• This document contains a comprehensive and thorough description of my Assignment 03 on Eating Disorders.
• The report includes 13 pages apart from the references.
• The following items are discussed in the assignment in keeping with the criteria provided in Tutorial Letter 101:
o Definiti...
3 EATING DISORDERS AND THE SOUTH AFRICAN BLACK FEMALES ………………………………….8
3.1 Eating disorders as a strictly Caucasian female domain based on western ideals of beauty and thinness……….8
3.2 Traditional body image of South African black women………………………………………………………… 8
3.3 Eating disorders among black South African females……………………………………………………………9
3.4 Risk factors for the development of eating disorders amongst black females in South Africa………………….10
3.4.1 Acculturation of Western Values………………………………………………………………………...………10
3.4.2 Weight stigma…………………………………………………………………………….………………………10
3.4.3 The role of the family and peers………………………………………………………………………………….11
3.4.4 Urbanisation………………………………………………………………………………………………………11
3.4.5 Teasing or bullying…………………………………………………………………………………………….…11
3.4.6 Appearance ideal internalisation………………………………………………………………………………….11
3.4.7 Locus of control…………………………………………………………………………………………..………11
3.4.8 Identity development…………………………………………………………………………………………..…12
3.4.9 Personality traits………………………………………………………………………………………………….12
3.4.10 Body image dissatisfaction……………………………………………………………………………………….12
A CRITICAL DISCUSSION ON HOW SOUTH AFRICAN BLACK FEMALES ARE NO
LONGER PERCEIVED TO BE “IMMUNE” FROM EATING DISORDERS.
K L CONROY - PYC4802/2018 - STUDENT NUMBER: 64126455 - ASSIGNMENT 03 - Page 2
, 1 INTRODUCTION
Eating disorders have been shown to be amongst the most prevalent psychological issues
affecting the lives of young women in Westernised countries. The effects of eating disorders
can be physically and psychologically devastating. It can result in stunted physical
development, a dangerously low body mass index, lowered immunity to disease or even death
in some cases (National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), 2018). Diagnosing eating
disorders are difficult, despite physical cues such as low body mass index and changes in
skin, hair or teeth. Most cases of eating disorders go undetected for extended periods of time.
(NEDA, 2018). Eating disorders have always been viewed as a predominantly “white
people’s” disease (Ravelas, 2013; Szabo & Allwood, 2006). In recent years researchers on
eating disorders have however observed a noticeable increase in the number of cases of
anorexia and bulimia nervosa amongst black South African females (Ravelas, 2013;
Wassenaar, Le Grange, Winship & Lachenicht, 2000). This poses the question: “Do eating
disorders discriminate? In the following analysis I will differentiate between the
characteristic features and diagnostic criteria of Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and
Binge-Eating Disorder. I will also provide a clinical picture of these eating disorders. Lastly,
a critical discussion will follow concerning whether black female South Africans are no
longer immune against eating disorders.
2 EATING DISORDERS
2.1 Anorexia Nervosa (AN)
2.1.1 Definition
Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is a syndrome characterised by a state of self-induced malnutrition,
refusal to maintain a normal bodyweight that is 15 percent or more below normal for age and
height, a pathological fear of weight gain or of becoming fat and a distorted perception of
body shape and size (Burke, 2014; Pawlowski & DeAngelo, 2013).
2.1.2 Diagnostic Criteria
According to the 5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (APA,
2013), to be diagnosed as having Anorexia Nervosa a person must display:
“Persistent restriction of energy intake leading to significantly low body weight (in context
of what is minimally expected for age, sex, developmental trajectory, and physical health);
Either an intense fear of gaining weight or of becoming fat, or persistent behaviour that
interferes with weight gain (even though significantly low weight);
K L CONROY - PYC4802/2018 - STUDENT NUMBER: 64126455 - ASSIGNMENT 03 - Page 3
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