Eating disorders have become a huge problem in society. Just one look at these startling statistics and you will see:
“Experts estimate that one out of every hundred young women has anorexia, while bulimia affects as many as 3 to 4 percent of college-aged women. According to recent studies, approximately 1 percent of women suffer from binge-eating disorder, while an astonishing 30 percent of women who seek help to lose weight exhibit behaviors associated with binge-eating disorder. Eating disorders can have serious physical consequences. Without appropriate medical treatment, up to 20 percent of sufferers will die”(Social Issues).
Because of the large number of college aged women that are effected, I decided to take a look at what sort of programs Howard Community College has in place if any, to assist those who are in need of help.
After searching the college website and turning up with nothing, I decided to call the school. I got in touch with the Wellness Center and was able to have a very informative chat with the woman there. She outlined what the college has in place for assistance and noted the following.
First, every February there is a eating disorder awareness week at the school. The Wellness Center conducts self body image test and other various test that indicate an eating disorder. Second, if they encounter a person they suspect with an eating disorder during the eating disorder awareness week, they refer them to the career and counseling center. If the person decides to go through counseling they receive 8 weeks of free counseling.
My main concern is that there isn’t any efforts throughout the rest of the year to advocate counseling or the services provided. Outside of the awareness week, it is just left up to the individual to wonder into the Wellness Center to inquire of the services provided. There should be more advertisement of the services, so that individuals suffering from eating disorders know where to go to get help.
http://socialissues.wiseto.com/Articles/FO3020640063/
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I do agree that there aren’t enough efforts through the year to provide adequate services for those with eating disorders. There are many girls without full blown eating disorders that have substantial concerns about their weight or looks that could benefit from help. Of course, those with eating disorders would also benefit from programs.
ReplyDeleteI think it is important to talk about the media when you discuss eating disorders. Throughout life, media exposure is a part of socioculural factors that promote the idea of what it means to be beautiful. I took a class called Race, Ethnicity and the Media in college and we talked about the standards of beauty in America. The media still privileges “whiteness” in the form of lighter skin, tall and thin bodies, and European features. Most ads and main characters on shows follow these standards. Sidekicks or bad guys typically don’t follow these standards. By seeing these images day in and day out, we are trained from a young age to believe what is accepted as beautiful. It is a very sad thing and I wish I would change. One of my students came up to me at recess and asked me to photocopy my ID badge because she was making a book of beautiful people. I said she should draw herself, and she replied “But my hair doesn’t shine in the sun like yours and my skin isn’t tan like yours. I want your blonde hair and tan skin”. I was blown away. I didn’t know how to respond appropriately to a five year old. I explained to her that she was beautiful the way she was and looks don’t matter as much as her personality but I think it went right over her head. Too deep of a concept?
But media is not the only outlet to blame for eating disorders and skewed body images. I think that parents (especially moms) greatly influence their kids/adolescents (especially daughters) in feel about themselves. When moms make comments about their own weights, which I am sure a lot of them do, children listen. I fear that parents who are constantly trying to “diet” or are not happy about their body and vocalize it will have a harmful impact on their children. Children will see that it is okay to not accept that their body is the way it is. They will learn that life is about looks and not personality. If there is anything I have learned teaching kindergarten it’s that children pick up on EVERYTHING. We should use this knowledge and change our ways so we set a good example of having positive body images in childhood so children can take this with them through their lives.
I do agree that there aren’t enough efforts through the year to provide adequate services for those with eating disorders. There are many girls without full blown eating disorders that have substantial concerns about their weight or looks that could benefit from help. Of course, those with eating disorders would also benefit from programs.
ReplyDeleteI think it is important to talk about the media when you discuss eating disorders. Throughout life, media exposure is a part of socioculural factors that promote the idea of what it means to be beautiful. I took a class called Race, Ethnicity and the Media in college and we talked about the standards of beauty in America. The media still privileges “whiteness” in the form of lighter skin, tall and thin bodies, and European features. Most ads and main characters on shows follow these standards. Sidekicks or bad guys typically don’t follow these standards. By seeing these images day in and day out, we are trained from a young age to believe what is accepted as beautiful. It is a very sad thing and I wish I would change. One of my students came up to me at recess and asked me to photocopy my ID badge because she was making a book of beautiful people. I said she should draw herself, and she replied “But my hair doesn’t shine in the sun like yours and my skin isn’t tan like yours. I want your blonde hair and tan skin”. I was blown away. I didn’t know how to respond appropriately to a five year old. I explained to her that she was beautiful the way she was and looks don’t matter as much as her personality but I think it went right over her head. Too deep of a concept?
