous males that are struggling with patterns of eating that are detrimental to their health, but we don't get to see them in private practice.
How do we begin to champion for those young and older men?
How do we reach them?

When will we support those in need?

Males suffering with bulimia, as an example, are on the increase through the world. The stress and strain of daily life is overwhelming. Are we so disconnected from our fellow-man that we refuse to support those nearest and dearest to us and encourage them to get the help that they so desperately need?

Let's get our heads out of the sand, take a good look around and start talking about these issues; a non-judgmental approach is what it takes.

Counselling

I run a private counselling practice in Pretoria South Africa for those who may need it. Most of my clients are working on areas of concern related to body image and disordered eating including anorexia and bulimia. Feel free to contact me for support or to make an appointment.
Dr Gary Elliott
gelliott@tygervalleycollege.co.za

Perception and Genetics

Mental health problems can often run in families and disorders such as depression, eating disorders or obsessive-compulsive disorder could predispose a child to an increased risk for body image problems. It is important to remember that a genetic factor does not suggest that a body image problem will definitely develop; in a similar light, it is quite possible for a body image problem to develop without the existence of a genetic risk factor (Veale, Willson & Clarke, 2009).

A child with particular personality traits can be more vulnerable to developing a body image problem. Adolescents who tend to be perfectionist, excessively shy or withdrawn have a greater risk for developing a body image problem if these personality traits are coupled with triggers. It has been suggested that healthy adolescents assess their body image in a more positive light; this has a tendency to result in better relationships with their family members and peers.

Adolescents with a poorer body image appear to have problems with their perception; they tend to perceive their bodies as larger than they are and attach a high degree of importance to their physical appearance. Life experiences that make an adolescent vulnerable to body image problems include emotional neglect, rejection, bullying or sexual abuse, leading to feelings of worthlessness.

In Beck (1985) it is suggested that body image problems are caused, primarily, by negative thought patterns, which he labeled the ‘cognitive triad’.

Orthorexia Nervosa

The term ‘Orthorexia’ was first coined in 1997 by Dr. Steven Bratman. The combination of the Greek words ‘orthos’ meaning correct or right and ‘orexis’ meaning appetite gives the lose definition of correct eating; prior to coining the term Bratman previously referred to Orthorexia as “righteous eating”. Predominantly, the primary focus is eating healthy food. In addition to healthy eating, it is purported that orthorexics “obsess” over the quality of the food they eat more than the quantity.

Not uncommon to many ‘diet plans’, the orthorexic places high importance on large quantities of fruit and vegetables in his eating plan, but often will fixate on eliminating what he deems ‘bad’ foods; with some sufferers trying to completely eliminate fat, sodium and carbohydrates from their diet. Dr Bratman affectionately refers to orthorexics as ‘health food junkies’, unfortunately this rather tongue-in-cheek term does little to relay the seriousness and potentially life-threatening nature of the disorder.

Binge Eating Disorder

It is proposed that binge-eating disorders (BED) seem almost as common among men as among women, with a ratio of about 40% male to 60% female. A large number of authors in the field of binge eating suggest that overweight young people have a lower self esteem than their normal weight male peers. Many men who binge eat are not overweight, or are only a little overweight, but still they are constantly concerned about their body shape and their level of fat. These men often feel distressed over their body image (body image dissatisfaction) in addition to their shame, secrecy and self-depreciation occurs in conjunction with the most severe eating disorders.