From the University Agenda

Beauty standards trigger eating disorders!

Recently, the reasons for the increasing complaints of eating disorders have been wondered. While experts emphasize that beauty prints play a critical role in the spread of eating disorders, they draw attention to the negative effects of the media, the fashion world and social media on individuals. Stating that this situation has turned into a public health problem not only for the individual but also for the society, the experts pointed out the importance of awareness-raising activities for the solution. Nutrition and Dietetics Specialist Tuğba Türkcan made remarkable statements on the subject.

Social media filters do not reflect reality

Istanbul Gelisim University Faculty of Health Sciences Res. Asst. Tuğba Türkcan said that disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder are directly linked to social pressures on body image and weight control. She emphasized that the idealization of slim body by the media and fashion world accelerates the spread of these disorders, particularly among young women.
Stating that unrealistic body images presented with filters and edited photos on social media create a feeling of inadequacy in individuals, Türkcan said that this situation leads to depression, anxiety and low self-esteem, and also causes the spread of harmful behaviors that encourage eating disorders.
 
Women are more at risk!

According to research, the global prevalence of eating disorders increased from 3.5% to 7.8% between 2000 and 2018. Res. Asst. Türkcan stated that these disorders are much more common in women; the lifetime incidence rate in men varies between 0.74% and 2.2%, while this rate is between 2.58% and 8.4% in women.
Türkcan, who attributed the more common occurrence of eating disorders among women to social pressures on body perception, said that especially young women are more exposed to idealized beauty standards created by the media and popular culture.
"Ideal body images, which are constantly encountered on social media, make women's expectations of themselves unattainable and this triggers eating disorders. The effect of these pressures on young women has reached alarming dimensions.''
 
Beauty perceptions become a social problem now

Res. Asst. Türkcan pointed out that eating disorders have now turned into a social public health issue, beyond being an individual health problem. It is necessary to be aware of the effects of media and social media in this process, individuals should be directed to approaches that support the perception of a healthy body.
Experts, on the other hand, emphasize that education and awareness studies should be increased in order to prevent eating disorders.