When a fat phobia turns harmful
Issue date: 1/28/10 Section: Features
By Jade Scott
Staff writer
Editor's note: The student interviewed for this article did not want to be identified. Her name has been concealed.
Jane started off with a normal life. This SMWC student was a tomboy, thought bugs were the coolest, played sports with the boys and never really thought much about her appearance. Her family felt that she needed to be a little more feminine and for her 10th birthday her aunt got her a bathing suit that could help change that.
"I remember thinking that it was the prettiest thing in the whole entire world, and I ran into the bathroom to put it on and show it off to my family," Jane said. But the happiness that she was feeling quickly dissipated. The reaction from her family was not what she was anticipating.
"As I stepped out of the bathroom I remember hearing, 'Maybe she should get rid of a little bit of that tummy before she wears that out'. And that's when I made a decision that would change my life for the next five years." There were likely other factors, but this is the moment that stands out in her memory as the tipping point to her long struggle with anorexia.
What causes anorexia and bulimia?
Some believe that it is the mass media that is to blame for anorexia and bulimia in the younger generations, and maybe some of the blame should be on the media. But most research concludes that peer pressure beginning with puberty is where it begins, when at a younger age trying to fit in is normally the main goal. Dr. Eric Stice stated on selfhelpmagazine.com, "Parents, peers and dating partners may play a somewhat more important role than the mass media because feedback from these sources about body size is more personal."
There are many results of anorexia but the most common are being severely fatigued, dehydration, abdominal pain, and yellowing of the skin. After long periods of time and lack of food, mood swings or complete mood changes are possible. In the most severe cases, death is possible.
Staff writer
Editor's note: The student interviewed for this article did not want to be identified. Her name has been concealed.
Jane started off with a normal life. This SMWC student was a tomboy, thought bugs were the coolest, played sports with the boys and never really thought much about her appearance. Her family felt that she needed to be a little more feminine and for her 10th birthday her aunt got her a bathing suit that could help change that.
"I remember thinking that it was the prettiest thing in the whole entire world, and I ran into the bathroom to put it on and show it off to my family," Jane said. But the happiness that she was feeling quickly dissipated. The reaction from her family was not what she was anticipating.
"As I stepped out of the bathroom I remember hearing, 'Maybe she should get rid of a little bit of that tummy before she wears that out'. And that's when I made a decision that would change my life for the next five years." There were likely other factors, but this is the moment that stands out in her memory as the tipping point to her long struggle with anorexia.
What causes anorexia and bulimia?
Some believe that it is the mass media that is to blame for anorexia and bulimia in the younger generations, and maybe some of the blame should be on the media. But most research concludes that peer pressure beginning with puberty is where it begins, when at a younger age trying to fit in is normally the main goal. Dr. Eric Stice stated on selfhelpmagazine.com, "Parents, peers and dating partners may play a somewhat more important role than the mass media because feedback from these sources about body size is more personal."
There are many results of anorexia but the most common are being severely fatigued, dehydration, abdominal pain, and yellowing of the skin. After long periods of time and lack of food, mood swings or complete mood changes are possible. In the most severe cases, death is possible.
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