Eating disorders flourish under American culture
Commentary by Monique Bhimani

When finishing a huge holiday feast, you often hear someone say something like, “I’m not going to be able to eat for the next week.”
But for the anorexic or bulimic individual, this phrase is often taken literally and frequently.

In our society, the tall thin female is idolized. Men are attracted to her, women want to be her. This is the image young women are exposed to daily nationwide.

Though bulimia nervosa has gained more recognition today, the disease is often overlooked in favor of the “perfect” body. The American culture has fostered this image of the perfect woman, yet the consequences of this can be destructive if not deadly.

At high schools and colleges nationwide, bulimia is a fast-spreading epidemic. In high schools, a common purpose for bingeing and purging is to be in the “in-crowd” of the alleged “popular people” and to try and fit into that certain image.

But at colleges and universities, one explanation for why the disease thrives is because young women don’t wish to be “out of uniform” with their sorority sisters. There are numerous other reasons for bulimia, which is sad that so many of them exist.

On the site www.nationaleatingsdisorders.org, several interesting facts are listed: Bulimia nervosa affects 1 to 3 percent of middle and high school students and 1 to 4 percent of college age women. Approximately 80 percent of bulimia patients are female. People struggling with bulimia will often appear of average weight. Many that are suffering from the disease recognize that their behavior is unusual and perhaps dangerous to their health.

Some say diseases such as bulimia and anorexia could only exist in the United States. Our nation is one of the few in the world in which disorders such as these can flourish. Many nations around the world are so impoverished that finding food on a regular basis is considered a luxury.

If someone with anorexia or bulimia was to attempt to explain to these destitute souls why they would take such actions and hurt their bodies in this way, the person would be greeted with a mix of disgust and envy rather than pity.

As one of the richest nations in the world, it is interesting that our culture could rear a generation of young females who consume excessive amounts of food, which could have been used to the starving, then later vomit it up or take unnecessary laxatives. These individuals not only harm their own health but also deprive others of meals that would most certainly not go to waste.

Those suffering from this disease should look at what actions they take from a different perspective, realize the seriousness of the disorder and eventually seek help for this potentially fatal disease. If you or anyone else has or know someone with these disorders, contact the Brown-Lupton Health Center, or for professional help in Texas, go to www.something-fishy.org.

Monique Bhimani is a sophomore international communication and news-editorial major from San Antonio. She can be contacted at (m.s.bhimani@student.tcu.edu).

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TCU Daily Skiff © 2002