Does Ana really know no cultural bounds?
May 30, 2008 by angelique
Filed under Women's Health
It’s my understanding that eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia, once thought of as psychological disorders belonging to only “rich white girls” have now successfully crossed socioeconomic, race and age lines.
However, in our part of the country (central Pennsylvania), I have yet to meet anyone with an eating disorder who is not Caucasian. In fact, most of the women of color with whom I discuss this topic are shocked at the notion of starving themselves.
I’ve met plenty of Latinas and female African Americans who totally embrace their curves and would never think of letting them go. But at the same time, I’ve met very few Caucasians who are happy with their bodies.
I suspect my experiences are the result of living in a semi-rural area. I’m certain things must be different in metropolitan regions.
What are you seeing in your community in terms of the variety of cultures experiencing high or significant levels of eating disorders?
(FYI — The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) has a wonderful page that talks about statistics with respect to this topic; if you’re interested, head over there and check it out.)
I meant to comment on this a few months ago but it must have escaped me.
I think a lot of people are still under the assumption that eating disorders are confined to a certain population. I’ve been in two different groups in two Southern cities with a very significant minority population and I generally see the same thing. Young white women from middle to upper middle classed homes who are highly educated and clearly on their way to making a mark on the world.
I’ve talked about my experience with having an eating disorder and how my culture plays a role in it (on my blog that is) and I would like to see more women of color AND men come out of the closet with their eating disorder. There is an incredible amount of shame for everyone who struggles with an ed, but I think for groups that aren’t “supposed” to struggle with food or body image issued…there is a heightened sense of sham rather it be from feeling too assimilated or feminine. Its hard to be the different one in the group but I honestly feel like sticking with recovery amidst peopke who cannot always relate is beneficial for everyone. For my group members they get to see an a different face of bulimia nervosa. For me, I get to see that there really aren’t too many differences between experiences for me and the other women. Some things vary and I do think someone who doesn’t walk around with certain privileges and a sense of entitlement would be additional support. And for the women of color who don’t show up…well whenever they start to address their pain and start the recovery process…they can walk into the room and see a familiar face and take a huge sigh of relief that this time…they aren’t “the only” disappointment to their culture. Acceptance of mental health issues is pretty nonexistent among minorities and men…so I can only imagine how much more supported I would feel knowing that someone who really gets that is taking a walk in the ed shoes and working hard to take them off.
I know a lot of black girls with eating disorders. It kinda sucks more because both sides look at you like you’re the weird one. I know it’s a rare site to see an anorexic black girl but I know so many who work out like crazy to keep those “curves”. And the curves are only allowed in certain places. So yea, you may not see super skinny black girls everywhere but things are changing and the race gap is closing.