To Eat Or Not To Eat, That Is The Question
“If I could have an eating disorder, I would. But I can’t not eat, so anorexia is out. And I’m terrified of throwing up, so bulimia is out.” Was said by Mila Snow, yes, that was said by me. I had been talking to some friends about getting fit and thin for summer. Everyone just went along with it, no one questioned it. That is our society today that we can joke about a serious disorder. “1 to 2 of 100 Americans has an eating disorder.” (www.kidshealth.org/teen) Eating disorders are everywhere now: on the news, talk shows, and in magazines. The media is say that every size is beautiful, then turning around and rubbing size zero models in our faces. “Most kids develop eating disorders between eleven and fourteen, but some start as young as eight. (www.kidshealth.org/teen) The growing rate of teenage eating disorders are closely related to the societal pressures given through the media, low self-esteem and family influences. The need to be perfect is becoming even more dangerous wish of many young girls.
Many people are confused on what an eating disorder is. It’s not just that you don’t eat to lose weight, it is a whole spider web of mental and physical problems. The true definition is “any range of psychological disorders characterized by abnormal or disturbed eating habits.” (www.allianceforeatingdisorders.com) The media is on the top of the list to blame for eating disorders. The advertisements are always depicting skinny, healthy and vibrant people using their products or eating their food. This is showing that if you use this certain product or eat that certain food, then you will be set for life. For example, the people in commercials for McDonalds are thin and fit, eating delicious looking food. The comedian, Jim Gaffigan, once said “What if they showed the person ten minutes after eating their food. No one would want to eat it.” Imagine that, and then McDonalds would probably lose a lot of profits, but them they would be telling the truth. It’s not just the food that is being advertising, but also clothing. Every year, Victoria Secret has a fashion show, all those girls are stick-thin and that’s what is considered “beautiful” or “pretty.” The diet and work-outs for those girls to keep that body. In magazines, they always have a celebrity on the cover, and there is an article commenting on some actress weight or how she looked in a dress. Just look at Kim Kardashian, one magazine said that she looked like Shamu the Whale just because she has had a stressful time and is over two hundred pounds. The must be a saying that is the skinnier the better. All in all, the media is one of the factors for the increase in eating disorders. It’s not just the media that is behind the eating disorders, but also the persons mindset. It’s the self-esteem and the confidence in this person. Many girls who start eating disorders are very insecure about themselves. It is a psychological issue that is some self-confidence, but the girls (and boys) who have eating disorders have a very low self-esteem. People with eating disorders tend to have “depression, anxiety, anger and loneliness.” (www.pbs.org/perfectillusions) It’s put into their minds that they aren’t beautiful. “If the person was constantly teased or made fun of growing up, then they might be inclined to turn to/away from food as a coping mechanism.” (www.allianceforeatingdisorders.com) One of the signs of eating disorders is that the person has some feelings of inadequacy and lack of control in their lives. They believe that eating disorder is the only thing they can control. Many suffers have difficulty expressing their emotions; happy or sad. They don’t fully feel anything, but the need to control anything that they eat. These disorders work along with “other mental health issues such as ;depression, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, anxiety and Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome.” (www.allianceforeatingdisorders.com) It’s also extremely hard for them to deal openly with |
It’s not just the media that is behind the eating disorders, but also the persons mindset. It’s the self-esteem and the confidence in this person. Many girls who start eating disorders are very insecure about themselves. It is a psychological issue that is some self-confidence, but the girls (and boys) who have eating disorders have a very low self-esteem. People with eating disorders tend to have “depression, anxiety, anger and loneliness.” (www.pbs.org/perfectillusions) It’s put into their minds that they aren’t beautiful. “If the person was constantly teased or made fun of growing up, then they might be inclined to turn to/away from food as a coping mechanism.” (www.allianceforeatingdisorders.com) One of the signs of eating disorders is that the person has some feelings of inadequacy and lack of control in their lives. They believe that eating disorder is the only thing they can control. Many suffers have difficulty expressing their emotions; happy or sad. They don’t fully feel anything, but the need to control anything that they eat. These disorders work along with “other mental health issues such as ;depression, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, anxiety and Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome.” (www.allianceforeatingdisorders.com) It’s also extremely hard for them to deal openly with problem emotions. They bottle up their
emotions until they all just burst forth. In the end, there is an emotional
side to go along with the physical side of eating disorders. Eating disorders can be influenced not just by themselves, but also by the family or childhood traumas. When the child is growing up, the parents have influence on the eating habits of the child. “If a mother/father is constantly; dieting, exercising and/or commenting on weight issues, the child might copy the parents.” (www.allianceforeatingdisorders.com) Many kids will copy anyone who is older, or even mentoring them; an older sibling, aunt, cousin, grandparent. Some teens just receive some very weight surrounded comments. Even the slightest comment about the size of your clothes or how much food that’s on their plates. That comment could of just pushed that person over the brink. Also, if they have a history of abuse, or some form of physical or sexual abuse. Some teens use food to “protect them, repress, block or numb their feelings.” (www.allianceforeatingdisorders.com) Any sexual abuse has lasting affects on the child. Many of the teens, girls mainly, have a history of being mocked on size, weight and appearance. These teenagers feel utterly worthless, and starving/purging themselves is the only way they feel in control and happy.
In conclusion, the increase of teen eating disorders are being blamed on the media, family issues and low self-esteem. Some ways to stop teenagers from doing this is to tell them that they are beautiful, and to tell them to be accepting of themselves and of each other. Finally love yourself the way you are. |