Eating Disorders Activist Project

BBH 452 Activism Project : 

BBH 452 Activism Project Meghan Ruscitto Jennalyn Weir Linnea McLaughlin Laura Karelitz

Caution : 

Caution Several of the images seen in this presentation may be disturbing to viewers. Discretion is advised.

Slide 3: 

What makes someone beautiful?

Slide 4: 

Age?

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Race?

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Body Size?

Survey : 

Survey Distributed over 50 surveys to people of all races, genders and ages asking questions in regards to women’s beauty and eating disorders Revealed 3 different photographs of women and asked which group was more beautiful.

Group 1 : 

Group 1

Group 2 : 

Group 2

Group 3 : 

Group 3

Survey Question #1 : 

Survey Question #1 Which group of women do you think is more beautiful? Why?

Question #1 Results : 

Question #1 Results 94% of respondents claimed Group 2 was the most beautiful. 6% ofparticipants responded Groups 1 and 3. Of the 6%, 4% were African American.

Question #1 Responses : 

Question #1 Responses “Group 2 is definitely the hottest. All but one girl have flat stomachs, proportional bodies and sexy faces.” “Group 2: Tall and thin.” “The thin group: They look happier and more confident.” “Group 2: I like that they are not wearing anything. Plus, I think it’s sexy that they are touching themselves.”

Survey Question #2 : 

Survey Question #2 What characteristics make a woman beautiful?

Question #2 Results : 

Question #2 Results 87% of the participants discussed physical characteristics. 13% discussed emotional or psychological characteristics. All 13% were 34 years of age or older.

Question #2 Responses : 

Question #2 Responses “Eyes, smile, big breasts, rear end.” “Self-confidence, pretty long hair, white teeth, smooth complexion, nice clothing and compassionate.” “Thin, tan, tight body, curves and personality.” “Pretty eyes, nice full hair, athletic build-meaning must be in shape. Not be psycho but confident and funny.” “Eyes, lips, big hair and curves.”

Survey Question #3 : 

Survey Question #3 What is the ideal body size for women?

Question #3 Results : 

Question #3 Results 98% of the respondents answered a size 4 or below. 12% discussed importance of athletic build and breast size.

Question #3 Responses : 

Question #3 Responses “5’-5”, 110 pounds, AKA: Megan Fox.” “Not too skinny but fit.” “Size 2-4.” “Size 0-2, Chest size D, 5’-7”.” “36-24-36 (It’s in Baby Got Back), I’d say proportional but not taller than me.” “Fit, a girl who exercises and has some tone but not bony.” “Probably a Coke bottle shape: Small waist and large chest.”

The Beauty Myth… : 

The Beauty Myth…

the idea that women are constantly participating in these body projects in order to live up to the IDEAL BEAUTY our society has formed, but in reality it is IMPOSSIBLE to ever achieve this : 

the idea that women are constantly participating in these body projects in order to live up to the IDEAL BEAUTY our society has formed, but in reality it is IMPOSSIBLE to ever achieve this

The Beauty MythBody ProjectsEating Disorders : 

The Beauty MythBody ProjectsEating Disorders

What is the Ideal Beauty? : 

What is the Ideal Beauty?

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THIN

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TALL

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TAN

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FLAWLESS

“ UNREALISTIC, Western THIN body ideal portrayed in society as something obtainable, and the unrelenting PRESSURE from media, peers, and parents to attain this ideal”….Leads to EATING DISORDERS : 

“ UNREALISTIC, Western THIN body ideal portrayed in society as something obtainable, and the unrelenting PRESSURE from media, peers, and parents to attain this ideal”….Leads to EATING DISORDERS

What is the IDEAL body size??? : 

What is the IDEAL body size???

MENS IDEAL? : 

MENS IDEAL?

WOMEN’S IDEAL? : 

WOMEN’S IDEAL?

NATIONAL AVERAGE? : 

NATIONAL AVERAGE?

Body Shape affects WOMEN’S PROFESSIONS… : 

Body Shape affects WOMEN’S PROFESSIONS…

Ralph Lauren Model Fired for Being TOO FAT… : 

Ralph Lauren Model Fired for Being TOO FAT…

ACTUAL MODEL : 

ACTUAL MODEL

AIRBRUSHED MODEL : 

AIRBRUSHED MODEL

…and we wonder where women get the idea to go on extreme diets and strive to look ultra thin… : 

…and we wonder where women get the idea to go on extreme diets and strive to look ultra thin…

THE BEAUTY MYTH : 

THE BEAUTY MYTH

When did it become okay to stop loving yourself? : 

When did it become okay to stop loving yourself?

