Eating Disorders As A Female Disorder

What is a feminist approach to understanding eating disorders? Not all feminists have the same understanding of eating disorders. There are many different theories that are prevalent in feminist literature today. This web page will explore some of the different feminist perspectives about the cause of eating disorders in our culture.

Topic: What is causing young adults and teens to develop eating disorders and how can we help them?

Tabitha HernandezMrs. HammillBiologyJune 11th, 2012 Eating Disorders Eating disorders are a worldwide problem and effect the lives of many. Women are much more likely than men to develop an eating disorder. One of three women have eating disorders, most of these women began to have the eating disorder due to stress, depression, and anger. Eating disorders stem is often formed with problem with self image caused by the media. Eating disorders are complex conditions that arise from a combination of long-standing behavioral, biological, emotional, psychological, interpersonal, and social factors. While eating disorders may begin with preoccupations with food and weight, they are most often about much more than food. People with eating

Eating disorders have traditionally been a “woman’s problem.” It has not been until recently that we have recognized the fact that males are suffering from these deadly disorders as well. It has been generally agreed upon that anywhere from five to 15 percent of all reported cases of eating disorders are attributed to men. This paper will examine its incidence in males and the physical and psychological aspects associated with having an eating disorder.

Eating disorders are largely considered to be a "female disease". Statistics seem to validate this perception – of the estimated five million-plus adults in the United States who have an eating disorder, only ten percent are thought to be male ((1)). Many professionals, however, hold the opinion that these numbers are incorrect – it is impossible to base the statistics on anything other than the number of adults diagnosed with eating disorders, and men are much less likely than women to seek help for such a problem ((2)). This means that the male population probably suffers more from eating disorders than the numbers show.

There are several categories of eating disorders and the etiology differs among individuals. Weight and physical appearance has a direct relation to the food we ingest. Young women often seek an ideal look and weight. This perceived image is often a product of media influences such as televisions, and magazines, as well as generalized peer pressure. Women are more apt to suffer from eating disorders. Young women are specifically affected. Historian John Brumberg concluded that about 95% of people who suffer from eating disorders are women between the ages of 12 to 25. The Food and Drug Administration reported only 5 to 10% of the population that is afflicted with an eating disorder is males (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders).

There is a broad spectrum of eating disorders. Bulimia nervosa (BN), anorexia nervosa (AN) (two basic types, restrictive (ANR) and binge-purge (ANBP)), and binge eating disorder (BED). People with eating disorders often have a morphed perception of their body. Often they feel the need to be perfect, and when they do not look perfect to themselves they feel great shame. Which in effect causes suicide ideation, because they feel they do not deserve to live. It appears that eating disorders may carry the highest suicide risk of any psychiatric disorder.

Media success has always been based on the exploitation of the rare or controversial. Magazines, television, and documentaries always seem to focus on unusual situations or the belittling of an individual’s habits. No one is to blame, however exploiting people and their unhealthy choices should be frowned upon, but society thrives off of the “unknown” and “lesser-seen”. Eating abnormalities seem to have become the newest trend, putting teen pregnancy and drug abuse on the backburner. Shows seem to focus solely on health implications caused by overeating, not eating, or eating foreign objects. Has the media's constant infatuation with the irregular led society to become desensitized to these outlandish topics, or has society begun to

Eating disorders are very dangerous disorders that affect mostly women. Women are very insecure about their bodies and will do anything to stay skinny. With women trying to remain skinny, they starve themselves or even vomit after eating. Women are taught from a very young age what their bodies are suppose to look like. From supermodels to celebrities, they portray a skinny and pretty woman, which gives little girls a false sense of what a woman should look like. A girl is very impressionable and instead of maintaining a healthy body weight, she starves herself to fit the image of what others want. Society instead of portraying healthy bodies are set on the thought that skinner is better and that healthier is not the way to go. Eating disorders

In today's world, education is not the only necessary survival skill needed in the work force, beauty has also become part of the package. The media created a perfect body image that has caused a new worldwide epidemic. The United States has fourteen million Americans that struggle with an eating disorder. “Every woman knows that, regardless of all her other achievements, she is a failure if she is not beautiful.” (Germaine Greer)

Academy for Eating Disorder states that, eating disorders are characterized by a recurring pattern of unhealthy eating attitudes resulting to problems regarding health, emotional, and social problems. Alternatively, ED is also defined as an insistent disturbance of one`s eating attitudes with intent to control weight and actually affects their health negatively (Walsh and Fairburn, 2002). Eating Disorder is usually common to women, but is not limited to them. Both genders, male and female, in various ages can also suffer from it. Now that male population are openly expressing vanity, there are now more than twice as many men having ED today, than there was ten years ago.

Making education events, talks, programs and workshops can give students a deeper understanding of eating disorders. In particular, students can know more about what are different types of eating disorder, the causes and consequences them. Knowing the consequences will have a deterrent effect on those who wants to lose weight. Besides, if students know the symptoms of having an eating disorder, such as skipping meals or avoiding social events, they can better recognize those who needs help and direct them to dietitians.

However, treatments are available for helping with eating disorders, but unfortunately, there is no cure. Eating disorders are prevalent and can only be cured by the individual. According to Treasure J, “Practice recommendations emphasize the importance of specialized care for the treatment of eating disorders, but such care is not often accessible” (587). I believe that raising awareness for eating disorders will help prevent the spreading and increasing of eating disorders. Many people are not intelligent when it comes to eating disorders and they all have different presumptions about this disorder. Eating disorders do not seem like a huge impact to people around the world but in reality, “Eating Disorders affect up to 24 million Americans

More women worry about their weight than men. It is a fact that among the adults, 38% of the women and 24% of the men were trying to lose weight. When you hear about Anorexia and Bulimia most people think of females. What people do not know is tons of males suffer from the same problem. I believe males should be more looked upon when it comes to this subject. Gymnasts, runners, body builders, rowers, wrestlers, racers, dancers, and swimmers are especially helpless against dietary problems on the grounds that their games require weight limitation. Approximately 10% of eating disordered individuals coming to the attention of mental health professionals were male, and Eating disorders do not discriminate on the basis of gender. Men can and do develop eating disorders.

As a result of eating disorders, women could get other problems of their body, such as alopecia and malnutrition. If a female is suffering from eating disorders, she might feel unconfident and negative because of her concern of body image. Her social relationships might be affected because it could be hard to socialize with people who has healthy eating habit. She might also suffer from dizziness and tiredness in daily life since she doesn’t consume enough food or consume too much food which will also damage her digestive system. Eating disorders also have negative effects on mental health, as well as physical health. Women who suffer from eating disorders are more likely to have depression since they are too strict about their body image.