Eating disorders - links between body image and depression

Uncovering the Link Between Depression and Body Image in Adolescent Women

A study published in Adolescence recently discussed the link between depression and poor body image in early adolescent girls. The article suggests that body image is a “biopsychosocial construction” that is determined by a number of factors including the physical appearance of the body.

Body image as the article points out is a fundamental aspect of one’s personality development particularly during the teen years. Perceptions of body image have been linked to self esteem and varying degrees of depression according to the article. Further the study notes that among early adolescents a strong relationship between body image and depression exists.

Girls that have a poor body image were more likely to have concurrent symptoms of depression. Depression was also linked to an increased incidence of eating disorders in young girls. The study suggests that improvement in an adolescent's overall self esteem and body image may help combat the symptoms of depression and reduce the likelihood that an adolescent will develop an eating disorder.
 

Implications

Body image has long been linked to eating disorders. Only recently has the connection between depression and body image surfaced as a more pressing issue in the fight against disorders such as anorexia and bulimia.  It is unclear at this time whether depression surfaces prior to body image issues, or whether depression sets in as a result of body image issues among young women. Health providers and parents however, given this information, should be on the lookout for depression in teens that exhibit body image problems. Similarly, adolescents who are diagnosed with depression might be screened for eating disorders to ensure that both problems are adequately addressed should they co-exist.

This study also brings to light the potential of depression therapies as a potential new treatment for eating disorders. Young women whose depression surfaces prior to an eating disorder might prevent body image issues altogether if treated for their depression at an early stage.
 

Battling depression and negative body image

If you are concerned that your pre-teen or teen suffers from an eating disorder, remember that it is possible that they also suffer from depression. Be sure to have your teen screened for depression. There are many different treatment options available that can safely and effectively help combat depression in young women.

Remember too that poor body image over time can result in depression in your adolescent. You should work to help instill a healthy body image, sense of self esteem and attitude toward wellness within your children. You can do this by limiting their exposure to media images of “perfect” women, encouraging your adolescent to accept themselves for the contributions they make to the world and not their body image, and by not focusing too much on body image yourself within the home. Remember that many adolescents model their behavior after their parents. The less obsessed you are or other families with body image, the less likely your adolescent will be to develop a poor body image and associated problems.