Twitter
Facebook
Reddit
Digg
Tell us what you think!Send a letter to the editor about this or any other article in The Maine Campus.
Walk into Abercrombie and Fitch and look around at the oversized photographs of half-naked men on the walls. Then purchase a clothing item and look at the half-naked, bulked up, seemingly “perfect” male specimens that grace the outside of that bag. Sexually idealized male images are popping up every place that images of women have been for years. It’s no wonder men are jumping aboard the insecurity train with the rest of us.
These distorted images, as well as eating disorders, are becoming the norm, unfortunately, which is why I commend Rachel Krautkremer, the author of the article “Dancing with Death” [The Maine Campus, April 14], for putting such an important topic in the limelight. Eating disorders run rampant on college campuses and beyond, and the University of Maine is no exception. Eating disorders are everywhere.
More and more men and women are suffering from body dissatisfaction and extreme preoccupation with weight and appearance. These disorders are caused by pressures of all sorts – family, society and the media. They can be psychological and genetic also.
The article did a great job depicting two people’s struggles with eating disorders, however, those students were both women. It’s important to point out here that men do suffer from eating disorders. Because we do not hear about or see them as often as we see women suffering does not mean the issue does not exist among men.
Most disordered eating among men occurs in the form of muscle dysmorphia, where one thinks he cannot bulk up his muscles enough and becomes obsessed with doing so. There are also sports, such as wrestling, track and swimming, that focus on weight and thus lead to males suffering from eating disorders.
Although the numbers are no where near as alarming as the statistics of how many women suffer from anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, the number of men who suffer from these disorders are increasing rapidly.
We all can do things to combat negative body image. First, we can accept that eating disorders exist. They affect millions of both men and women. Be aware of this. Be cognizant of what you say, how you say it and to whom. Don’t comment on weight, physical appearance, food eaten or not eaten, size, pounds, dieting or anything else that could potentially be damaging to someone’s feelings. Refrain from negative self-talk, like saying “I can’t eat dessert. It’ll only make me fat,” or “I definitely look horrible in these clothes today.” You are worth more than your appearance, jeans size and number on a scale.
Criticize what you see in the media. Write to editors of magazines and advertisers. Demand that what’s portrayed in the photographs be images of real people – not images of one’s imagination of perfect bodies that do not exist. Be aware of what messages are trying to reach your brain waves, and stop them before they enter and distort your view of your own body. Simply, be aware.
Redefine beauty for yourself. Reiterate every single day that you are unique and special and beautiful just the way you are. Let others be happy with the body they have by not commenting on their bodies or your own. Most importantly, become comfortable in your own skin. No matter how long it takes, and whether you do that alone or with help, make it a priority.
Angela Fiandaca is a graduate student.
