Most of the eating-related health problems of people in our society occur because the conditions in which we live are different from those in which our species evolved; for the US specifically, our society promotes thinness at the same time it assists in making its citizens overweight.
visit some pro-ana, pro-mia, EDNOS, and recovery sites, and discuss your views of body image and treatment of and reasons for eating disorders. Some blogs include: https://gettingthinsoon.wordpress.com/tag/pro-mia/; http://angelaelackey.blogspot.com/; http://www.danileekeogh.blogspot.com; http://everywomanhasaneatingdisorder.blogspot.com/. How does overeating fit with other eating disorders?
Also, think of some of the coverage of celebrities’ weight and appearance – Giuliana Rancic, the E! TV host, comes to mind for the attention regarding her thinness. She maintains that she has a high metabolism and that the cancer suppression drugs she is taking (which usually slow the metabolism) are causing her to lose more weight. However, here is a link to her diet blog, which was later removed: http://bodyfitnessgain.blogspot.com/2011/09/giuliana-rancic-workout-routine-and.html. To me, this does not seem like someone with a healthy body image, especially if that person is clearly underweight (which she has always been, she is just thinner now). Do you think denial of eating disorders by public personas is helpful or hurtful for adolescents? Do you think that, if those in the public eye shared their stories and admitted to disordered eating and the pain that accompanies it, would there be less stigma associated with these diseases, and would sufferers feel more comfortable asking for help?