How Social Media Fuels Eating Disorders in Mexico
A hidden crisis is gripping Mexico, with 25% of adolescents battling eating disorders, but fewer than 10% receiving treatment. Distorted eating behaviors, societal pressures, and the pandemic's impact have fueled this epidemic.
Did you know that a staggering 25 percent of Mexican adolescents suffer from eating disorders? That's right, a quarter of these young individuals are battling with distorted relationships with food, but less than 10 percent are receiving treatment. These alarming statistics, provided by the Ministry of Health, shed light on a grave issue plaguing Mexican society. Brace yourself as we dive into the perplexing world of eating disorders and explore the factors that contribute to their prevalence.
While the general population's incidence of eating disorders ranges from 1.5 to 3 percent, it is suspected that these figures have soared even higher in the wake of the pandemic. José Eduardo Otáñez Ludick, a professor at UNAM's Zaragoza School of Higher Education, warns that this epidemic primarily affects young women, particularly adolescents, but is now making its presence felt in children as young as 12 years old. The harrowing truth is that eating disorders are not limited by age or gender, and their impact extends far beyond the dinner table.
