A Friend in Need

Many teens have friends that have an eating disorder but don't know what to do. The thought of hurting their friend's feelings is too much to bear sometimes so teens often don't say anything to them at all. Also, teens do not know their friend has an eating disorder. Some signs that someone may have an eating disorder are needing to exercise constantly, avoiding eating with friends and others, talking about their weight and food, always going to the bathroom especially after meals, or becoming defensive or sensitive when talking about his or her weight loss or eating habits. In order to help a friend in need one must be supportive and listen to what their friend has to say instead of ignoring the issue or degrading them. Also, one must focus on the inner qualites that makes the friend unique or special such as a nice personality or beautiful eyes. Lastly, do not try to fix the problem, the friend may need to see a support group or therapist to cure their eating disorder but they need assurance that nothing is wrong or embarrassing about having help. Please do not ignore a problem a friend may have because you may just save their life!

There is hope!

Young girls and teens who suffer from anorexia believe their situation is hopeless.  There is hope.  There is Project HEAL.  Project HEAL was co-founded in 2008 by two teenage girls who met while they were being treated for anorexia.  Many insurance companies do not cover treatment for eating disorders.  The teens saw the need and founded Project HEAL to help those who could not afford treatment.  The scary trend with anorexia is that the average age for the start of this disease is now ages 9-12.  The co-founders of Project HEAL, Liana and Kristina, were 12 and 10 years old, respectively, when they were diagnosed.  Liana and Kristina are now college students and they serve as mentors and role models for young girls and teens who are suffering with anorexia.  You can visit their website at http://theprojectheal.org/.

“We want to diminish society’s obsession with body image by encouraging girls (and all people!) to accept their bodies. People do not have to love everything about their bodies, but it is important that they learn to embrace their perceived flaws and ‘imperfections.’ We hope that by providing encouragement and support we can help those struggling with body image issues from developing full-blown eating disorders.” ~ Kristina and Liana

Models:From Runways to Scales

The pressure to be thin is felt strongly in the model agencies. The top model agencies are pressuring their models to lose weight fast or they will be fired. The only choice these girls have to succeed in this type of business is to starve themselves. This is unfair to the models because they should have the freedom to express themselves with their own body and not be forced to look like every other model on the runway. http://www.anorexicmodel.com/

Women Aren't the Only Ones.

Many believe anorexia is only common among women when many men today are stuggling with this disease. Men are just too embarrassed to come out and tell people about their disease. Track stars, wrestlers, and jockeys are at a high risk of becoming anorexic because their sports require them to have a lower weight to be the best and most competative. Also, homosexuals are at a risk of becoming anorexic because homosexual men care more about their appearance. Anorexia  effects everyone and should not be ignored!


http://www.something-fishy.org/cultural/issuesformen.php 

Beauty Is Only Skin Deep

Many teens today are feeling the pressure to look thin. With this pressure, some girls feel the need to starve themselves in order to lose weight.  Some of these girls have a severe eating disorder such as anorexia. Instead of doing healthy things for themselves such as going to the gym, walking around the neighborhood and eating healthy, teenage girls are starving themselves to just fit in.  If not treated, anorexia can ultimately result in death.  Anorexia can be prevented. All forms of media contribute to this dilemma.  With super thin models gracing the pages of our magazines and super thin girls made to appear like the ideal, it is no wonder that teen girls today feel inferior if they are not just like the girls that appear in our magazines and on television.  The media should be more responsible and should not perpetuate the idea that if a girl is not a size 0, then she is not attractive. Every girl is unique and should feel attractive no matter what size they are because everyone is beautiful in their own little way.  After all, beauty is only skin deep.