CNN Health reports that the average age for eating disorders is dropping, so that children as young as 7 are requiring treatment for anorexia and other disorders.
I was very pleasantly surprised to see a lot of references in here about how our fat-hysteria is impacting children negatively. A mainstream news organization very rarely wakes up to the idea that body judgement might be doing serious harm.
Quote:
"Our culture serves up such a vast smorgasbord of body judgments, is it any wonder that so many kids are unhappy with the way they look?"
The news itself isn't positive; the epidemic increase in eating disorders in children is absolutely devastating and the human element of personal stories from kids and parents really drives home the feelings of helplessness and fear surrounding these disorders. But the issue is treated with a very considerate touch and not as an excuse for hate.
Finally...they're getting it. Well done CNN and Margaret Renkl.
A blog about fat, body acceptance, social justice, science, and occasionally politics. Please read the comments policy before leaving comments.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
1 comment:
All comments may be moderated. If you think you're entitled to free speech, you are, on your own blog. This is my blog. I have opinions that are often subjective, and as I'm not running a documentary or research organization, there's nothing wrong with a little subjectivity. I also have the right to not approve or delete comments I find mean-spirited, idiotic or encouraging what I consider objectional, dangerous, or plain stupid practices (such as weight loss or cosmetic surgery, changing your body to please others (i.e. "dieting"), spreading hate, etc.). If you voice disagreement with anything I say, and you do it in an intelligent matter with clear research citations to your claims and conclusions (popular media articles don't count) I will probably allow the comment. I will also probably debate you and try to refute your claims. If at any time that devolves into stupidity or attack, I will start deleting your comments. If you disagree with what I say by spouting pseudoscientific popular opinion, displaying prejudice or hate, or otherwise acting like an ass-hat, I will delete your comment. That's pretty much the policy, subject to change without notice :-)
Sadly, I blew quite a few sanity points looking at the comments. Seems many people are willing to let a few kids starve themselves if it means they still get to berate the slovenly fatties. (sigh)
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