Final answer:
Eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia are most prevalent in Western cultures where food is plentiful, largely affecting young White females due to cultural ideals of thinness and media influence.
Step-by-step explanation:
Eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are most prevalent in Western cultures where food is plentiful. Research indicates that White females from Western societies are the most at-risk group, particularly those between the ages of 15 and 19. The cultural idealization of thinness and the prevalence of media messages promoting a thin ideal are considered significant factors contributing to the higher incidence of these disorders in these societies. In addition to social and cultural influences, genetic predispositions also play a role in the risk of developing eating disorders.
Eating disorders are serious mental health disorders that are associated with the highest mortality rates among mental disorders. They generally begin by young adulthood and predominantly affect females more than males. Anorexia nervosa, for example, involves severe restriction of food intake, leading to dangerous weight loss and potential death if untreated.