https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2025/dec/body-image-issues-adolescence-linked-depression-adulthood
In this article from UCL talks about the fact that when young girls have low self esteem or issues with their bodies they start to see symptoms of eating disorders or depression when they become adults. This was a research study which was completed in 2,000 twins within England and it is used in order to understand how people not being happy with their bodies can effect their life latter on swell as looking at genetic and cultural reasons why this might be happening.
During this research it was found that the girls that suffered from dissatisfaction by the age of 16 are more affected in order to get an eating disorder and depression by the time they turn 21 this is still while looking at genetics and family background (I think this would be important for me to look at because I believe that most of the problem I see in Colombia it is cultural).
The reason why this test was so important was because when researching on twins was to compare identical twins who are practically the same and with fraternal ones share at least half. They used this in order to make sure that genetics is different from environmental factors. Most of the body dissatisfaction is based or explained by genetic factors and the rest by the environment they grow up in, for example life experiences.
It is not just something that happens with girls but with boys as-well but it is much higher in girls. What researchers think is the fact that society puts pressure on girls to have perfect bodies and there are unrealistic body standards especially when it comes to being thin and tiny (weight and shape).
The way that they suggest this is combated in the way that there should be regulation in social media and what people are allowed to see and the promotion of unrealistic and perfect bodies, no ideal weight when it comes to people and basing things on activities. There is also a lot of peer pressure, bullying and exposure to the supposed ideal body for girls.
This is the story we are hearing more and more about each day about how there are some genetic components as well as how life looks like and see the way that there are changes in how girls and boys can grow up without feeling pressures about their bodies but this will never go away because they see the bodies of others around them such as their parents and friends who have different genetics and experiences.
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