Special Issue 2018

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4 special issue January <strong>2018</strong> W DEFINING DISORDERS WHEN With the relentless emphasis on body image driven by the distorted images teenagers see on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and in print and digital media, teens have lost touch with reality -- especially the range of body types that are a normal part of being human. The pressure to fit the unrealistic images of thin, cut bodies so often paraded on social media have created ideals that are damaging and impossible to attain. Being super skinny continues as a trend, and in order to achieve this look, teens will go to the extremes, including living with an eating disorder that is physically -- and mentally and socially -- devastating. According to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, at least 30 million people of all ages and genders suffer from an eating disorder in the U.S. An eating disorders is when someone’s diet is not normal or regular and they are most often tied to insecurities or stress about body image. The types of eating disorders that are most common are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. An individual can be born with an eating disorder or the medical illness can be discovered anytime throughout a person’s lifetime. “It is common to see these all in teenagers. Eating disorders do not discriminate among age, race, ethnicity, income, or anything else. They are linked to our biology, so if someone in the family had an eating disorder, there is higher risk for someone to develop one. Both environment and biology play a role. Individuals’ personality types can also have an influence; if you are more Type A or perfectionist, there can be an increased risk for anorexia,” Laura Jaramillo, a licensed counselor in Burr Ridge, Ill., who helps with eating disorders, said in a Westerner interview. Eating disorders most commonly occur during young adulthood. The journey to cope and find help can be difficult and overwhelming especially for someone of a young age. Not only is it harder to accomplish everyday tasks, but the pressure and image society has created can be crushing and brutal. Although eating disorders are treatable there can be more than just physical damage; the mental damage can be just as severe. Eating disorders often have a domino effect with other illnesses such as anxiety disorders, substance abuse, and depression. “There is no one sign of an eating disorder, however there are red flags. These can include excessive ‘fat, weight or calorie talk,’ a pattern of eating a limited choice of low-calorie food or a pattern of occasional binge eating of calorie-dense foods,” said Angela Guarda, associate professor of psychiatry and director of the Johns Hopkins University Eating Disorders Program in an essay for the American Psychiatric Association. Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder wherein an individual fears gaining weight. A person who suffers from this disorder does not follow a realistic and healthy diet out of fear of gaining any weight. Not having a healthy diet or being malnourished can cause suffering outside of just physical appearance. Anorexia can cause brain damage, heart failure, organ failure, infertility, and bone loss. Having such devastating health effects, Anorexia is the most deadly eating disorder for a person to suffer. “I don’t eat often; my energy is not as strong as I need it to be for me to accomplish daily tasks. It’s hard to communicate with others or talk about it. Many people find I do it for attention,” an anonymous student said of her struggle with anorexia. Bulimia nervosa is when an individual binge eats and then throws it up. Bulimia involves vomiting, excessive exercise, or abusing medications in order to get satisfaction for eating too much. Bulimia is one of the hardest eating disorders an individual will experience due to the fact that most of the binge eating is done in secret. Reaching out, or addressing bulimia can take some time and be extremely hard to face and look for treatment. Individuals who suffer often feel shameful and guilty for their lack of control with their excessive eating. The guilt and shame an individual may experience when they are bulimic are very similar to what an individual with a binge eating disorder might go through. People who suffer from binge eating disorder are on a roller coaster with inconsistent eating patterns. Many individuals that suffer from binge eating disorder can become obese, but it doesn’t necessarily mean someone is overeating junk food A person can consume an unhealthy FOOD IS THE ENEMY BY MARAYA ADAMS asst. editor proportion of any kind of food. Diet is like a boat; there should be a balance; having too much of one thing the boat will sink. According to a semi-annual survey conducted by the American College Health Association, 44 percent of college women are dieting to lose weight and 27 percent of college men are dieting to lose weight. Losing weight can be healthy if done for the right reasons in the right way: with the guidance of a doctor. 30 million # OF AMERICANS WHO SUFFER FROM AN EATING DISORDER* *According to National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders ZAC ABERO
