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Maria Ramirez

Dr. Gutierrez

English 1AX

11 September 2020

Small Changes Can Lead to Eating Disorders

According to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders

(ANAD), an organization that started in the early 1970s and provides support, awareness, and

prevention of eating disorders, 28.8 million people of the population, will have an eating disorder

in their lifetime (“Eating Disorder Statistics”). There are various types of eating disorders that are

not commonly brought to the table due to the lack of information and knowledge about them. They

are and will continue affecting people around the country. Eating disorders are mostly said to be

affecting adolescents, but in reality it affects adults and children as well. The debate around this

issue is that more actions need to be taken in the U.S. to help reduce the amount of eating disorders

cases. The best way to treat and prevent eating disorders is to provide nutritional and general

counseling to parents and their children through school and public programs.

To begin with, eating disorders can be defined as physiological conditions that cause

unhealthy eating habits and obsession with body shape and weight. The symptoms can vary, but

the most common are food restriction, binge eating, vomiting, and over-exercising (Wexler).

Frequent factors that originate eating disorders are social and cultural beliefs. (Wexler). For

example, cultural beliefs such as viewing thinness or a certain type of body shape as beauty

(Wexler). This type of beliefs lead to people constantly worrying about body shapes, weight, and
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diets. Society is setting a way of viewing beauty that is wrongfully affecting many people. Eating

disorders are affecting the population's health and if the disorder is not treated on time it could lead

to death. There are about 10,200 deaths each year which is one death every 52 minutes (“Eating

Disorder Statistics”). Based on the impact that this issue has, it must be addressed and the best

solution is to provide programs about eating disorders in schools and public places.

Furthermore, people not being satisfied with their body increases the chances of dieting and

excessive exercising. As it is stated by Freja Petersen, in the article Eating Your Heart Out? We

take a look at student eating disorders and body issues while in third level education, “Up to 90%

of normal weight female college students want to be thinner. Dieting and binge-eating is common

among male and female college students regardless of their weight” (Petersen). The fact that

college students are worried about their weight is an issue because they will begin dieting or start

exercising extremely. Students are distracted with their weight not realizing the problem it could

create. Dieting and exercising is seen as something good for all people, but it is dangerous when

used excessively and not having background knowledge. In order to avoid diet and exercise from

becoming an eating disorder it is necessary to have programs in schools and public places to

provide all people with nutritional information as well as knowledge on eating disorders.

Equally important, the number of cases in children have been increasing since 2008 (“The

Center for Eating Disorders...”). The Center for Eating Disorders at Sheppard Pratt has said that

children under age 15 in need of treatment has tripled (“The Center for Eating Disorders...”)

Meaning eating disorders are seen in children more often than before. The increase in cases are due

to children experiencing bullying, teasing, or emotional trauma (Gale). If the child is being teased

about their body shape or weight it is very likely that they will begin a certain type of change. For
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example, dieting, weight loss, over exercising, and beginning to label foods as “good” and “bad”

(Gale). Usually, children that have these types of experiences feel alone and are afraid of sharing

their circumstances, which leads to an eating disorder because they are taking decisions without

being informed. However, having programs that exquisitely focus on teaching about eating

disorders and nutrition children will then know the consequences of their actions. Also, the

programs will have trusted people allowing children to ask any questions they are concerned about.

Children will have knowledge on eating disorders that will reduce the chances of experiencing

them in the future.

Similarly, adolescents constantly using media are at higher risk of developing an eating

disorder. The messages that the media is giving out to the users is causing adolescents to look at

celebrities as role models (Cherry). Adolescents become obsessed with things such as body image

and wanting to look like other people that are considered “perfect”. This causes adolescents to

start using certain products or start gaining new habits that will help them obtain their goal. The

problem is that not all products and habits are good. In this case, celebrities might have done

surgery or are using some type of filter to make themselves look better. Adolescents are sometimes

very committed to wanting to change that makes them unaware of the consequences as well as not

realizing that not everything in the media is real. Due to this issue it is a great idea to have

programs for adolescents. The programs will assist with counseling, nutrition, media, and eating

disorders information. Programs are a good way to help adolescents avoid eating disorders as well

as having a place where they feel comfortable.

