APPROVED Advisor

Eating disorders remain, for the most part, an enigma, making both prevention and treatment of this potentially deadly mental disorder a considerable challenge. Eating disorders are unique because of their extremely high occurrence in females versus males, with peak onset occurring in adolescent girls. It is logical then to examine how gender factors into the disease. Women have higher rates of all depressive disorders and food rejection in particular has a long history of occurring in women. There are a number of theories as to what makes women so vulnerable, most pointing to unrealistic expectations or obstacles to success generated by the social construction of gender. These expectations and obstacles can create considerable discord within the psyche of women, a stress which can manifest itself with depressive symptoms like those of eating disorders. In adolescence, girls begin to embody their womanly selves, making the challenges of womanhood seem not only inevitable, but imminent. Compounded by the stress that accompanies pubertal changes, this time can be very difficult for young women leading to many forms o