Assignment 3: Eating disorders
Assignment unique number:864340
Page 1 of 17
,Table of Contents
PLAGIARISM DECLARATION ....................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
1. Introduction ............................................................................................................ 3
2. Black Females Are No Longer “Immune” From Eating Disorders Anymore ........... 3
3. Anorexia Nervosa ................................................................................................... 5
3.1 Diagnostic Criteria for Anorexia Nervosa .......................................................... 5
3.2 Features of the disorder .................................................................................... 5
3.3 Medical Complications Associated with Anorexia Nervosa ............................... 6
3.4 Prevalence and Gender-Related Diagnostic Issues ......................................... 7
4. Bulimia Nervosa ..................................................................................................... 7
4.1 Diagnostic Criteria for Bulimia Nervosa ............................................................ 7
4.2 Features of the disorder .................................................................................... 8
4.3 Medical Complications Associated with Bulimia Nervosa ................................. 8
4.4 Prevalence and Gender-Related Diagnostic Issues ......................................... 9
4.5 Influences ......................................................................................................... 9
5. Binge-Eating Disorder ............................................................................................ 9
5.1 Diagnostic Criteria for Binge-Eating Disorder ................................................... 9
5.2 Features of the disorder .................................................................................. 10
5.3 Prevalence and Gender-Related Diagnostic Issues ....................................... 10
6. South African context ........................................................................................... 11
7. Factors That Can Be Considered When Assessing the Above-Mentioned .......... 12
Disorders .................................................................................................................. 12
7.1 Biological Factors ........................................................................................... 12
7.1.1 Genetic Factors ........................................................................................ 12
7.1.2 Neurobiological Factors............................................................................ 12
7.2 Sociocultural Factors ...................................................................................... 13
7.3 Cross Cultural Factors .................................................................................... 13
8. Conclusion ........................................................................................................... 14
9. References ........................................................................................................... 16
Page 2 of 17
, 1. Introduction
Eating and feeding disorders are characterised by consistent eating behaviours
that are disrupted (Jordaan,2019, p479). According to the American Psychiatric
Association (2013, cited in Jordaan,2019, p479) there are eight different categories of
eating and feeding disorders namely, pica, rumination disorder, avoidant/restrictive
food intake disorder, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, other
specified feeding or eating disorder and unspecified feeding or eating disorder. The
above-mentioned eating and feeding disorders have a common characteristic which
is disruptions in behaviour of eating (Jordaan,2019). This article however does not
focus in all eight feeding and eating disorders, rather only the three most prominent
will be taken into account. These disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa
and binge-eating disorder (PYC4802 Tutorial Letter, 2020).
The following article explores why South African females are no longer
perceived to be “immune” from eating disorders (PYC4802 Tutorial Letter, 2020). The
most prominent eating disorders will be discussed in detail, following this will be a
discussion on factors that need to be taken into consideration when assessing these
disorders since South Africa is a culturally diverse nation (PYC4802 Tutorial Letter,
2020).
