May 28 2008
Eating Disorders Increasing Among African American Teens
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A new website for African American girls and teens, www.urbangirlz.org, reveals a disturbing trend revealing African American teens suffering from eating disorders — an illness more commonly associated with Caucasian women. Studies sited by the Office of Women’s Health indicate Black girls and teens are not only binging and purging but admit to fasting and using laxatives regularly to lose weight. Changes in eating behavior among African American teens are tied to body dissatisfaction, according to researchers. In the past, eating disorders were not common in the Black community because the Black culture has generally embraced all body types. However, the alarming obesity epidemic among Black girls and teens, combined with the “thin is beautiful” message from the media, is driving Black girls and teens to seek drastic measures to control their weight and conform to perceived societal norms, according to the study. Researchers call for increased age-appropriate online forums designed specifially for African American girls and teens to celebrate their culture and address the unique issues of being young, urban and female. |
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