Essay topic: Eating Disorders
I’m Proud To Be ANA
“Ana must be the center of your life.” (“Thin Intentions”) These disturbing words are a reminder of an all too common problem that’s been growing in the United States. Eating disorders are silent, easily hidden, and are seen as being less dangerous than disorders such as alcohol abuse. In today’s society, beauty standards are causing more and more people to develop them; the internet is helping these “trends” grow and they must be stopped.
In the United States, 20 million women and 10 million men suffer from a clinically significant eating disorder at some point in their life. There are three main types of eating disorders. Anorexia Nervosa is most likely the disorder that likely pops into your mind when you hear the words “eating disorder”. It is a life threatening disorder characterized by self starvation and effective weight loss. Sufferers can be pathologically thin, yet still obsessed with weight loss. Many are borderline phobic of weight gain and dissatisfied with own body image. Approximately 90-95 anorexia sufferers are female, but males are also affected. This disorder has one of the highest death rates of all mental conditions, ranging from 5 and 20%. Bulimia Nervosa is less common than Anorexia, but it is just as hazardous. This precarious disorder is characterized by a cycle of binge eating followed behaviors such as self induced vomiting to undo the effects of the binge eating. Many bulimia sufferers are of healthy weight, yet still obsessed with weight loss. More bulimia sufferers female 80%, however this disorder affects more males than anorexia. The final and most disregarded eating disorder is known as binge eating disorder. Binge eating disorder is characterized by recurrent episodes of eating large quantities of food. The food is eaten so quickly that it usually causes the sufferer discomfort, or even pain. This disorder is as dangerous, if not more so than Anorexia and Bulimia because it is overlooked. The sufferers are often looked upon with disdain and seen as “lazy” and “fat”. Many people believe that binge eating disorder is simply a person who is too spineless and slothful to stop eating. This lack of attention causes sufferers to become unable to find proper help for their disorder; it can even disparage their attempts and turn them away from finding help. This disorder affects approximately 60% female and 40% male. In the 21st century the rise of the internet can be seen as a double edged sword; especially when it comes to eating disorders.
The internet is a place to share information. Whether that be about one’s personal life, DIY projects, or even recipes. So, naturally, there is information on eating disorders. Websites such as “www.nationaleatingdisorders.org” exist to inform citizens about eating disorders, how to recognize them, and how to treat them. There are quite a few helpful websites like this that defend people against these disorders. Unfortunately, there is a dark side: for every eating disorder help page, there is a website that encourages them. The concerning trend of creating websites that idolize these dangerous disorders started around 2006 and with the flourish of the internet, the websites have grown as well. The sites are often referred to as “pro ana” websites. On them are alarming and unhealthy messages that promote and even persuade readers to develop disorders. These messages range from seemingly innocent: “Keep good posture, it burns 10% more calories throughout the day.” (“Thin Intentions”) to the disturbing “Wear a rubber band around your wrist and snap it when you’re hungry. Food = Pain.” (“Thin Intentions”) These websites are much easier to find than an unsuspecting parent or teen would think. Typing the simple “pro ana” into any search engine will bring up hundreds of these dangerous websites. Proof of how these websites are hurting people’s lives are riddled all over the pages in the form of comments. On a pro ana blog an anonymous viewer posted, “You don’t know what it’s like being anorexic and bulimic. I stumbled across a blog like this 4 years ago and was disgusted with the content. I have been anorexic for 24 years now. Ana and mia are destroying my life. Please stop this insanity.” This post was met with a myriad of “Jealousy won’t get you anywhere.”, “I’m proud to be ana.”, and “I need to do this.” Reading through the comments of these websites prove just how many people have eating disorders, and how many are slowly developing them. Fortunately, the internet isn’t just spreading eating disorder support. It’s also fighting back against them.
The article “Overcoming an Eating Disorder With Instagram” is just what it sounds like. It discusses a 20 year old student named Hayley Kremer used her Instagram account to recover from her eating disorder. She points out that just because there are “pro ana” websites on the internet, there are also recovery ones that can inspire and help those with eating disorders overcome them. Since 2012, her account has amassed over a staggering 18,000 followers. Her posts have comments like “You’ve inspired me to start recovery from anorexia” and “Thank you so much for posting these! You help me stay strong in my fight against Anorexia!” This goes to show that the internet providing a place where eating disorder sufferers can band together and recover. Hopefully, more and more teens will be able to follow their peer’s examples and fight back against these disorders.
Though the fight against eating disorders will never be over, you can help. Visit the NEDA (National Eating Disorder Association) for more information on the various types of eating disorders and their symptoms. Inform others (friends and family) about the symptoms of eating disorders and how to recognize them. Most importantly, promote healthy body image and positive thinking. Compliment someone who looks like they’re having a bad day; tell someone that you like their clothes. By boosting other’s self confidence, you could be ending an eating disorder.
Work Cited
"Binge-eating Disorder." Symptoms. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Oct. 2015.
"BULIMIA NERVOSA." Bulimia Nervosa. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Oct. 2015.
"Eating Disorder Treatment and Recovery." : Tips and Strategies for Overcoming Anorexia and Bulimia. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Oct. 2015.
"Eating Disorders." Health.usnews.com. US News, 28 Dec. 2010. Web. 18 Oct. 2015.
Mirhashem, Molly. "Overcoming an Eating Disorder With Instagram." The Atlantic. Atlantic Media Company, 01 Apr. 2015. Web. 18 Oct. 2015.
"Prevalence vs. Funding." Get The Facts On Eating Disorders. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Oct. 2015.
"Thin Intentions." : Pro Ana Tips. N.p., 2010. Web. 18 Oct. 2015.
"Types & Symptoms of Eating Disorders | National Eating Disorders Association." Types & Symptoms of Eating Disorders | National Eating Disorders Association. NEDA, n.d. Web. 18 Oct. 2015.
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