- Everyday you're bombarded with media images: online, in magazines, on t.v., billboards... Everywhere. Ads tell you what to buy, where to shop, and how to be happier, thinner, sexier, etc. But while models and celebrities are seen in our society as 'the ideal,' in reality, they're far from it. Over time, the women you see in print and on film have grown steadily thinner as the average woman's size has increased. These images can be a blow to anybody, but they are especially detrimental to teenagers, who are generally subject to poor self esteem anyway. And while it's easy to fall into the cycle of "I-need-to-be-more-this-or-that," not only is this way of thinking bad for your psychological well-being, it can lead to more serious, physical issues.
- Among middle and high school girls, 3-13% suffer from atypical eating disorders (translates to: not serious, but still acknowledged as a disorder). .25%-1% suffer from anorexia nervosa, and a significantly larger 1-3% from bulimia nervosa. No doubt you've heard of these conditions before, whether it was at school, in a magazine, or from your friends. However, people are rarely told the straight facts about these disorders: why they happen, how they're done, and the health risks, as well as how to get help. Read on, and ye shall know the truth.
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Many high school and college students suffer from eating disorders, the most common of the extremes being anorexia and bulimia. Anorexia nervosa is defined as a refusal to maintain body weight at or above a minimally normal weight for age and height, an intense fear of gaining weight, even when underweight, a skewed idea of actual body image, and refusal to accept seriousness of current low body weight. In short, an unhealthy, low body weight, fear of being fat, preoccupation with their body image, and denial about it all. Bulimia, which is sometimes thought to be the same condition as anorexia, is basically repeated episodes of binging (eating large amounts of food in one sitting) and purging (ridding the body of it, either by self-induced vomiting or laxitives). Anorexics will sometimes purge themselves too, but there's not a whole lot to come up. Patients of both disorders often surround their eating habits with secrecy, fear gaining weight, and develop obsessions with weight and dieting.
- The causes of eating disorders are varied. As stated earlier in this article, the media has a huge influence on people, especially women (who make up 90% of anorexics and 80% of bulemics). Even mannequins add to the accepted "ideal," with their waists being 6 inches smaller than that of the average woman (also saying something about the fashion industry). Eating disorders are believed to be mainly psychologically based, and can stem from childhood experiences and family influences as well as social pressure.
- Recently, sites supporting anorexia (called Pro-Ana sites) have been cropping up all over the internet. They say that it's your own right to refuse to eat, and that anorexia is an art form. These sites have pages full of celebrities and their heights, weights and fat percentages, and encourages readers to compare themselves to these unhealthily thin women. Many Pro-Ana sites also offer techniques, such as how to hide your disorder from parents and friends, and how to get through the day with the minimal amount of food. Some go as far as to say that being thin is worth dying for. What they may not realize is that death is a very real possibilty.
- Dehydration and loss of potassium and sodium from an imbalanced diet leads to electrolyte imbalances, which in turn cause irregular heartbeats. Osteoporosis (reduction of bone density, resulting in dry, brittle bones), pancreatitis, fainting, fatigue, and hair loss are all risks of depriving yourself of the things your body needs; namely, food. Also, purging by vomiting causes inflammation and rupture of the esophagus, tooth decay and stains from stomach acids, ulcers and lung irritation. Using laxitives results in chronic irregular bowel movements and constipation. Once starvation begins, downey hair called ianugo will grow everywhere (face included) to keep the body warm, and circulation will decrease. In the most severe cases, since there is no food to provide energy for the body, it will start to 'eat away' at it's own muscles. About 5% of untreated anorexics die within four years, and 20% die within 20 years. The risk goes up with the number of years you suffer.
- Now comes the tough part. If you or someone you know have an eating disorder, you need help. It's a clinical disorder, and it is very harmful. Some warning signs to be aware of are:
- Dramatic weight loss
- Preoccupation with food, weight, dieting, calories, etc.
- Frequent comments about feeling fat or overweight despite actual size
- Consistent excuses to avoid mealtimes
- Evidence of binge eating (disappearance of large amounts of food in a short time, frequent trips to the bathroom after meals)
- Excessive, rigid excercise regimen
- If you notice any of these warning signs in a friend, talk to them about their eating and excercise habits. They may have a disorder of some kind. If your friend insists that they're fine, or denies any of these habits, but you still feel that there's cause for concern, tell someone who can help you, such as a parent, a counselor at school, or a mutual friend. After medical help and counseling, recovery is up to the patient. It starts with the willingness to admit there's a problem. After that, there has to be willingness to give up misuse of food, and a commitment to maintain weight and avoid further weight loss. Doctors and counselors can help a patient get back on track, along with the support of friends and family, but the choice to recover is up to the patient. And even after a recovery, the anorexic or bulemic must be watched for up to years afterward to avoid a relapse. But recovery is possible, so once again I urge: If you or a friend is struggling with an eating disorder, get help. You're hurting yourself, as well as the people around you.
Resources
Something Fishy
Anorexia Nervosa: A Hunger for Meaning Karen Way
Bulimia: A Guide to Recovery Lindsey Hall
Full Lives: Women Who Have Freed Themselves from Obsession with Food and Weight Lindsey Hall
The Golden Cage: The Enigma of Anorexia Nervosa Hilde Bruch
Making Peace with Food Susan Kano
Wasted: A Memoir of Anorexia and Bulimia Marya Hornbacher
-Jools
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