It is my opinion that consumerism has created a current society that not only increases the prevalence of eating disorders, but also perpetuates them. The newest version of the Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorder, better known as the DSM-V (2013), is the first DSM to include binge eating as a mental health disorders. The unrevised version of its predecessor, was the first to include a category for eating disorders, but only classified anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa as said disorders (DSM-IV, 1994). I believe the changes in the DSM, reflect patterns of consumerism in society. Consumerism has promoted obesity and correspondingly idealized the size-zero body (Kroner, 20111; POPA, 2012).
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (2010), more than two out of three adults are overweight and one in three adults are considered to be obese. Correspondingly, youth statistics suggest that almost one in three children are considered overweight and one in six are obese (NIH, 2010). Based on these statistics, roughly 33.3% of the total population is overweight. Media, and particularly marketing within media, influences the overweight structure of our society. Within the United States, marketing strategies intentionally target youth consumers due to their impulsive decision-making in order to increase spending on junk food (Kroner, 2011). Quality of food and its availability is also stratified in the United States, making it much easier for the rich members of society to access organic and healthy foods (Kroner, 2011). The median income for American households overall is $54, 462, but lower for minorities; for example it is 35,398 for African American families and $42,491 for Hispanic families. This suggests that parents must sacrifice quantity over quality to feed their families, which leads to the purchasing of over-processed food (Kroner, 2011). The National Association of Anorexia and Associated Disorders (ANAD) (2015) reports that roughly 30 million Americans meets criteria for one of the three eating disorders. Of great concern is the fact that eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental health disorder (ANAD, 2015). Clearly this is a problem worth addressing in American society, and particularly its media where the most harm is done. The media serves to influence the prevalence of this disease by presenting idealistic and often unrealistic suggestions of the ideal body; only 5% of American woman are the size portrayed by media and advertising (ANAD, 2015). This creates a quandary where 42% girls between first and third grade want to be thinner and 81% of 10 year old females express a desire to lose weight (ANAD, 2015). The aftermath of all eating disorders is quite destructive in nature for a lot of reasons. Firstly, although only 4% of the population is diagnosed with anorexia nervosa, the mortality rate for this disease is incredibly high (ANAD, 2015). Secondly, a variety of negative health factors are associated with being overweight. Thirdly, although many children and adults are considered as overweight or obese, they confront stigma on a daily basis. Why?!?! This makes absolute no sense to me. Admittedly, I was morbidly obese as a child and weighed at least 45 pounds more than I do now as a 10 year old, so I am biased. I got so sick of the bullying, name-calling, crying, and having my petite older sister knock on neighborhood children’s doors that I started making difficult life-style changes around 11. I also had health problems where I had to get blood drawn every few months because of alarmingly high triglyceride levels; they were in the 700s. I needed to lose weight and I wanted to lose weight so I went to a nutritionist based upon severe ushering by my pediatrician. I had my first stint of vegetarianism suggested by conversations I had with my nutritionist. At one point, although I am ashamed to admit it, I was also purging. My sister and brother-in-law intervened quickly, and my difficult weight loss took on a healthier form. I learned to love vegetables, stopped drinking soda, and exercised every day. To be honest, the remnants of my childhood obesity and its bullying continue to mold my image of self. I am the first to admit that I have body dysmorphia, but I am aware of it and avoid mirrors to mitigate its negative impact. I make a conscious effort not to engage in an unhealthy thought process where I end up feeling bad about myself. I eat a vegan diet (this February is my 6 year anniversary) due to spiritual and ethical reasons that resonate deep within me and the journey I have lived as a person. To be honest, I felt out of balance each time I wasn’t practicing some sort of vegetarianism. I exercise because I enjoy it and my dog doesn’t give me a choice. I also buy vegan cookies weekly, okay truthfully it's at least 3-4 times per week, which I should cut back on more because of cost than because of calories. I also eat kettle-cooked potato chips when I have a craving. However, my journey is my own, and should by no means dictate how other people live. Meaning, eat what makes you happy and creates balance in your own lives. I share my story to create some reflection about what we as a society can do differently. I can say that words and looks were very cutting when I was overweight. I cried a lot, which is why my sister knocked on neighbors’ doors yelling at them. So first and foremost, how can we make people feel beautiful no matter their size? Stigma is such a hurtful element of our society, why can’t we just let it go and embrace differences? How can we change these media images that influence females of all ages to desire an idealistically, sometimes even impossible, size-zero body; now becoming a problem for males too? What if we got rid of shows, like the Big Losers, or at least changed the title? I mean really, who came up with that title? What if we stopped promoting dieting and just taught healthy eating or moderation? To be truthful, although I did the same thing, I was a little disappointed when Jennifer Hudson lost weight. She was a positive and realistic role-model for some young African American females experiencing problems with weight. However, her weight loss, was a healthy choice that will promote the longevity and overall well-being of her life. Obesity is a problem that negatively impacts positive health and life outcomes (NIH, 2010). There are many health problems associated with obesity, such as heart disease, chronic pain, diabetes, high cholesterol, just to name a few. Anorexia, many times leads to death. Our bodies require food as an energy source. There are also health problems associated with bulimia, such as an eroded esophagus. How can we a society portray realistic body images in the media? How can we as a society confront marketing strategies that lure American consumers’ into becoming overweight and/or obese? Can we even limit the selling or over-selling of over-processed food? Can we make organic and healthy options more appealing and affordable please? Can we advertise those options instead? What if we modeled American McDonalds after McDonalds found in Italy and other parts of the world? They serve fresh food! Really, I think our society and the the media that influences it, should promote the notion of balance and moderation when it comes to eating. How do we create balance in society despite American consumerism? How can we promote being healthy, instead of idealizing thinness and marketing towards obesity? People, and our children especially, are suffering because of unchecked media marketing and the idealization of extreme thinness. I promote that we as a society teach self-love by embracing any and all sizes. I also suggest that we stop promoting dieting, juice cleanses, junk food, and instead honor healthy balanced lifestyles. Lastly, we should make healthy eating and exercise both affordable and accessible to all income levels. I end with reminding all reading that eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness. American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-5. Washington, D.C: American Psychiatric Association. American Psychiatric Association. (1994). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-IV. Washington, D.C: American Psychiatric Association. Kroner, C. (2011). The Body Politic: Childhood Obesity as a Symbol of an Unbalanced Economy. Policy Futures In Education, 9(3), 381-391. POPA, T. (2012). Eating Disorders in a Hyper-Consumerist and Post-feminist Context. Scientific Journal Of Humanistic Studies, 4(7), 162. http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-statistics/Pages/overweight-obesity-statistics.aspx http://www.anad.org http://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2015/demo/p60-252.pdf
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