Women in the U.S. are under constant pressure to fit a certain ideal of beauty. Seeing images of flawless, thin females everywhere makes it hard for women to feel good about their bodies. : 

Women in the U.S. are under constant pressure to fit a certain ideal of beauty. Seeing images of flawless, thin females everywhere makes it hard for women to feel good about their bodies.

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She may talk about weight and food all the time, not eat in front of others, be moody or sad, or not want to go out with friends

Women with Eating Disorders suffer from disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, and body dysmorphic disorder : 

Women with Eating Disorders suffer from disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, and body dysmorphic disorder

What is Anorexia? : 

What is Anorexia? -Intense fear of gaining weight -Has a low body weight for her height -Resists keeping a normal body weight -Thinks she is fat even when very thin -Misses 3 menstrual periods in a row (for girls/women who have started having their periods)

Causes of Eating Disorders : 

Causes of Eating Disorders Personality traits Someone with anorexia may not like her or himself, hate the way she looks, or feel hopeless. She often sets hard-to-reach goals for herself and tries to be perfect in every way.

Causes of Eating Disorders : 

Causes of Eating Disorders Family influence Parents who think looks are important, diet themselves, or criticize their children's bodies are more likely to have a child with anorexia

What is Bulimia? : 

What is Bulimia? -A person with bulimia eats a lot of food in a short amount of time (binging) and then tries to prevent weight gain by getting rid of the food (purging). -A person with bulimia feels she cannot control the amount of food eaten. Also, bulimics might exercise a lot, eat very little or not at all, or take pills to pass urine often to prevent weight gain.

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Unlike anorexia, people with bulimia can fall within the normal range for their age and weight.

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-The stress of trying to live in two different cultures may cause some minorities to develop their eating disorders. -A binge can be triggered by dieting, stress, or uncomfortable emotions, such as anger or sadness.

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-Purging and other actions to prevent weight gain are ways for people with bulimia to feel more in control of their lives and ease stress and anxiety.

What is Body Dysmorphic Disorder? : 

What is Body Dysmorphic Disorder? -An Anxiety disorder in which the affected person is excessively concerned about and preoccupied by a perceived defect in his or her physical appearance

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-Being preoccupied with minor or imaginary physical flaws, usually of the skin, hair, and nose, such as acne, scarring, facial lines, marks, pale skin, thinning hair, excessive body hair, large nose, or crooked nose

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-Having a lot of anxiety and stress about the perceived flaw and spending a lot of time focusing on it, such as frequently picking at skin, excessively checking appearance in a mirror, hiding the imperfection, comparing appearance with others, excessively grooming, seeking reassurance from others about how they look, and getting cosmetic surgery

Who suffers from Eating Disorders : 

Who suffers from Eating Disorders 1 out of every 100 people suffer from anorexia Of these people with anorexia, 90% are women Higher prevalence of anorexia in those with high socioeconomic status

Celebrities influence the way women view their own bodies… : 

Celebrities influence the way women view their own bodies…

Survey Question #4 : 

Survey Question #4 What do you think are signs that indicate a woman is obsessed with her appearance?

Question #4 Responses : 

Question #4 Responses “Over exercising and eating small meals” “hours to get ready, constantly dieting, needs to see the picture right after the flash goes off” “Heavy makeup is an indicator of lack of self-confidence” “Obsessing over their weight, constantly looking in mirrors and windows because she sees herself as fat or ugly” “Being fake- tanning, cosmetic surgery, nails, dying hair”

Survey Question #5 : 

Survey Question #5 What do you think causes a woman to develop an eating disorder?

Question #5 Responses : 

Question #5 Responses “Wanting to look like models or women on TV or in magazines” “MEN!” “Women develop eating disorders when they are not in love with themselves” “Insecurities, peer pressure, low self-esteem” “Constant pressures from society and media” “Environmental pressures from parents and friend and comparing themselves to others around them” Pop culture’s obsession with beauty gives young females a false sense of what being beautiful really is.” “Lack of self-confidence”

Survey Question #6 : 

Survey Question #6 Do you think there are long term health consequences to eating disorders? If so, what are they?

Question #6 Responses : 

Question #6 Responses “Eating disorders can ruin your teeth, and causes stress on your heart and the whole body when you are not getting enough nourishment resulting in death” “Is this question serious? Of course there is!! Death!” “Loss of periods and bone loss” “Of course, Death!” “Psychological issues, nutrition issues, and death” “Puts your body under a great deal of stress, declines physiological functioning and can lead to serious heart problems and decreased fertility.” “Losing years off of their lifespan.”

