Health center educates about eating disorders
Maiko Michishita
Issue date: 2/27/08 Section: News
In the 2007 academic year, 1.2 percent of UA students experienced anorexia and 2.2 percent experienced bulimia, according to a survey done by the National College House Association.
But these results might not match the real number of cases, because there are so many denials, said Susan Rausch, a Pat Walker Health Center health educator.
The Health Center is offering its services as part of National Eating Disorder Awareness Week, the nation's largest eating disorder outreach effort by the National Eating Disorder Association.
The Health Center has addressed this topic by setting up information desks to answer questions or concerns about eating disorders from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through tomorrow outside the Union Food Court.
"In order for eating disorders to go away in our culture or in our world, we would have to completely redefine what we value in terms of female body," Rausch.
NEDA highlights the fact that body size and shape are strongly influenced by biological factors, according to its Web site.
"If you come from a family where everyone is thin, you are likely to be thin. If you come from a family where big hips are common, you are likely to have big hips," Rausch said.
Four out of 10 Americans have either suffered or have known someone who has suffered from an eating disorder, according to research done by NEDA and Global Market Institute, Inc. in March 2005, when 1,500 U.S. adults nationwide were polled.
"On college campuses, there are so many opportunities for women to compare themselves with other women," Rausch said.
People with anorexia, primarily women, are eating much less than they should and are in denial by saying things such as "that's not hurting me" or "nothing is wrong with me," Rausch said.
After watching of fashion models, seven of 10 women were more depressed and angry about their bodies than prior to viewing them, according to the Health Center handout.
"Media messages have a strong influence on body dissatisfaction," Rausch said.
But these results might not match the real number of cases, because there are so many denials, said Susan Rausch, a Pat Walker Health Center health educator.
The Health Center is offering its services as part of National Eating Disorder Awareness Week, the nation's largest eating disorder outreach effort by the National Eating Disorder Association.
The Health Center has addressed this topic by setting up information desks to answer questions or concerns about eating disorders from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through tomorrow outside the Union Food Court.
"In order for eating disorders to go away in our culture or in our world, we would have to completely redefine what we value in terms of female body," Rausch.
NEDA highlights the fact that body size and shape are strongly influenced by biological factors, according to its Web site.
"If you come from a family where everyone is thin, you are likely to be thin. If you come from a family where big hips are common, you are likely to have big hips," Rausch said.
Four out of 10 Americans have either suffered or have known someone who has suffered from an eating disorder, according to research done by NEDA and Global Market Institute, Inc. in March 2005, when 1,500 U.S. adults nationwide were polled.
"On college campuses, there are so many opportunities for women to compare themselves with other women," Rausch said.
People with anorexia, primarily women, are eating much less than they should and are in denial by saying things such as "that's not hurting me" or "nothing is wrong with me," Rausch said.
After watching of fashion models, seven of 10 women were more depressed and angry about their bodies than prior to viewing them, according to the Health Center handout.
"Media messages have a strong influence on body dissatisfaction," Rausch said.
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Fasting
posted 2/27/08 @ 5:15 PM CST
Our country is based on capitalism so this means that profits are more important than health. So food companies want people to buy as much food as possible and they can put in many additives. (Continued…)
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