W January <strong>2018</strong> special issue 5 BY KARA DEMPSEY entertainment editor WHEN STUDENTS CROSS THE DIVIDE FROM AN OMNIVORE DIET TO EATING PRIMARILY PLANT-BASED FOODS, THEY IMPACT THEIR PERSONAL HEATH & THE FUTURE OF THE PLANET Whether to improve their health, protect animals, or lessen the environmental impact of farming, 35% of Maine West students follow mainly plantbased diets, according to a Westerner survey of 239 students. While most vegetarians and vegans follow similar diets, they have many different reasons for why they eat the way they do. “I wanted to make the change after hearing of the alleged health benefits: clearer skin, more energy, and weight loss,” freshman, and former vegetarian, Ann Kalena said. Although some may make a diet change for personal health benefits, there are others that do it for ethical reasons. “I was educated on what goes on with animals. [The cruelty] is disgusting, and we don’t need it,” junior Ashley Murillo said. According to Dr. Winston Craig, professor at Andrews University and researcher for the American Dietetic Association, people go vegan not only for “concerns over animal treatment or managing weight better, [but for other] personal health reasons and concerns for the environment and greenhouse gas production,” he said in a Westerner interview While many vegans or vegetarians claim that eating plant-based food makes you healthier, that is not always the case. “My biggest challenge was being full. I had many vegetarian and vegan options available to me, but I was always hungry. I found myself reaching for bread, pasta, and processed food in order to feel full. Suddenly my goal of having a healthier diet was falling to pieces,” Kalena said. People who eat plant-based diets may experience the University of Oxford, said in a Westerner interview. Though a vegetarian diet can be seen as beneficial health-wise for many people, for others it is simply more of a hassle. “For me, a vegetarian diet would be possible, but not the best option because I have Type One diabetes. Meat generally doesn’t have any carbohydrates in it, which means that I can eat as much of it as I want without having to give myself insulin to account for it. Meat is also usually a good source of protein, which my diet was generally lacking,” sophomore Olivia Bitcon said. Many vegans and vegetarians struggle with getting people to understand why they follow their specific diet. “It was hard getting my family to see that my diet change wasn’t just for weight or fat loss,” Murillo said. As teenagers, many of us rely on our parents’ cooking and grocery buying. It can be a struggle for teens to eat their preferred diet if they don’t get help from parents. “My biggest challenge is getting my family to support me being vegetarian; they won’t buy me substitutes for things,” junior Arianna Horn said. On the other hand, there are two major problems that can be improved through eating more plant-based diets. “Scientifically there are pretty clear associations between food and illnesses. When scientists observe groups of people and what they eat, they find that more fruits and veggies is better, and red deficiencies due to a lack of variety in whole foods. There can be a lack of nutrients if fortified foods, with extra nutrients added, are not eaten. “It was hard to plan a diet that was healthy and had the right amount of nutrients and calories,” Murillo said. Many people struggle with maintaining their plant-based diets. “Often times people who follow more restrictive diets, like a vegan diet, become malnourished because they don’t know how to plan their meals. In order to plan your plant-based meals well, you need to eat everything in a measured way, but enjoy eating,” Marco Springmann, senior researcher on Environmental Sustainability and Public Health at and other meat is worse,” Springmann said. “More plantbased diets are much healthier. Vegetarians and vegans have a reduced mortality rate and reduced rate of [being diagnosed with] chronic diseases.” The other major problem that can be fought by eating more sustainable diets is the issue of climate change. “Beef and lamb disproportionately affect emissions on a global scale. Additionally, 70 percent of emissions come from [the farming and distribution of] animal foods. If everyone continues eating the animal products they do, it is very unlikely that we can stay within our goal of reducing emissions. We as a population have to make a change to mitigate climate change,” Springmann said. Eating plant-based foods can go even further than just providing physical benefits. “Being vegetarian has most definitely changed my outlook on humans in the world. I feel more conscientious and aware of my place,” Kalena said. ZAC ABERO
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Special Issue 2018

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