2. Black Females Are No Longer “Immune” From Eating Disorders Anymore
Eating and feeding disorders among black South African females were not
published until around 1995. In fact, according to Szabo and Allwood (2004, cited in
Jordaan,2019, p521) the prevalence of eating disorders in the black community has
been increasing since 1995. This could be explained by the drastic societal changes
that have taken place in South Africa, for instance, some individuals from other ethnic
groups were able to move the cities post-apartheid (Senekal, Steyn, Mashego, & Nel
(2001; Szabo & Allwood, 2006). Furthermore, most black females have adjusted to
the western standards of beauty (Petersen et al.,2006, as cited in Jordaan,2019). The
preferences for idealising thinness as beauty are increasingly becoming a norm in
South Africa (Gitau et al.,2014, as cited in Jordaan,2019). South African females have
adjusted to the western ideal of beauty that the thinner one is, the more attractive or
beautiful they are (Gitau et al.,2014, as cited in Jordaan,2019). Additionally, having
access to sources such as social media networks, fashion magazines and television,
Page 3 of 17
Assignment unique number:864340
Page 1 of 17
,Table of Contents
PLAGIARISM DECLARATION ....................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
1. Introduction ............................................................................................................ 3
2. Black Females Are No Longer “Immune” From Eating Disorders Anymore ........... 3
3. Anorexia Nervosa ................................................................................................... 5
3.1 Diagnostic Criteria for Anorexia Nervosa .......................................................... 5
3.2 Features of the disorder .................................................................................... 5
3.3 Medical Complications Associated with Anorexia Nervosa ............................... 6
3.4 Prevalence and Gender-Related Diagnostic Issues ......................................... 7
4. Bulimia Nervosa ..................................................................................................... 7
4.1 Diagnostic Criteria for Bulimia Nervosa ............................................................ 7
4.2 Features of the disorder .................................................................................... 8
4.3 Medical Complications Associated with Bulimia Nervosa ................................. 8
4.4 Prevalence and Gender-Related Diagnostic Issues ......................................... 9
4.5 Influences ......................................................................................................... 9
5. Binge-Eating Disorder ............................................................................................ 9
5.1 Diagnostic Criteria for Binge-Eating Disorder ................................................... 9
5.2 Features of the disorder .................................................................................. 10
5.3 Prevalence and Gender-Related Diagnostic Issues ....................................... 10
6. South African context ........................................................................................... 11
7. Factors That Can Be Considered When Assessing the Above-Mentioned .......... 12
Disorders .................................................................................................................. 12
7.1 Biological Factors ........................................................................................... 12
7.1.1 Genetic Factors ........................................................................................ 12
7.1.2 Neurobiological Factors............................................................................ 12
7.2 Sociocultural Factors ...................................................................................... 13
7.3 Cross Cultural Factors .................................................................................... 13
8. Conclusion ........................................................................................................... 14
9. References ........................................................................................................... 16
Page 2 of 17
, 1. Introduction
Eating and feeding disorders are characterised by consistent eating behaviours
that are disrupted (Jordaan,2019, p479). According to the American Psychiatric
Association (2013, cited in Jordaan,2019, p479) there are eight different categories of
eating and feeding disorders namely, pica, rumination disorder, avoidant/restrictive
food intake disorder, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, other
specified feeding or eating disorder and unspecified feeding or eating disorder. The
above-mentioned eating and feeding disorders have a common characteristic which
is disruptions in behaviour of eating (Jordaan,2019). This article however does not
focus in all eight feeding and eating disorders, rather only the three most prominent
will be taken into account. These disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa
and binge-eating disorder (PYC4802 Tutorial Letter, 2020).
The following article explores why South African females are no longer
perceived to be “immune” from eating disorders (PYC4802 Tutorial Letter, 2020). The
most prominent eating disorders will be discussed in detail, following this will be a
discussion on factors that need to be taken into consideration when assessing these
disorders since South Africa is a culturally diverse nation (PYC4802 Tutorial Letter,
2020).
2. Black Females Are No Longer “Immune” From Eating Disorders Anymore
Eating and feeding disorders among black South African females were not
published until around 1995. In fact, according to Szabo and Allwood (2004, cited in
Jordaan,2019, p521) the prevalence of eating disorders in the black community has
been increasing since 1995. This could be explained by the drastic societal changes
that have taken place in South Africa, for instance, some individuals from other ethnic
groups were able to move the cities post-apartheid (Senekal, Steyn, Mashego, & Nel
(2001; Szabo & Allwood, 2006). Furthermore, most black females have adjusted to
the western standards of beauty (Petersen et al.,2006, as cited in Jordaan,2019). The
preferences for idealising thinness as beauty are increasingly becoming a norm in
South Africa (Gitau et al.,2014, as cited in Jordaan,2019). South African females have
adjusted to the western ideal of beauty that the thinner one is, the more attractive or
beautiful they are (Gitau et al.,2014, as cited in Jordaan,2019). Additionally, having
access to sources such as social media networks, fashion magazines and television,
Page 3 of 17