In addition, students who face stress while attending school are more likely to develop

eating disorders. According to Remuda Ranch, Programs for Eating and Anxiety Disorder,
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students who are in the first year of college turn to unhealthy eating habits that in the future become

eating disorders due to adopting into a new environment and dealing with stress (“Going Back to

School…”). Meaning that the change of environment causes many students to eat unhealthy

because they are away from home and have to deal with personal issues by themself. For instance,

having classes and working part time does not leave time to make food on their own which is why

students prefer to buy fast food. Students are trying to get familiar with a new lifestyle and

throughout the change, emotions and habits start to emerge that turn into eating disorders without

being aware. Also, when students live in college norms it is more likely to develop an eating

disorder because one student with a disorder might teach the others (Going Back to School…”).

In order to prevent this, colleges should have programs to inform and help students with eating

disorders. Programs will provide counseling, nutritional explanation, and eating disorders

information. By having programs, students will feel supported and are more likely to ask for help

when needed. Also, having people to talk to will reduce stress and students will feel more

comfortable talking about problems they are facing. The programs will provide students special

help to make a smooth transition from home to college while reducing the chances of facing an

eating disorder in the future.

Moreover, teachers have a great impact on students especially when it comes to eating

disorders. Teachers and school staff might have to face situations in which students have an eating

disorder. In order for the teacher to help they need to be aware of the topic. The National Eating

Disorders Association suggests for school staff to make a policy that eliminates weighting students

near other students as well as to create a student assistance program (“National Eating

Disorders…”). The program provides information about healthy body image, nutrition, and eating
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disorders information (“National Eating Disorders…”). By eliminating weighting students, it is

creating a non judgmental environment based on weight. Students will eventually step away from

any judgment that has to do with body weight which will reduce the chance of developing an

eating disorder. Also, creating a student assistance program is beneficial for students because it is a

place where students are able to ask and get assistance. The program will help teachers with

guidance and support in case of a student showing eating disorders symptoms. Besides, it will

make teachers be more attentive with their students because they will know the information of the

disorders. Having the program in schools will help all school staff and students be well informed.

On the other hand, parents might not want children to receive information about eating

disorders because the child will have the idea and will constantly be thinking about it. In the article,

Joanna Poppink, advances the idea that parents are afraid because they have the belief that

knowing the information will cause their children to develop an eating disorder. For example,

Poppink states that “They also fear such material will encourage a teenager with an eating disorder

to try new and different methods of acting out the illness”, which signifies that teenagers might not

have the disorder, but might act as if they did. While it may be true that teenagers might act out the

disorder, however, the programs will be for both parents and children. Evidently, the information

will be provided to alert parents about eating disorders. Due to the eating disorders symptoms not

being noticeable leads to parents believing their children are fine when in reality they are not.

When parents are conscious of eating disorders it is more likely to notice any changes in children.

Obtaining information ahead of time will prevent more dangerous health problems.

To add on, parents and family need to be involved in the treatment of a person that has an

eating disorder. The individual will receive more support that will help treatment work better and
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faster. In a study published in the journal Eating Disorders, involved 32 teenage girls with anorexia

and 75% of them had no symptoms three years after treatment that involved family therapy

(Doheny). The study shows how it is more likely for an individual to fully recover from an eating

disorder with the help of their family. The individual no longer feels alone and has people that

understand their situation. This will also avoid the individual from feeling depressed or lonely.

When the individual is constantly being reminded that there are people willing to help them, the

treatment will be less challenging. Programs will give individuals as much support and treatment as

needed. If more programs are created there will be more people getting help and the program will

be like a big family.

In fact, there are a few programs that are helping people be informed about eating disorders

such as the Remunda Ranch. The program opened in 1990 and it is conducted by Primary Care

Providers, Register Dietitians, Master Level therapist, Psychologist, and Registered Nurse

(Remunda Ranch…). They have been able to provide treatment to about 10,000 people with

inpatient treatment programs (Remuda Ranch…). This shows how programs are able to help

people and if programs continue to be made then many deaths are going to be avoided. As

programs continue to be made eating disorders will be well known by everyone making it easier

for people who face these disorders to overcome the challenge faster and without struggle.

Conclusively, programs for all people will be a major assistance to bring awareness and

treatments for eating disorders. The programs will provide support, guidance, nutritional

information, counselling, and all topics that relate to eating disorders. Many people are suffering

from eating disorders and some do not know how important it is to be treated. Since there are

various types of eating disorders people are not familiar with them. In order to spread information it
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is necessary for you to get informed and try to be part of a program. If there are no programs near

you, you should consider the option of starting one. Get involved with the health system and be

part of the change. Imagine being able to save a life or help someone life a better life without the

struggle of an eating disorder.

