Final answer:
The false statement about eating disorders is that their prevalence in the U.S. has declined in the last 30 years. Eating disorders persist as serious mental health issues, more common among females and influenced by cultural ideals of thinness.Thus, the correct answer is option D.
Step-by-step explanation:
The false statement about the prevalence of eating disorders is: D. In the last 30 years, the number of diagnosed cases of eating disorders in the United States has declined. In reality, eating disorders are recognized as critical mental health issues and are generally associated with high mortality. They begin typically by young adulthood and are more common in females. The prevalence of eating disorders is particularly high among White females in Western societies, influenced by cultural norms and media portrayal of thinness as ideal.
Furthermore, eating disorders are not limited to Western developed countries, although they are more common there, and they are on the rise in various parts of the world. Factors contributing to this include societal pressures, idealization of certain body types, and possibly genetic predispositions. While eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa often lead to being underweight, binge eating disorder can be associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes. Thus, eating disorders encompass a range of conditions with diverse effects on health and wellbeing.