Viewpoint

T-shirts? If only eating disorders were that simple

As a recovered anorexic and bulimic, I understand the impact messages and attitudes such as these can have on women who are struggling with an eating disorder. After years of dealing with these issues as a high school student and undergrad at the University, I have dedicated a significant portion of my time and energy in the last few years to eating disorder awareness and prevention issues on campus. To say the least, I would not wish an eating disorder on my worst enemy.

Contrary to what many people think, there are more women with eating disorders on this campus than you may expect. Recent studies have shown that up to 15 percent of college women suffer from a diagnosable eating disorder and up to 80 percent exhibit some sort of disordered eating behavior and/or body image problems. This means that approximately 10,000 University undergraduate women have, at the very least, negative feelings about body image. This is not a trivial issue. Just because Rosie O'Donnell has a talk show does not mean that there is still not widespread discrimination against overweight women.

Eating disorders can cause serious health problems, such as osteoporosis, heart problems due to electrolyte imbalances and infertility. And they have higher mortality rates than any other mental health issue.

Even if you don't see the overt message, think about the subversive messages women receive every day - 400 to 600 messages on eating/body image alone. Magazines, TV commercials, billboards, newspapers - they're everywhere. We are fat phobic in this society, with many of us programmed to think, by the diet and entertainment industries, women's magazines and the general media, that fat = bad = sinful = unattractive. Fat is a nutrient that we need in our diets, a fact many of us seem to forget. These diet and entertainment industries are making billions of dollars by "feeding off" of women's insecurities.

This is a men's issue too. Do you have sisters, female friends and girlfriends? Do you intentionally treat them disrespectfully and make fun of their weight and appearance? How many do you know that are very careful about their fat intake, count calories, must go to the gym, or are overly concerned about being fat? How do you think they are internalizing these messages? They may not have a diagnosable eating disorder, but are certainly affected by the prevailing pressure to be thin. Ignorance of the potential negative impact on women is not a viable excuse. Men, be aware of what your words and judgements are doing to the women in your lives. Choose to be a solution to the problem. Just because you can't experience this pressure to be thin from the point of view of a woman does not mean that this pressure does not exist.

This t-shirt is more offensive and harmful than if a t-shirt made fun of men because men are not as affected by this "thin stereotype." Ninety percent of eating disorder cases are women. Bottom line: Men are not judged as harshly on their looks and weight as women. This t-shirt is obviously not going to "cause" someone to have an eating disorder, but it is certainly disrespectful and a small element of larger media messages concerning weight expectations of women. In a broader look at women's issues overall, it's conveying a message of disrespect, objectification and degradation.

You may think I am making a big deal out of nothing, but the woman next to you may not. She may be identifying with this letter even though she's never told anyone about her body image/food issues and wondering what she can do to get better. It's for these women, and those who care about them, that I write this letter. I want everyone with a problem related to food and body image to know that you don't have to live like this. You can get better and find the help you need. CAPS (764-8312) and UHS (764-8325) are good places to start.

Chances are you know someone with an eating disorder. It may be your sister, your best friend, your girlfriend. Are you fed up yet? You should be.

- Michelle Bolek is a Public Health student and founder of SPEAK (Students Promoting eating disorder Education, Awareness, and Knowledge). She can be reached via e-mail at mbolek@umich.edu

11-03-99