Features of Predisposition to Eating Disorder among Adolescents who are on Diet outside the Prescription of a Doctor

Abstract

In the article, the impact of «diet» is considered that is used by adolescents outside medical prescription for controlling their weight, emotional state and maintaining self-esteem. The researches for the last ten years are analyzed, the psychosocial factors of predisposition to the formation of disorders of eating behavior among adolescents are explained and described. In order to solve the problems we have formed a sample of respondents: adolescents aged 12-14 years from Ternopil and Lviv schools. At the beginning of the study, 347 questionnaires were received, 88 of them were included in the experimental group. Participants were offered diagnostic materials, in particular: The Eating Disorder Impairment Questionnaire and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale screening scale. According to the results of work we described five aspects of predisposition to eating disorder among adolescents. Key among of them is body dissatisfaction and low self-esteem. It is established that low self-esteem intensifies fixation on the problem areas of the body by increasing the desire for harmony, and the unproductive use of rigid diets or restrictions in the amount of food gives a sense of control over emotions and thoughts. At the same time, it is indicated that the anxiety that is felt in this regard affects the propensity to interpersonal alienation. It is concluded that depression and uncontrolled overeating might act as independent triggers for the distress and modifying factors supporting the development of eating disorders are the fear of ripening and perfectionism. The materials described in the article provide grounds for considering the results as a screening model for eating disorder, which may be proposed for use in psycho-educational work with adolescents.