In the past decades, eating disorders have been steadily rising in Mexico. While they are still less common than in many places of the world, a substantial number of young people now experience eating disorders.
Data from the Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey 2018 found that:
- 1.94% of adolescent girls aged 10-19 were at high risk of developing an eating disorder (rising from 1% in 2006 and 1.9% in 2012)
- Older adolescents were at a higher risk than younger ones
Data drawn from the Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey 2006 also showed that:
- Young people in larger cities were more likely to be at risk of eating disorders than those in more rural areas
- Females were around 3 times more likely than males to be at risk of an eating disorder, similar to data from many other countries
Are Eating Disorders More Common Among Young People from Higher Socio-Economic Backgrounds?
It’s widely accepted that eating disorders are influenced by social norms and cultural ideals. In particular, the ‘thin ideal’ of Western beauty ideals is often a driving factor in the development and maintenance of disordered eating behaviours. The spread of Western ideals across different regions of the world is often linked to the rise of eating disorders in non-Western countries.
Cultural values and norms about body shape can lead to body dissatisfaction, low self-esteem, self-objectification, and other risk factors for eating disorders. In this context, it’s also possible that specific social groups and socio-economic statuses are at an increased risk of eating disorders.
Research from Mexico exploring the link between eating disorders and socioeconomic status shows mixed results. While some studies have found no significant link, other research suggests that eating disorders are more common among young people from households with higher economic status. One study found that:
- The prevalence of eating disorders increased with higher socio-economic status
- Eating disorders were more common among young people whose fathers had had more years of formal education
The authors suggest that the link between eating disorders and socio-economic status may be linked to exposure to ‘modern’ cultural norms, such as the ‘thin’ ideal, individualism, and changing female gender roles.
Eating Disorders in Urban and Rural Areas
Data from 2006 shows that eating disorders are more common in urban and metropolitan areas than rural ones. Young people living in northern and western-central areas of Mexico are also more at risk. As with socio-economic status, urban areas may be more influenced by Western beauty ideals and other cultural norms that increase the risk for disordered eating behaviours.
Eating Disorders and the ‘Thin’ Ideal
Different studies show that young people in Mexico who are aware of the ‘thin ideal’ – and those who internalise it as their own value – are more likely to develop eating disorders.
One study found that among both male and female university students, internalisation of the thin ideal increased the risk for eating disorders. For male students, a drive for muscularity also increased the risk.
The ‘thin ideal’ promotes a specific body type as desirable, which is unrealistic and unhealthy for most people. This can cause young people to experience distress and dissatisfaction with their own body shape and use disordered eating behaviours to try and change it.
Body dissatisfaction can be extremely distressing, and ideas about shape and weight may dominate a young person’s daily life. They may continue to use disordered eating behaviours even when it seriously harms their mental, physical, and social well-being.
Men who experience a drive for muscularity (with or without the thin ideal) may also engage in disordered eating behaviours that centre around building muscle mass. This includes ‘bulk and cut’ cycles that involve periods of excessive exercise followed by days or weeks of energy restriction. Like other disordered eating behaviours, these patterns harm a young person’s mental and physical health.
What Other Factors Contribute to Eating Disorders in Mexico?
Various studies have identified other factors that make young people in Mexico more likely to develop an eating disorder. These include:
- Self-esteem and physical activity (for females)
- Drive for muscularity and self-esteem (for males)
- Smoking tobacco or drinking alcohol
- School attendance
Eating Disorders and Co-Occurring Mental Health Conditions
Like other places in the world, young people in Mexico with eating disorders often experience co-occurring mental health conditions. Co-occurring disorders can both contribute to – and be caused by – eating disorders. They can also complicate the treatment process, making recovery longer or more difficult.
One study based in Mexico found that 89.3% of adolescents with an eating disorder also had a co-occurring psychiatric disorder. The most common co-occurring disorders were related to changes in mood. Major depression was the single most common co-occurring disorder, experienced by 52% of the group. 18% had a generalised anxiety disorder, and 21% met the criteria for ADHD.
Mood disorders such as depression can contribute to the development of eating disorders. Symptoms of depression include low self-esteem, a trait that can underpin body dissatisfaction and preoccupation with shape and weight. Depression can also cause feelings of distress that young people try to cope with through disordered eating behaviours.
ADHD also makes the development of eating disorders more likely, particularly binge eating disorder (BED) and bulimia nervosa. Impulsivity, one of the core traits of ADHD, may contribute to episodes of out-of-control eating in both BED and bulimia. Some research has found that girls with ADHD are over three times more likely than others to have an eating disorder.
On the other hand, eating disorders can also cause or contribute to the development of mental health disorders. Restricted energy intake and disordered eating behaviours affect the balance of hormones in the brain and body, causing low mood, anxiety, sleeping problems, and other mental health symptoms. Eating disorders can also cause or exacerbate feelings of shame and worthlessness.
Because eating disorders dominate a young person’s life, they often lead to isolation or withdrawal from friendship groups. Young people may also take a step back from hobbies and activities they usually enjoy. These social and behavioural changes may make young people more vulnerable to mental health disorders.
How Does The Wave Support Young People from Mexico to Recover From Eating Disorders?
Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that require professional support. The longer an eating disorder goes on, the more difficult it is to treat. This means that accessing effective, specialist treatment as soon as possible is really important.
The Wave Clinic, Malaysia, offers residential treatment for young people with eating disorders and other mental health concerns. Our programs include a diverse selection of evidence-based modalities delivered by a team of experts in child and adolescent psychiatry. We involve families in the treatment process from stage one, appreciating the key role family members play in support and recovery.
Offering a Safe and Supportive Environment
Our residential spaces cater to young people at every level of need. For teenagers and young adults at the highest risk, we have ICU beds, 24-hour medical monitoring, and the necessary facilities to manage medical complications if they occur. For those who require a lesser level of care, our Main House provides a supported, collective living environment where young people live alongside one another as they grow and recover.
Continuing Education
We understand how important it is for young people to continue their education while they receive mental health support. At The Wave, we partner with prestigious schools through online platforms to deliver personal learning programs according to each young person’s curriculum. We also provide one-on-one tutoring with teachers and academics based in Kuala Lumpur.
As well as continuing their education, young people also have the opportunity to broaden their skills, knowledge, and interests. Through vocational qualifications, community work, and enriching experiences, we support teenagers and young adults in discovering new passions and life paths.
Centering the Family
Families play a central role in a young person’s recovery. They often provide the close support system a young person needs to navigate challenges and stay resilient in the months and years following treatment. Families can help to reinforce positive behaviours and discourage harmful ones.
At The Wave, we centre families in the treatment process, building close relationships with family members from the start of treatment. We’re committed to exceptional communication and collaborative treatment planning. We invite families to our centre for family therapy programs to learn the skills required to best support a young person’s recovery.
Contact Us
The Wave Clinic is a Global Centre of Excellence for the treatment of eating disorders and specialist in child and adolescent psychiatry. If you’re interested in finding out more about our programs, get in touch today.
