Answer to Question 1
Both anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa tend to emerge in adolescence in individuals who are overly concerned about their body and have a history of dieting. Both are more common in females. Anorexia nervosa is a more deadly disorder and is characterized by a persistent refusal to eat and an irrational fear of being overweight. Bulimia nervosa is characterized by alternating periods of binging and purging (which can involve use of laxatives or self-induced vomiting). Risk factors for girls include certain hereditary factors, having low self-esteem, experiencing mood or anxiety disorders, having friends who diet to stay thin, and watching television shows that emphasize slender characters. Risk factors for eating disorders in boys include childhood obesity, low self-esteem, pressure from parents and peers to lose weight, and participating in sports that emphasize being lean.
Answer to Question 2
Although there may appear to be nothing typical about adolescent relationships, the
idea that all parents and adolescents are in conflict, and that parents and peers have
opposing views on what teens should become, is exaggerated. Parents continue to be
important in teenagers' lives. Although peers take on increasing importance, the areas
in which their influence is increasing may not conflict with parental areas. For example,
peers may pressure adolescents to dress in a certain way, whereas teens may be more
likely to defer to parental guidance on issues of beliefs or ideals. Contrary to media
portrayals, the typical adolescent/parent relationship is not one of continuous conflict.