The Dark Side of Perfection: Modern Day Eating Disorders

This is the age of physical perfection. From movies to newspapers, and everywhere in between, the youth of America is bombarded images of the Platonic ideal of beauty. Television shows such as America's Next Top Model and The Simple Life glorify our nation's obsession with overly perfect women, and computer-modified photographs of models appear on the cover of every magazine. But what are the adverse effects on the general population? For teenagers, the pressure of fitting in with their peers is a major social issue, and in an effort to become as physically perfect as possible, many develop eating disorders. The two most common of these disorders are anorexia and bulimia.

Anorexia nervosa - commonly known simply as anorexia - is an eating disorder that currently affects 1-2% of the female population, but only 0.1-0.2% of the male population. It is generally described as a high fear of weight gain, refusal to maintain a minimally accepted body weight, and distorted self body image. Anorexia causes a person to see themselves as overweight, even when they are so thin it is unhealthy. Often they will refuse to eat meals, or eat very little in their obsessive quest to lose weight. Sometimes they will prepare huge meals for others, and not eat a bite themselves. This can be very dangerous for women, as it can affect their menstrual cycles.

Bulimia nervosa (known simply as bulimia) is a "binge and purge" eating disorder. Oftentimes, a person affected by bulimia will eat massive amounts, then use vomiting, laxatives, or other techniques to purge the food and prevent weight gain. Generally, the foods that a bulimic will binge upon will be "comfort foods" - foods that have some sentimental value to the person - or sweet foods that are high in calories or very sweet. A person suffering from bulimia can appear perfectly normal, unlike what is the general case with anorexia. Much of the time, a person who suffers from bulimia can also suffer from anorexia.

Both of these disorders affect primarily adolescent Caucasian girls who are very high achievers and generally have a very goal-oriented family or personality, or those in high socioeconomic status. It is also prominently seen among those involved in activities where weight is very important, such as actors, dancers, and distance runners, especially among teens that feel like they will not succeed in their activity unless they are absolutely perfect. Although the cause of these eating disorders has never been proven, it is widely accepted that high levels of stress, family problems, depression, and feelings of inadequacy can be major factors in the development of bulimia and anorexia. In today's society, eating disorders are a major problem among teens. With the pressure from society, peers, school and family, teens often feel inadequate, and this can reflect on their eating habits. I believe that we need more education about the danger of eating disorders and the accessibility to help. If a person realizes that they are suffering from an eating disorder, they should see immediately consult a doctor, or look up any local treatment centers.