Final+Paper

__ Eating Disorders __  Ellery K-W and Eliot Harrison  Race, Class, and Gender  12/16/10

 In recent years, there has been a staggering rise in eating disorders, due primarily to the modern media and its effects on society. Beginning as early as the late 1800s, people, primarily women, have striven for a perfect body. Queens in England and other royalties would often lower an object into their throat to induce vomiting in order to shed some amount of weight, and some say even the ancient Greeks binged and purged on a daily basis. However, in today’s society, eating disorders are considered a “young white girl’s problem,” when in actuality, all races, genders, and ages are subject to eating disorders and their harmful effects.  Many factors combined can induce an eating disorder. Such factors are based around three broad topics: Biology, psychology, and society. Many experiments and studies have been conducted about the biological element of eating disorders. Genes passed from parents shape the brain in its frontal lobe in a way that desires a perfect body image. This yearning for perfection is unrealistic, yet so important. This combination often leads to an unhealthy eating disorder. Another common biological cause is hormonal abnormalities, something that can cause the limbic system of the brain to develop incorrectly. The limbic system controls behaviors such as eating, moving, expressing emotions, and sleeping.  Psychologically, many elements can influence the desire to have a perfect body. A major cause is in parental behavior -- an overwhelming percentage of children with eating disorders have overweight parents. Pressure to be skinny and healthy can also induce an eating disorder. Physical, emotional, and sexual abuse can lead to depression, another very common factor of eating disorders. Another psychological contributor includes low self-esteem.  Society has the largest influence on eating disorders, most experts believe. The unrealistically skinny, curvy, and toned images of women are menacing, as are buff and muscular images of men.  The media has a huge impact on eating disorders. From early-on children are taught by society that their looks matter. With so many children sitting in front of the television, they tend to see images that tell them to lose weight, and put on some more make-up. You rarely see people on television or in the media that have an “average” body type. This ingrains the image of “perfection” into children's brains at an early age.  The average model weighs up to 25% less than the typical women, and their weights get up to 20-30% lower than what is healthy for their age. As many as 40 percent of models have eating disorders. Modeling agencies oftentimes pursue anorexic models. Most models have plastic surgery, to become perfect, and then they are airbrushed to remove blemishes. They become fake. But the girls and boys that look at the pictures of them believe that it is normal to look like that, and that they should too.  Barbie type dolls have often been blamed for their role in the development of body image problems. They reinforce the belief that material possessions, beauty, and thinness make happiness. At an age where kids want to be like the role models around them, they see barbie, and ken, and they want to be like this. The same psychology applies to older kids who see actresses and models, dancers and gymnasts around them and cannot resist that image of perfection.  In addition to the media, society plays a huge role. Mainly in society the problems arise with lack of education around these issues. Girls and boys don’t have another power in their heads telling them that its ok to look however you look, instead of the rigid media promoting perfection. Society portrays that we should be ashamed of our bodies, unless we are thin and beautiful.  Eating disorders take many forms, most of which are aiming to lose weight such as Bulimia Nervosa and Anorexia Nervosa (the minority of eating disorders are when people eat too much food, creating obesity).  Bulimia is the most common eating disorder -- 1 to 2 percent of all young women show its symptoms. Individuals with this condition binge and purge. Binging means eating unhealthy large amounts (up to 20,000 calories) of comforting foods such as cake, pastries, ice cream, and other junk foods. Having consumed too many calories, individuals purge, meaning they induce vomiting or bowel movement. Some binge as many times as 11 per week, while others starve for extended periods of time before binging again. This abuse of laxatives and induced vomiting can lead to tooth decay, poor concentration, constant sore throat, muscle weakness, fertility problems, and much more. Victims of Bulimia are primarily women -- 85 to 90 percent are females between the ages of 15 and 20. In the rare cases that men have the condition, they tend not to purge. Rather, they binge and exercise dangerously often and extensively.  The other main eating disorder is Anorexia Nervosa. “An” means a lack, and “orexia” means appetite. Anorexia, like Bulimia, mostly affects young women. Individuals with anorexia simply never eat. Like people with Bulimia, Anorexics see themselves as overweight, even though they’re dangerously skinny. The average age of onset is 17, but girls as young as 9 have shown the symptoms of Anorexia. Studies have shown that 1 to 5 percent of all females are or have been anorexic. Many people have died due to their unhealthily small weight, including the famous singer Karen Carpenter.  The astonishing difference between men and women with eating disorders is mostly due to how their according gender is portrayed in the media. Men are given three images of appeal: wiry like Mick Jagger, thin like David Beckham, and muscular like Arnold Schwarzenegger. On the other hand, women see one: skinny. Men are much more likely to exercise a lot rather than purge or starve -- their desire for attractiveness is based mostly on athleticism. This is why the large majority of male victims of eating disorders are involved in wrestling, a sport that has weight classes and fully-body exposure. Statistics have shown that eating disorders are more prevalent in homosexual or transgender men than in heterosexual men, but researchers have not yet found the cause for this correlation. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> There are many methods to cure eating disorders, each designed specifically for the corresponding type of eating disorder. Group support is a method in which patients go to a group of others with eating disorders, and talk with a psychologist or therapist. This treatment is preferred oftentimes, because people are able to find strength in numbers -- all the other people want to turn their life around, too. Individual therapy works well, too, a method in which an individual meets with a psychologist or therapist to discuss their emotional problems driving them to have an eating disorder. Many people find help with nutritionists and dietitians. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The main thing to stop eating disorders is not to focus on the food, but rather the emotional pain that drove them to the eating disorder. Once this has been relieved the patient will eat again, without being forced. When they are forced the emotional pain becomes even greater, strengthening the eating disorder. Most people say that the main things they want are love, communication, for someone to listen, validation, and healthy relationships. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The media plays a large role, but even if its factors were eliminated, many eating disorders would still occur. society needs to do things in the community, like raising awareness and covering up mirrors so people don’t only think about their body image. So many cases of eating diorders are masked due to the fact that some individuals appear normal to thin -- one couldn't tell by their appearance that they may be suffering from an eating disorder. Raising awareness through talking to children at a young age and inspiring confidence and showing its harmful effects blatantly in the media are a few of many ways to prevent and stop eating disorders.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Statistics

