Neuroimaging studies to measure response to facial recognition have shown activity predominately in the left hemisphere in the left lateral prefrontal cortex, lateral temporal lobe and left parietal lobe showing hemispheric imbalance in information processing. There is a reported case of the development of BDD in a 21-year-old male following an inflammatory brain process. Neuroimaging showed the presence of a new atrophy in the frontotemporal region. Prevention
Prevention aims to promote a healthy development before the occurrence of eating disorders. It also intends early identification of an eating disorder before it is too late to treat. Children as young as ages 5–7 are aware of the cultural messages regarding body image and dieting. Prevention comes in bringing these issues to the light. The following topics can be discussed with young children (as well as teens and young adults). Emotional Bites: a simple way to discuss emotional eating is to ask children about why they might eat besides being hungry. Talk about more effective ways to cope with emotions, emphasizing the value of sharing feelings with a trusted adult. Say No to Teasing: another concept is to emphasize that it is wrong to say hurtful things about other peoples body sizes. Body Talk: emphasize the importance of listening to ones body. That is, eating when you are hungry (not starving) and stopping when you are satisfied (not stuffed). Children intuitively grasp these concepts. Fitness Comes in All Sizes: educate children about the genetics of body size and the normal changes occurring in the body.
For example, restriction is used to pre-empt any emotion activation, while bingeing–vomiting is used after an emotion has been activated. Parental influence
Parental influence has been shown to be an intrinsic component in the development of eating behaviors of children. This influence is manifested and shaped by a variety of diverse factors such as familial genetic predisposition, dietary choices as dictated by cultural or ethnic preferences, the parents own body shape and eating patterns, the degree of involvement and expectations of their childrens eating behavior as well as the interpersonal relationship of parent and child. This is in addition to the general psychosocial climate of the home and the presence or absence of a nurturing stable environment. It has been shown that maladaptive parental behavior has an important role in the development of eating disorders. As to the more subtle aspects of parental influence, it has been shown that eating patterns are established in early childhood and that children should be allowed to decide when their appetite is satisfied as early as the age of two. A direct link has been shown between obesity and parental pressure to eat more.Coercive tactics in regard to diet have not been proven to be efficacious in controlling a childs eating behavior. Affection and attention have been shown to affect the degree of a childs finickiness and their acceptance of a more varied diet.Adams and Crane (1980), have shown that parents are influenced by stereotypes that influence their perception of their childs body.