Eating Disorders Over the Last

¶ … Eating Disorders

Over the last few decades, society has had an obsession about being thin. In the case of Hispanic women this is in response to various cultural norms and standards. An example of this can be seen in the HBO documentary Real Women Have Curves, which would highlight how various eating disorders are affecting this group. (Alexander, 2010, pg. 256) As a result, a variety of Hispanic females are more than likely to be influenced by these conflicting views. At which point, the person could begin to suffer from some kind of eating disorder. The objectives of this study are: to see the effect that various eating disorders are having on the Hispanic women in the 15 to 35-year-old demographic. At which point, researchers will help to encourage those who are suffering from the condition, to seek out some form of treatment. The design method would be: surveying the sample population. This more than likely will identify people who are suffering from various eating disorders; to help them understand that they have a problem and ways they can overcome these issues. The biggest challenge is getting them to accept the fact they do have a problem and need help. If this objective can be achieved, then this study will help to identify a population demographic that has often been overlooked by other mental health professionals

Objectives / Specific Aims

Over the last several decades, a variety of mental health professionals have been increasingly focused on the overall amounts of eating disorders that are occurring in women. As there are a total of: 5 million to 10 million women and girls, who are suffering from the condition in the United States. ("Women and Eating Disorders," 2007) This would include a variety of subcategories such as: Anorexia, Bulimia and binge eating. Where, those who are affected by the condition will go from one extreme to the other. As they will often overeat on a regular basis and throw up the food they just ate, in an effort to remain within their ideal weight. The problem is that the ideal weight of the individual is below the standards of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Over the course of time, this can help someone to become malnourished, as they are constantly starving themselves, in effort to maintain these ideal standards. For many years, it was often assumed that this was isolated to Caucasian women, as their body types and ideal body image are generally smaller, in comparison with other minorities. In the case of Hispanic women, they were seen, as not as likely to suffer from this disorder, as their body types were naturally larger. Yet, when you look beyond this generality, it is clear that there is an underbelly of various eating disorders, which have quietly been affecting Latino women for many years. What has been happening is a large number of Hispanic women have been binge eating, as a way to cope with various sociological and economic issues (such as stress, poverty or racism). (Lind, 2007) At the same time, those women that are upwardly mobile and live a middle class lifestyle or beyond, tend to have more issues from Anorexia and Bulimia, with them embracing some of the ideals of American society (thin). This is significant, because it shows how eating disorders are having a dramatic impact upon this population demographic. As a result, the objectives / specific aims of this study are to identify the prevalence of various eating disorders in the Hispanic female population between: the ages of 15 to 35. With the various eating disorders that will be examined to include: Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia and binge eating. Anorexia Nervosa is when a person has trouble maintaining at least 85% of their body weight, as they have an intense fear of weight gain and a warped self-image. Bulimia is when someone is going through extreme cycles of eating, followed by periods of starvation. Like with Anorexia, those people who are suffering from the condition have a distorted of view of their physical appearance. Binge eating, is when a person continues to eat in an out control fashion, as they are using food as way to escape from pain or frustration they may have. ("Women and Eating Disorders," 2007) Once the various women have been identified as suffering from a particular condition, an intervention will take place and the person can begin psychotherapy. At which point, the focus will be on helping them to understand their illnesses and strategies they can use to overcome it.

Project Design / Methods / Barriers

The project is going to be designed to focus on Latino women in the 15 to 35-year-old age demographic. Where, a survey will be utilized to sample the various Hispanic women about these issues. The various questions will asked in a Spanish language format. This design method could be used to help corroborate the general findings on the subject. The possible barriers could be that some people would not participate in the study. Also, situations could develop where someone will know that they have a problem, yet are unwilling to seek out any kind of assistance. This is problematic, because it means that identifying the issues, may not help patients to seek out treatment options. At which point the odds decrease, that Hispanic women who are suffering from eating disorders, will seek treatment.

Specific Aims / Goals

The objectives of this study are: to identify possible eating disorders and to help those who are suffering from the condition, to admit they have a problem. Once this take place is when you would invite these individuals to various counseling services, so they can learn how to overcome the condition.

Background / Significance

A large amount of research has been conducted on various eating disorders among Caucasian females in the 15 to 35-year-old age demographic. However, the overall amounts of research on the different eating disorders are lacking. As the majority of mental health professionals believe that this isolated to the Caucasian women. A good example of this can be seen in the piece of literature from Lind (2007), which found that various eating disorders are common among minority women. With the Puerto Rican poet Luz Maria Umpierre -- Herrea often writing about the struggles that she would face with Anorexia. This is because, many Hispanic women are often taught various forms of eating disorders from older family members. At the same time, the research from Costin (2007), underscores how the incidents of eating disorders in Hispanic women will become more common, to those that are exposed to American culture. Over the course of time, these ideals will begin to affect Latino women, as they will want to have the same kind of physique as the women they read about. This information is significant, because it provides a basic foundation, as to how various eating disorders are affecting Hispanic women. As they are encouraged to engage in such activities from: older family members and through their constant exposure of American culture.