Finding Common Ground

 In the article "Fat and Thin Find Common Ground" Abby Ellin addresses treating binge eating disorders along side the "typical" eating disorders through the logistics behind the benefits that would ensue due to it. Though there is much controversy about whether these disorders should be treated equally Ellin mentions how "low self esteem is extremely common in both, as is body dissatisfaction. They are both very much environmentally driven. Both place excessive emphasis on appearance and body size. In the same way, many of the same psychological underpinnings play into both.”

Not only that, eating disorders- whether it’s binge eating or restricting/purging- is a coping mechanism for people who feel their external environment is out of control. The lack of or overuse intake of food feels as if it is the one thing they have control over. Moreover, Ellin makes a very effective point at stating how by treating these as equal many of the social stigmas about "dieting to be happy" will no longer be the way the nation thinks. After all, from bulimic and anorexic patients we see that, that is not the case. Skinny doesn't mean happiness. I completely agree with Ellin in that by merging these two disorders together we may start to not only consider obesity as the growing problem in our nation. The thing about eating disorders is that it’s known as the “silent illness” because many patients stay quiet about it. Why is this? Well for many it’s shameful that their whole life is focused on what they eat and how much they exercise. Not to mention the praise that rises from so many who don’t struggle with this mental illness when one starts to lose weight! It’s like everyone is complementing you about being skinny and being “so strong” for not eating “bad foods”, surely then there really isn’t bad to be so obsessive over it, right? Wrong.

Ellin does a wonderful job at stating how by joining B.E.D and E.D the media world that is constantly putting extremely skinny people on their magazines will start to realize that it is more important to be healthy rather than skinny. All of this is in hopes that one day our nation may start to focus on healthy behaviors rather than dieting. I know in my life, I have come to see the great blessings from just trusting my hunger and fullness cues rather than focusing on my size and how many calories I consume. I strongly believe that if we as a nation start thinking “All food is good food in moderation” we may live a better lifestyle.