But media is not the only outlet to blame for eating disorders and skewed body images. I think that parents (especially moms) greatly influence their kids/adolescents (especially daughters) in feel about themselves. When moms make comments about their own weights, which I am sure a lot of them do, children listen. I fear that parents who are constantly trying to “diet” or are not happy about their body and vocalize it will have a harmful impact on their children. Children will see that it is okay to not accept that their body is the way it is. They will learn that life is about looks and not personality. If there is anything I have learned teaching kindergarten it’s that children pick up on EVERYTHING. We should use this knowledge and change our ways so we set a good example of having positive body images in childhood so children can take this with them through their lives.
Eating disorder is something that is easy to be avoided,it is a habit that can be easily created or not created by any one,the suggestion is, people who suffer and those who do not suffer from eating habit or disorder should encourage themselves in doing body exercise in order to reduce calories,fats,starch as well as to maintain their healthy,in doing this it even helps to reduce excess eating habit, another good alternative to avoid eating dis order is to try to practice at least any thing that require certain capacity of concentration in doing for instance watching television,playing games, or involve in some sports activities such as soccer,football or basketball games that require to use some energy rather than attending a BBQ buffet
ReplyDeleteI agree that there needs to be more done to create awareness about eating disorders. Some who have eating disorders may not know why they do, or may not know how to get help. I agree with you and Amanda, that one of the biggest steps is to examine what is in our media. When we went through ads in class, I realized all the messages in ads that I had never seen before. It was a real eye opener to me, and I think it would be enlightening to others as well.
ReplyDeleteLike we talked about in class, body image is a theme that starts very early in a child's life, especially little girls. It's frequently all about how cute or pretty they look and what they are wearing. Many parents (mom's) do get way too caught up in it and don't teach the importance of being a good person over how pretty you are. It seems like this trend is starting earlier and earleir as you see very young girls overly concerned with what they are wearing, brand names and wearing makeup.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your suggestion that Howard Community College should have the program placed to asses and help those who have eating disorder. Aside from offering support, the most important thing they can do for a person with an eating disorder is to encourage treatment. The longer an eating disorder remains undiagnosed and untreated, the harder it is on the body and the more difficult to overcome. So I think the assessment should be done more often not only once a year on February. Plus for those who are victims of eating disorder the recovery takes time. There are no quick fixes to cure. So it is very important their loved ones to have patience and compassion. These women need more attention to help them to reach their goal. It is very important to proved hope and encouragement and praises each small step forward, and stay positive through struggles and setbacks.
ReplyDelete"Charity begins at home" is a saying that has a lot of meaning especially in this case. Girls usually look up to their mothers. A mothers responsibility towards her daughter is to instill priciples and values that are important in guiding her to be responsible, confident and have positive attitude and outlook on life.
ReplyDeleteMothers have the power to mould their daughters way of thinking. It takes a lot of effort such as having a close relationship from a young age and potraying a positive attitude towards weight, eating healthy and enjoying physical actvities.
Regardless of what the media says we forget as mothers that we have the power to beat all odds. It takes effort and lots of love to our daughters. (I don't have one.... yet)
I do believe the media is the major contributing factor of most eating disorders. Don't get me wrong, some of these eating disorders are totally psychological disorders that have nothing to do with the media.
ReplyDeleteAwareness should be created to all because eating disorders affect people of all ages majority being young people, especially teenagers.
Awareness should start at home, then in schools and colleges. For those already affected, they need medical interventions. Like I said before, eating disorders are psychological disorders and should be treated like any other disease or illness. Bear in mind eating disorders can lead to death.
I also agree that the media has a part to play in the eating disorders due to the way they portray women.
ReplyDelete