Most of these symptoms are cured when the addicted gets to exercise, but to much exercise is bad for anyone's health. And with teens, exercise is culturally acceptable, even admired, yet exercise addiction is very rare.
B. The Persons and/or Groups Involved: .
The problem can arise in anyone's normal everyday exercise routine, but more so in teens, because they are in a body conscious culture. Image is everything to a teen. If you look through teen magazines you will see these perfect bodies; a perfect image. Same with television, for example, MTV is filled with perfect bodies. This is an American culture image that many teens believe. A belief that if you look a certain way, you are granted popularity and social acceptance or may even do better in school and have a better relationship with teachers, coaches, and peers. This "ideal" culture can put a lot of stress on teens that feel this way. Moreover, these devoted teenagers turn to exercise to achieve this "ideal" look that is so important in American Society, but before the 1800s, people did not need structured exercise. People would just plow land, build roads, buildings, or the like. This was difficult work and provided a person with all the exercise they might need and there was no reason for weight equipment or to run five miles before school. It didn't change until people started moving into cities and structured exercise grew and became important.
This American culture does not apply to less developed countries who do not have all the "hype" as America does. Take Africa for example. You won't see teenagers lifting weights or striving for that "perfect" body, because they are not exposed to it and it is not socially important in there society in the 21st century. Therefore, addiction to exercise is not present and is the same in similar countries.
.
When a teen becomes addicted, parents get involved, because, they care and love their child.