4 Main causes of increased eating disorders and obesity for teens
Technically, we don't know, although some of the contributory causes seem pretty obvious.
1. Increased exposure to TV commercials
Children are exposed to more commercials for junk food and more 'super-thin' images and characters. They are being encouraged to eat high fat food and be thin - both at the same time!
2. Glossy magazines still utilize abnormally thin fashion models
The message is clear: "thin is beautiful".
3. Lack of parental control, guidance and example
When Mom and Dad are fat and/or constantly dieting or using laxatives, diet pills and so on, it's difficult for teens to avoid copying their parents bad eating and dieting habits.
4. Affluence and family fragmentation
More Moms and Dads are working. More kids eat and/or watch TV in their own rooms. More kids go away to college. These factors only serve to diminish parental control over their kids eating habits. They may even weaken relationships between parent and child and may indirectly lead to increased psychological stress which is an important underlying cause of eating disorders like anorexia.