Works Cited

Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders. “Eating Disorder Statistics.” Anorexia Nervosa

and Associated Disorders, National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated

Disorders, 2020, https://anad.org/education-and-awareness/about-eating-disorders/

eating-disorders-statistics/. Accessed 2 December 2020.

Cherry, Susan Spaeth. "Parents Can Help Prevent Eating Disorders." Eating Disorders, edited by

Jennifer A. Hurley, Greenhaven Press, 2001. Opposing Viewpoints. Gale In Context:

Opposing Viewpoints, https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/EJ3010128228/OVIC?u=cc

lc_hart&sid=OVIC&xid=d17e7651. Accessed 5 Dec. 2020. Originally published as

"Eating Disorders in Young Teens: Building Self-Esteem Will Help Your Teen Fight These

Disorders," family.com, 1997.

Doheny, Kathleen. “Teens with eating disorders benefit from parents’ help.” Home News Tribune;

East Brunswick, N.J., 28 Jul. 2009. U.S. Newsstream. https://login.ezproxy.hartne

ll.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/newspapers/teens-with-eating-disorders-benefit-

parents-help/docview/438158586/se-2?accountid=937.

"Eating Disorders." Gale Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection, Gale, 2018. Gale In Context:

Opposing Viewpoints, https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/PC3021900056/OVIC?u=cclc_har

t&sid=OVIC&xid=72d2c07b. Accessed 2 Dec. 2020.

Freja Petersen, David Boyd. “Eating Your Heart Out? We take a look at student eating disorders

and body issues while in third level education.” Carlsbad, 15 Nov. 2013. U.S. Newsstream.

https://login.ezproxy.hartnell.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/wire-feeds/eating-yo
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ur%20-heart-out-we-take-look-at-student/docview/1458575255/se-2?accountid=937.

“Going Back to School Can Trigger Eating Disorders.” PR Newswire Association LLC, 10 Oct.

2007. U.S> Newsstream. https://login.ezproxy.hartnell.edu/login?url=https://w

ww.proquest.com/wire-feeds/going-back-school-can-trigger-eating-disorders/docview/4509

07534/se-2?accountid=937.

“National Eating Disorders Assn. Issues Strategies for Schools to Identify, Assist Students with

Eating Disorders.” PR Newswire; New York, 24 Sep. 2008. U.S. Newsstream.

https://login.ezproxy.hartnell.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/wire-feeds/national-

eating-disorders-assn-issues-strategies/docview/448544096/se-2?accountid=937.

Poppink, Joanna. "Educational Programs Can Help Prevent Eating Disorders." Eating Disorders,

edited by Jennifer A. Hurley, Greenhaven Press, 2001. Opposing Viewpoints. Gale In

Context: Opposing Viewpoints,

https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/EJ3010128226/OVIC?u=cclc

_hart&sid=OVIC&xid=3738956a. Accessed 3 Dec. 2020. Originally published as "Eating

Disorder Education: Benefits for Parents and Teens," Self-Help Magazine, 1999.

“Remuda Ranch, Programs for Eating and Anxiety Disorders, and MASK (Mothers Awareness on

School-Age Kids), Partner to Help Educate Parents, Teachers and Students About Eating

Disorders.” PR Newswire Association LLC, Jan 27, 2010. U.S. Newsstream.

https://login.ezproxy.hartnell.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/wire-feeds/remuda-r

anch-programs-eating-anxiety-disorders/docview/447313492/se-2?accountid=937.

“The Center for Eating Disorders at Sheppard Pratt Asks the Public, “What Does An Eating

Disorder Look Like?.” PR Newswire; New York, 3 Sep. 2013. U.S. Newsstream,
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https://login.ezproxy.hartnell.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/wire-feeds/center-eat

ing-disorders-at-sheppard-pratt-asks/docview/1429444909/se-2?accountid=937.

Wexler, Barbara. "The Influences of Mental Health and Culture on Weight and Eating Disorders."

Weight in America: Obesity, Eating Disorders, and Other Health Risks, 2012 ed., Gale,

2013. Information Plus Reference Series. Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints,

https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/EJ2069700103/OVIC?u=cclc_hart&sid=OVIC&xid=4cb75

713. Accessed 2 Dec. 2020.