~ March Issue ~
 

ESHS Makes The Cut!
By Joshua Newsom, Editor

Anorexia is a disorder in which the sufferer starves his- or her- self to lose weight. Many people that suffer from anorexia have low self esteem. These people often have a lack of control in their lives, and the only thing that they can control is their weight. Anorexia is a reaction to conflicts such as anxiety, stress, unhappiness, and feeling unimportant. They often turn away from the problems in their lives and convert them into their weight. They find fault in themselves for the issues surrounding them, and the only way they can change their flaws, within their control, is weight.
            There are many ways to determine whether a person suffers from anorexia. Some of these traits include the fear of being or becoming overweight and fear or being perceived as being overweight. They also exercise frequently, count calories or carbohydrates, or constantly refer to a diet plan. In addition, they often punish themselves for breaking a diet plan or eating “unnecessarily”. Bulimia and anorexia often go hand-in-hand in the average body-conscious person.  

Bulimia

            Bulimia is most simply described as vomiting after eating. Bulimia is often performed in two actions: binging and purging. Binging is overeating, and purging is throwing up food. Many times, if the person who is bulimic does not feel as if their methods are effective, laxatives and/or self-induced vomiting will result. Laxatives are usually used when someone is constipated, but bulimics use them to force themselves to digest their food or throw up. Self-induced vomiting is also common, which involves forcing an object to the back of the throat. This makes the person gag and eventually vomit. Neither method is safe. When a person throws up, the mucus in their throats and stomachs, along with acid, is forces into their mouth. This leads to damage in the throat and tooth decay.
            Bulimia is not only a “girl disorder”. Many boys in sports resort to weight loss to make weight. Girls need a certain amount of fat in their bodies to be able to have children. However, neither gender is safe.  

If You Have An Eating Disorder

            Do not feel as if you have to lose weight. Listen to your friends when they encourage you to change your eating habits, because they care about you. There are other ways of losing weight and being in shape. You should think of the consequences that could occur later on in your life. For example, women need a certain amount of fat in their bodies to be able to produce children. Starving yourself may be your answer, but is it really worth it?  

If A Friend Has An Eating Disorder

            Do not try to push them. Try to mention once or twice of your concern for their health, and then leave them alone. You, and your friend, know what being pushed around is like. Teenagers naturally rebel. Don’t try to push your friend into anything. Ashley Lankhorst said, “Yeah, I would tell.  I wouldn’t want them to continue to go down the path they’re going down, because it could have severe consequences.” Even though you are trying to help them, you could end up pushing them away, which would defeat any chance of you getting through to them. If matters get worse, tell a teacher or parent. Elora Montgomery says, “No [I wouldn’t tell], because it’s their business. I’d try to help them myself and tell them how beautiful they are. If it got serious, yes [I would tell].” Your friend might be angry with you at the time, but they will thank you later for saving their life.