Between the ages of 11 and 14, boys and girls undergo pivotal physiological changes meant to gradually transition them from childhood to adulthood. Sexual characteristics emerge that define what it means to appear as a male or female while hormones prepare the body for reproduction, specifically, menstruation in girls and sperm production in boys. In addition, the adolescent brain goes through a series of modifications involving the prefrontal cortex and the corpus callosum.

The rapid growth of the prefrontal cortex, which controls working memory, planning and mood allows teenagers to develop better reasoning skills and impulse control as they mature. Researchers believe the corpus callosum is implicated in the question of "nature or nurture" (i.e. characteristics and traits influenced by genetics or a person's environment). It is during this critical period of physical and mental development that body image in adolescence may become problematic in vulnerable teenagers.

Teen Body Image, Self-Esteem and Eating Disorders

These developments can contribute to negative body image in adolescence and potentially, the development of an eating disorder. Body image beliefs, influenced by society and the media, can be associated with how teenagers perceive and feel about the effect of changes to their bodies. In one study, Ricciardelli and McCabe (2003) discovered that younger adolescent girls are more likely to focus on dieting to stay thin, while teenage boys tend to want "muscles" but have less negative feelings about their appearance overall. Psychologists believe this difference in body image perception is consistent with culturally determined stereotypes of male and female images perpetuated by the media.

Inherently connected to thoughts about body image, self-esteem is defined by the Oxford Handbook of Positive Psychology (2009) as "encompassing beliefs about the self, beliefs such as "I am worthy" and "I am competent" and emotional states such as pride, shame, despair and triumph." Consequently, it is no surprise that a strong correlation between self-esteem and body image in adolescence can be a contributing factor in the development of eating disorders in teens. Additionally, body image and self-esteem issues experienced by adolescents could be attributed to remarks made by friends and family members. A single off-handed statement (i.e. "Your pants are too tight" or "Are you going to eat ALL that?" is enough to make a sensitive teen become obsessed about his or her body shape or size.

Signs of Body Image Disorder in Adolescents

Teenagers with a poor body image may obsessively scrutinize themselves in mirrors, negatively compare their appearance to others, act withdrawn and depressed or wear excessive amounts of cosmetics and/or jewelry. Unless addressed in its early stages, body image disorder (also called body dysmorphic disorder) can culminate in the onset of an eating disorder, such as binge eating or anorexia nervosa.

Importance of Professional Treatment for Body Image and Eating Disorders

Eating disorders represent a significant mortality rate in the teen population compared to other psychiatric conditions, particularly due to self-harming behaviors and suicidal ideation. Additionally, as in the case of bulimia nervosa, if teenagers begin purging to eliminate stomach contents, this type of forced, repetitive vomiting can put excess strain on the larynx and esophagus. Rupturing, tearing and bleeding of the esophagus is possible if purging becomes obsessive. Physical complications seen in teens with any form of eating disorder can include heart problems, gastrointestinal disturbances, amenorrhea in girls, teeth and gum diseases, decreased bone density and severe electrolyte imbalances.