Today when browsing through the New York Times, I came across a newly published article about anorexia—a disorder that associates individuals with starving themselves to achieve ultimate thinness. According to SADD, 1% of young women ages 10-20 suffers from anorexia. This means that one out of every 100 girls we see is slowly starving herself to death. The New York Times reported that currently, there is no effective recovery program for anorexia nervosa. Recovery rates take between 5-6 years, and only 23-50% of girls recover. Of those girls, 4-27% will suffer relapses, and 30% will never recover.
Girls striving for this devastatingly unattainable portrayal of body image will not only suffer anxiety and depression, but they will have dangerous heart rhythms, their blood flow and blood pressure will be reduced, and cholesterol levels will rise. The hormones in their bodies will not be produced in a fashion that will supply the heart and bones with the minerals they need, which leads to osteoporosis in 40% of anorexia sufferers. Bloating, disordered thinking, and seizures will also be a part of their lives. Is all of this really worth looking like a lady on the front of a magazine cover? Will the “beauty secret” of starving yourself really bring you all of the joy and satisfaction one craves in life? The answer is an overwhelming and astounding NO! More action should be taken to prevent anorexic tendencies in women, and to teach that killing the body does not attain beauty.
For more information, visit the website for National Eating Disorders Association
I get so sad when I think about girls with eating disorders. This is one issue I want to address when I work in the professional field of public health. I want women and girls to know that Heavenly Father loves them. I really believe that simple fact can carry you a long way :)
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