The Philosophy of Anorexia

I agree that poor people have an easier chance of being fat. I see it being very relative to the fact that America has a growing amount of lower class and a rise in the amount of obese people(which if i remember correctly is around 40%, pretty ridiculous). I also despise High Fructose Corn Syrup, which is probably the #1 cause of the rise of obesity. They put that shit in just about everything, from what you drink to mostly all the snacks you buy. And of course, one factor of that is that it's CHEAP. And since people like it and are buying more of it everyday, the food manufacturors will put it in MORE products they come across. It's just a growing vicious cycle that most people are not aware of.

As if what a person should do in the situation, well there isn't much to do. Just about the only thing to do is cooking everything yourself, but that's also pricey. If in a consistent situation where the income is steady, you're only choice would be to find a balance between eating unhealthy and healthy foods.

As for anorexia, I haven't a clue. It's just people conforming to a sick society, the only thing you could do to help them is be more aware of themselves. But this doesn't come easily, as the person who has the problems MUST want it for themselves. Being coerced into changing never usually turns out the way you want it to.

 

Anorexia is definitely a product of modern culture... I mean yeah there are plenty of cases where the parents were a big influence like you mentioned, but there's also plenty where the person develops the disorder independently of their family. It's the way we're brought up to think of the ideal woman... look at Barbie dolls for example. I heard somewhere that if Barbie were life size her proportions would be way out of whack.... 7 feet tall and 110 pounds or something like that. Take a look at the models on TV and in magazines... they're all practically stick figures. Too many girls are being raised thinking the skinnier they are, the better. There's an ideal weight for everyone... and most often, you need to have some amount of body fat to be considered healthy. If you aren't happy with the way you look, exercise and eat healthy. Not eating at all is horrible for you.

As far as economic position, I think most people can afford to eat healthy if they choose to. There's some on the lower end of the scale who can't, but that could easily be fixed. The problem is that it's way too convenient to eat nasty horrible fast food. These companies are all competing with each other to make more money... so they're practically shoving it in our faces. I think we should have more emphasis on nutrition in school so people actually realize what they're doing to themselves.

 

I'd definitely say the media has a big part in anorexia, but I don't know if it completely causes it.

I've struggled with anorexia since I was in around 6th grade. So about 6-7 years. I think the reason I started wasn't just because I hated my body, but because, as I'm sure you've heard from other people with eating disorders, eating was something I could control, as apposed to other problems I couldn't. It definitely developed into hating my body and using starting myself as a way to control my weight. But I really think it was more of a way to "punish" myself for things, things that were out of my control. The media doesn't help. Seeing Britney Spears on tv, half naked, showing off her bones sticking out and her flat stomach, and then hearing people in the media call her fat DEFINITELY fucks up a persons self image. Comments like "how the hell can you be a stoner and an anorexic?" don't help either. I think it's mostly a combination of things.

The one thing that's really helped me a lot though, is support from my boyfriend
(l0gic, he posts here too ). I know the relationship between sisters and a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship is a lot different but, having someone to talk to makes a huge difference. Even though I don't believe it, he tells me I'm beautiful and tells me I'm fine the way I am. That he loves me for me, and how I am now. It's pretty much impossible to change the past and how people have treated you before but trust me, as a recovering self injurer and anorexic, having someone to talk to and having someone there that won't judge you, it means the world.

I'd say the best way to help your sisters is just be there for them and support them. Don't force them to eat. Don't try to convince them that they really are skinny and are just being unreasonable. Just be there for them. And if you offer them any food, offer them healthy foods. Fruits, veggies, pure fruit juices, etc, but don't force it at them.

Sorry this was long, but I hope sharing my story helped.

 

What about weightlifter's anorexia? It needs a better name, but alot of habitual weightlifters feel like they never get muscular enough... it's disgusting.

 

first, note: i am male. i am not anorexic.

about a year ago, i starting taking running very seriously as i started to train for my first marathon. at this point, i decided that a healthy diet would make the training easier and more of an overall experience of bettering myself. i found that now that i have run a couple marathons, and am back to my normal running routine, i am still stuck on this diet. i have become obsessed with calories, grams of fat, fiber, every aspect of what goes into my body. i am disgusted by unhealthy foods and almost feel superior to those who eat poorly.

i wish i could change this, and i have tried very hard. my girlfriend always complains about my "eating disorder". i do not consider it a eating disorder however, because it does not result in anything but a healthy balanced diet. i do, however, consider it to be a burden on social interaction and my own assessment of a truly happy lifestyle. now if somebody has birthday cake or eats with me in public, i have to think about what i am eating, and feel guilty if i know it is bad.

ok, my point is: eating should NOT be a major element of any persons life. it is something us humans do out of necessity, and should not be focus of too much concern. i believe there is a happy medium between eating terribly and what i do. just be sensible, but do not become obsessed. it is no fun.

 

thanks, solid advice. i will definitely try to remember that.