MIĘDZY WIEDZĄ A STEREOTYPEM: SPOŁECZNE I KULTUROWE MECHANIZMY PERCEPCJI ZABURZEŃ ODŻYWIANIA U MŁODZIEŻY I MŁODYCH DOROSŁYCH
BETWEEN KNOWLEDGE AND STEREOTYPE: SOCIAL AND CULTURAL MECHANISMS OF THE PERCEPTION OF EATING DISORDERS AMONG ADOLESCENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS

Summary/Abstract: The aim of this paper was to analyze the social and cultural mechanisms underlying the perception of eating disorders among adolescents and young adults. The study, which is based on a narrative review of the literature that includes 35 publications from 2000 to 2025, addresses stigmatization and self-stigmatization processes, gender, body weight, and ethnic background stereotypes, and the degree of knowledge about eating disorders (mental health literacy, or MHL). The results show that there is still a lack of knowledge on eating disorder issues, especially when it comes to less prevalent disorders, male populations, and ethnic minority groups. Stereotypes and stigmatization make people less likely to ask for assistance, and patients, professionals, and educators all exhibit knowledge gaps. Researchers in this field emphasize the need to expand health education and training addressed to young people and their social environment in order to reduce diagnostic delays and barriers to treatment.

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