Corinne Elkins
Professor Dargue
English Composition 102
9 March 2011
Eating Disorders: Make an Informative Decision A wiry, 5’11” dancer composed of no more than ninety-five pounds, steps her calloused foot and sweat drenched body onto the carpet while trying to contain her utter joy and excitement. This young woman has just been offered acceptance into a prestigious dance program, but how did she achieve this miraculous feat? Of course the obvious come to mind which include hard work, dedication, and perseverance; however, her story does not end here. Her biggest challenge surmounted to the genes of her thicker bones and the bulky nature of her muscle structure. Her decision to accomplish her emaciated slender physique was helped by an eating disorder by the name of anorexia nervosa, and in her opinion it was a completely legitimate decision. Unfortunately, my friend Samantha was unaware of all of the drastic side effects that come along with this mental illness, and she may have made an alternate decision if she was better informed.
Nowadays, most people are more knowledgeable about eating disorders than they were even ten years ago. Many people are already aware that, according to H. Buis, eating disorders are forms of mental disorders that occur all over the world but are most brutal in people near high school and college age and are even more common in the Western hemisphere. However, others are alarmed to realize that eating disorders, like most other mental disorders, encompass a slew of negative effects. Edward Cumella noted in The American Journal of Psychiatry that they can cause extreme emotional fluctuations and psychological disturbances which can lead to other mental issues such as depression. They can also cause physiological damage such as tooth decay, throat and intestine problems, and even lead to early menopause in some women leaving them unable to have children. Due to these problems and other related side effects, experts have determined that eating disorders are leading factors for high suicide rates in teens and young adults, and they affect over one third of all Americans at some point in their lives. Clearly, eating disorders can be dangerous and life threatening illnesses which is precisely why it is imperative to know possible causes of them.
Recently, a plethora of experts have conducted research dealing with possible explanations for developing eating disorders. The main point that they discuss is how greatly media and the environment is affecting people’s mindsets, and not just women’s thoughts. According to a study by Jon Arcelus and John F. Morgan, men are feeling the increased pressure to be comprised of only muscle due to men’s magazines, advertisements, and television. This mindset is magnified in homosexual men due to the higher circulation of men’s products in their lives as well as the intense competition they face in gay bars. Another overlooked reason for the up rise of eating disorders deals with acculturation. Melanie Brown and Regine Talleyrand who are specialists in this field report that certain minorities in America struggle with whether to completely embrace the sometimes unrealistic views of body image in Western societies or whether to hold strong in original beliefs of that minority that can often lead to binge-eating disorder. This disorder is when abnormal amounts of food are consumed in one sitting, and this behavior occurs repeatedly and frequently. With all the new information that is being discovered, it is important to scrutinize and read new discoveries about this topic that are pertinent to each individual. It is also considerable to realize that if eating disorders become a habit that many forms of treatment are available that can be catered to each person’s needs.
Thus far, all the information in most sources gives support that eating disorders are detrimental and should not be attempted in any way because the negatives are extremely apparent and the benefits are hardly noticeable if any exist; however, the experts who examine eating disorders merely pay attention to the scientific aspects. They make the assumption that no one needs to have such a drastically low weight and body mass index but on the rare occasion that this needs to be achieved it can be done in a healthy way. This is not necessarily true, and some experts dismiss the idea that someone’s dream may be more important to them than their mental and physical wellbeing. In Samantha’s case, her transformation aided her in receiving scholarships for multiple universities, and it also helped her become a more talented, technically correct dancer. Granted she did not have as much energy, but for her personally, this change assisted her in flourishing as a ballerina. Furthermore, she, like many other artistic performers, has achieved success in her career. Although the values of stereotyping people based on their body types may be old fashion, it still readily exists in many industries where the person’s body is their instrument such as acting, modeling, and dancing. Actors, even when an emaciated thinness, are idolized as proven by the article “Bags of Bones”. Furthermore, Ben Gray points out that models are hardly ever considered if they are not comprised of a slight frame and lanky extremities. The argument occurs that exceptions to this are arising because the industry is fighting against this stereotype by creating plus sized models; however, the average plus sized model is a six or eight, while the average American woman wears a dress size fourteen. Moreover, even when full figured models are granted the right to appear in magazines, they are merely used for commercial modeling, not high fashion and edgy runway models. More of the same standards of thinness are held for dancers as well. Considering all of these professions require seemingly abnormal body weight requirements, it is nearly predictable that a vast majority of the people in these areas have eating disorders. However, contrary to popular belief many choose this way of living and are entirely content with it because it caused them to achieve their most ultimate dream.
Take the time to think about it in a more relatable way. Say for example that your most ultimate dream as a child and at the present time is to become some type of surgeon. If in your childhood you had an imaginary friend and every moment you were with him or her you pretended to make incisions in people, or if each birthday wish you yearned for an opportunity to meet a surgeon, or even if every single coin a parent gave you to throw in a fountain and make a wish was spent on the desire for a surgical mask or some other medical device wouldn’t you do practically anything to see this vision come true. Well what if you were informed that this could all become a reality by losing weight, maybe even in a drastic amount. Would you sit there and watch your childhood dream and obsession pass you by? This seems impractical considering the weight of a surgeon has nothing to do with whether he or she is offered a job, but for many performing industries that is the upmost concern. Regardless of whether or not someone’s career depends on weight, he or she should be informed about eating disorders. If a person’s profession does not have the issue of weight, he or she can be aware of the possible risks that are associated with developing this mental illness and can also realize that treatment is available. Even if they do not need this information directly for themselves, chances are that someone they come in contact with will. Furthermore, if weight determines whether or not people are offered a particular occupation, they should take time to familiarize themselves with every damaging effect that could occur to their body. This way they can determine for themselves whether or not their dream at the moment is worth detrimental effects on their body for the rest of their lives. Samantha was unaware of every effect that could take place on her body, and as a result of her eating disorder is now unable to have children of her own. She regrets her decision, but many performing artists, even some at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, are knowledgeable about the risks and have chosen to remain in a constant state of having eating disorders. This may not be the decision that everyone chooses to make, but the important fact is that they are informed and have made what they feel is the correct resolution for themselves based on scholarly information.