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Hollywood . . . and eating disorders. (just a few of the MANY famous people who have eating disorders)

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Nicole Richie

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Audrey Hepburn

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Paula Abdul

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Mary-Kate Olsen

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2 out of 5 Spice Girls… Geri Halliwell Victoria Beckham

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Felicity Huffman

Princess Diana : 

Princess Diana She spoke about

ALSO: : 

ALSO: Alanis Morissette Ashlee Simpson Brittany Snow Elton John Jaimie Lynn Sigler Janet Jackson Paris Hilton Kate Beckinsale Kristin Haglund : Miss America 2008 Lindsay Lohan Kate Winslet Karen Carpenter Maureen McCormick: “Marsha Brady” Paris Hilton Sharon Osborne Stephanie Pratt Tara Reid

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What are the consequences of eating disorders?

Anorexia : 

Anorexia Depression & suicide Hair loss Lanugo (body hair) Thyroid hormone decreases Low white blood cell count Heart Failure Death Slower heart rate Rough, dry, scaly skin Organs deteriorate Muscle wasting Bone loss Menstruation stops GI problems

Bulimia : 

Bulimia Depression Addiction Swollen & sore throat Teeth decay Irregular heart beat Stomach ulcers Liver & Kidney damage Muscle weakness & damage Bloating, abdominal pain

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Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness.

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2 of 5 women and 1 of 5 men would lose 4 years off their lives to achieve their goal body weight.

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At least 50,000 people will die each year from an eating disorder.

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5 - 10% of anorexics die within 10 years after contracting the disease… The mortality rate of anorexia nervosa is 12x higher than the death rate of ALL causes of death for females 15 – 24 years old.

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…and, only 30 – 40% of anorexic people ever fully recover. 18-20% of anorexics will be dead after 20 years,

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20% of people suffering from anorexia will die from complications related to their eating disorder, including suicide and heart problems.

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How are eating disorders treated?

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Only 1 in 10 people with eating disorders receive treatment .

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~ 80% of the females who have gotten care for their eating disorders DO NOT get the intensity of treatment NECESSARY for them stay in recovery. Most are typically often sent home weeks earlier than the recommended stay .

Costs : 

Costs Treatment of an eating disorder in the US ranges from $500 -$2,000 each day. The average cost for a month of inpatient Rx is $30,000 + outpatient Rx = > $100,000 Those with eating disorders need anywhere from 3 - 6 months of inpatient care. Usually, treatments for eating disorders are NOT covered by health insurance companies.

Most Effective Treatments : 

Most Effective Treatments

How to help someone you love battling an eating disorder : 

How to help someone you love battling an eating disorder

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1. Communicate concerns about problematic eating or exercise behaviors

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2. Avoid conflicts / battle of the wills if person refuses to acknowledge that there is a problem.

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3. Avoid placing shame, blame, or guilt on person regarding actions and attitudes. Do NOT use accusatory “YOU” statements like “YOU just need to eat”. Instead use “I” statements like “I am concerned about…it scares me”.

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4. Avoid giving simple solutions like “If you would just stop, then everything would be fine”.

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Most importantly, DON’T GIVE UP on them.

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Psychotherapy Psychotherapy Psychotherapy Nutritional Counseling Support groups Hospital-based/ Residential Treatment Support groups Support groups Nutritional Counseling Nutritional Counseling Hospital-based Treatment Residential Treatment Treatments

National Campaigns for Eating Disorder Awareness : 

National Campaigns for Eating Disorder Awareness

National Eating Disorders Association : 

National Eating Disorders Association

The Alliance for Easting Disorders Awareness : 

The Alliance for Easting Disorders Awareness http://www.eatingdisorderinfo.org/

The Center for Eating Disorders : 

The Center for Eating Disorders http://www.eatingdisorder.org/

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Our Mission The Academy for Eating Disorders is a global professional association committed to leadership in eating disorders research, treatment, and prevention. http://www.aedweb.org

ANAP: National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and associated Eating Disorders : 

ANAP: National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and associated Eating Disorders http://www.anad.org/

Slide 135: 

http://www.state.sc.us/dmh/anorexia/statistics.htm http://helpguide.org/mental/eating_disorder_treatment.htm http://www.sadd.org/stats.htm#eatingdisorders

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"Body Dissatisfaction and Disordered Eating Among Early Adolescents From Koreaand the US ." Sex Roles 61 (Mar. 2009): 42-54. Womens Studies International . Web. 21 Nov.2009. <http://www.springerlink.com.ezaccess.libraries.psuedu/content/g526r73735081828/ fulltext.pdf>. "Image -." TinyPic - Free Image Hosting, Photo Sharing & Video Hosting. Web. 22 Nov. 2009. <http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=29vo27c&s=3>. Digital image. Web. 22 Nov. 2009. <http://contexts.org/socimages/files/2008/10/10b9eca9b024208214b6e2036a34b4f9d0be2f4 Digital image. Web. 22 Nov. 2009. <http://www.anorexicmodel.com/images/anorexic-model-gallery/anorexic-model-1.jpg>.