Cultural Variables That Attribute the Precursor of Anorexia Nervosa in Non-Western Countries
In recent research, the prevalence of eating disorders in non-western countries is starting to become more apparent. Though anorexia nervosa is becoming more frequent in scientific literature, the overall presence of eating disorders in non-western countries is alarming. Some researchers say that anorexia nervous is not a western bound disorder (1). This paper will focus on the general characteristic of eating disorders in non-western countries, and show that anorexia is not the primary problem and should not be the sole target in research. Moreover, the presence of any eating disorder is a precursor that could lead to a preventable eating disorder epidemic including anorexia nervosa. Several studies have examined women from Japanese, Indian, Iranian, Korean, and Chinese cultures and evaluated different variables that would diagnosis eating disorders and the factors that attribute to them. The current dominant argument is western pressures to be thin which are transplanted through media. Though western influence has proven to have a great impact on non-western countries, the unique cultural values have been shown to either add to pressures to be thin or protect them with values of culture.
First of all, within the past decade, there have been more efforts to make the effects and treatment of eating disorder syndromes. This increase in awareness could be a factor in the current trend to solve the global problem of eating disorders. However it is important to note recent movements and advances in these countries. As with more technological advances, more adolescent are exposed to western culture, which can precede eating disorder syndromes, and eventually lead to anorexia nervosa. With more western influence attributing to socio-cultural pressure, the same holds true to more resources and information to diagnosis and treat eating disorders. So, the recent prevalence of anorexia nervosa must take into account more means and awareness to diagnosis and document eating
First of all, within the past decade, there have been more efforts to make the effects and treatment of eating disorder syndromes. This increase in awareness could be a factor in the current trend to solve the global problem of eating disorders. However it is important to note recent movements and advances in these countries. As with more technological advances, more adolescent are exposed to western culture, which can precede eating disorder syndromes, and eventually lead to anorexia nervosa. With more western influence attributing to socio-cultural pressure, the same holds true to more resources and information to diagnosis and treat eating disorders. So, the recent prevalence of anorexia nervosa must take into account more means and awareness to diagnosis and document eating
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