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> An estimated 8 million American citizens suffer from an eating disorder. Of that, less that 1 million are men.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> 1 in 200 women suffer from Anorexia

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> 2 to 3 women in 100 suffer from Bulimia

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> 20% of all people with an eating disorder (particularly Anorexia) will die prematurely due to health complications caused by their eating disorder

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Only 1 out of 10 people with an eating disorder actually receive treatment

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> 90% of all individuals with an eating disorder are between the ages of 12 and 25

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> 80% of 13 year olds have attempted to lose weight because they think they're overweight

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> More people die of eating disorders than any other psychological problem

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> 85 to 90% of Bulimics are teenage girls

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Bingeing can mean consuming up to 20,000 calories at a time

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Bulimics can binge as many times as 11 times per week

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The average age of Anorexia onset is 17

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> 64% of Bulimics appear to have a healthy, normal weight

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Men on a wrestling team are 7 to 10 times more likely to have an eating disorder than men not involved in wrestling

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Left untreated, 20% of Bulimia cases are fatal

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Hospitalizations of children under the age of 12 due to eating disorders has risen 119% since 1999

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Of all cases of any eating disorder, only 5 to 10% are men <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Works Cited

1) Harvard Medical School. "Bulimia Nervosa." InteliHealth. Aetna. Web. 07 Dec. 2010. < <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-color: initial; background-position: 100% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat; padding-right: 10px;">[] >.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal;"> 2) Kantrowitz, Barbara, and Pat Wingert. "Do Women Hate Their Bodies More Than Men Do?"Newsweek - National News, World News, Business, Health, Technology, Entertainment, and More - Newsweek. 25 Apr. 2010. Web. 07 Dec. 2010. < <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-color: initial; background-position: 100% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat; padding-right: 10px;">[] >.  <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal;"> 3)"U.S. Child, Teen Eating Disorders Increase - UPI.com." Latest News, Latest News Headlines, News Articles, News Video, News Photos - UPI.com. 30 Nov. 2010. Web. 07 Dec. 2010. < <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-color: initial; background-position: 100% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat; padding-right: 10px;">[] >.    <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal;"> 4) Tartakovsky, M.S. Margarita. "Eating Disorders in Men." Psych Central - Trusted Mental Health, Depression, Bipolar, ADHD and Psychology Information. Web. 07 Dec. 2010. < <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-color: initial; background-position: 100% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat; padding-right: 10px;">[] >.  <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal;"> 5) "Amy Sato: Eating Disorders." Telephone interview. 12 Dec. 2010.