The Truth Behind Eating Disorders

As eating disorders become more prevalent in today's society, we have to look at the root of this issue.

For many teenagers, standing on the scale is a nightmare. Whether it comes from cultural norms, social media, or health concerns, gaining weight is always a fear for growing kids. An irrational fear of eating and an overwhelming obsession with the number on the scale took over the mind of my best friend (I’ll call her Kelly), and I watched her deteriorate. First it was losing 10 pounds over the course of a few months and feeling successful and healthy. Soon it turned into eating less than 300 calories a day, passing out in the shower, and losing 10 pounds in 3 days.

Eating disorders are like wildfires—the unhealthy mindset that food is fat and not fuel acts as the spark, igniting the flame. To add compliments and attention is like adding a whipping wind, spreading this raging flame. When people lose weight, they are praised and seen as a success story, regardless of how they did it. Eating disorders aren’t recognized until they get to the point where someone is visibly frail because people who don’t look like they need help don’t get it.

From the image above, it is evident that the majority of eating disorders occur in developing adolescents

← Here are the statistics behind diagnosed eating disorders in both men and women.

Unfortunately, the graphic also shows that less than 50% of people with eating disorders get the treatment they need. Why is this? Well, besides the societal expectations, there are cultural beliefs that trigger these disorders in young people.

Benjamin J. Calebs from the Eating Anxiety Laboratory and Clinic conducted research demonstrating that “ethnic minority groups in the United States are less likely than European Americans to seek treatment for eating disorders” because of the traditional view that eating disorders stem from the Western ideal of thinness and therefore only European Americans suffer from these disorders.

Additionally, different cultures have different motivations behind attaining eating disorders. For example, “body dissatisfaction is largely motivated by the thin-ideal in American culture, while body dissatisfaction may be driven more by a desire for delayed maturation in Japanese culture,” and in Chinese culture, “fear of fatness may play a role in body dissatisfaction similar to American culture” (Calebs).

These cultural beliefs and interpretations could cause issues for pediatricians, because patients and parents/guardians may reject the fact that the patient is suffering with an eating disorder, replacing the facts with fallacies such as these identified by Golisano Children’s Hospital:

• Eating disorders are a choice, or lifestyle

• Eating disorders are a matter of vanity or a way to get attention

• People at a normal body weight cannot have an eating disorder

As a future pediatrician, I would present these patients with examples of cases that exist within their own community, so that they can no longer give merit to their rigid traditional mindsets or myths. I will also make sure I don’t rule out eating disorders in teenagers and keep an open dialogue about food and the importance of a proper diet.

If you or someone you know is struggling with their relationship to food, please reach out to any trusted advisor, or call an anonymous hotline. With the increased awareness of eating disorders, there are so many resources to help. I’ve listed a few for you here:

• Eating Disorder Helpline + Resources

  • (800) - 931- 2237: Call, Text, or visit website linked above for resources

• National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders

  • (888) 375-7767: If you think anyone, including yourself, has an eating disorder, or if you need encouragement, treatment referrals, and information

• Overeaters Anonymous

  • (505) 891-2664: If you want to find an in person or online meeting where you can find consolation in talking to other people struggling

  • ** not just for people concerned with overeating; also help for those struggling with any other eating disorder

• CRISIS Text Line

  • Text “HOME” to 741741

  • Available 24/7, 365 days a year

Till next time,

Nancy

Works Cited:

“Myths About Eating Disorders.” Myths About Eating Disorders - Eating Disorder Program - Adolescent Medicine - Golisano Children's Hospital - University of Rochester Medical Center, Golisano Children's Hospital , www.urmc.rochester.edu/childrens-hospital/adolescent/eating-disorders/myths.aspx.

Calebs, Benjamin J. “Culture & Eating Disorders.” EAT LAB, EAT Lab, 2 Mar. 2017, www.louisvilleeatlab.com/blog--in-the-press/culture-eating-disorders.

** cover art by Cameron Chan, Lowell High School: https://thelowell.org/8597/uncategorized/a-glimpse-into-eating-disorders-at-lowell/