Blog
March 16th 2010 | 2
Eating disorders don’t discriminate
Whenever someone talks to me about their exercise routine my seemingly comical response is, “I’m vastly inactive.” As many laughs as I get, it’s sadly true.
Between being a university student, working two part-time jobs and trying to have a social life, getting my sweat on doesn’t happen. Plus? I’m plain lazy.
Add to this equation my adoration of coffee, chicken wings and any kind of salty/sweet confection and I should be excessively large. (Side note: I wrote that sentence while eating peanut butter and jelly M&Ms.)
Yet genetics and dumb luck have integrated over the years and I’ve maintained a weight, size and appearance that I’ll strut happily in anything from skinny jeans to summery skirts. It’s by no means perfect, from my ski-sized feet to my Ukrainian hips to my not-so-Megan-Fox-like-abs, but most days I’m happy with what I got.
I appreciated my body confidence and mental health a little more after attending a Lunch and Learn event about the prevalence and impact of eating disorders in Manitoba this week.
Hearing Elaine Stevenson tell the story of her late daughter Alyssa’s 12-year battle with a combination of anorexia, bulimia and purging that eventually contributed to her death at 24 years of age, drove home the fact that disordered eating can touch any life.
As reported by Statistics Canada, in 2002 1.5 per cent of Canadian women between 15-24 years old had an eating disorder. Despite loving families, great friends and intelligence, eating disorders increasingly capture the minds and bodies of beautiful men and women.
The provincial government recognized Manitoba’s programming and infrastructure was severely lacking in providing substantial treatment to those in dire need by implementing a six-month pilot project in the form of The Provincial Eating Disorder Prevention and Recovery Program in September 2009.
Run through the Women’s Health Clinic the program accepts patients by self or doctor referral for therapy through groups and workshops tailored to address concerns from nutrition to self-esteem to creating change.
With all 2010 spring session groups full and the intake process beginning for fall classes, the program is still waiting for the official word next week on whether or not their funding will be extended.
Those working within the program state they are optimistic that the funds will be there and I sincerely hope they’re correct.
In a society where thin continues to be ‘in,’ the hottest actresses are waifs and Weight Watchers is still in business, I can’t fathom a better way to spend a big piece of Manitoba’s Healthy Living budget.
Discussion
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Working out is good for your heath, too, not just your appearance. Even people who are happy with their bodies should get the sweat on once in a while. Your heart, brain and lungs will thank you — and you’ll feel as good as you look!
– Jen | March 18th 2010 at 8:22am | Link
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Purging and some drugs assist, and are widely used.
It is a trend that will continue.
