The Frightening Comeback Of Eating Disorders

Does anyone remember when female celebrities became incredibly thin in the late 1990s and early 2000s? Celebrities like Britney Spears, Demi Lovato and Mary-Kate Olsen were all victims of extreme body-shaming from tabloids. These three celebrities developed eating disorders, possibly because of those extreme criticisms. Now, with celebrities endorsing GLP-1 drugs (such as Ozempic) and people on social media being more critical than ever before, the comeback of disordered eating behaviors is rampant.

And the scary part is: Eating disorders do not care about age, race or social class; they do not discriminate.

Colorado — a state known for its overly healthy behaviors— has one of the highest rates of eating disorders and disordered eating habits in the nation. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment experts estimate that roughly 9% of Coloradans will experience an eating disorder throughout their lifetime. Living here, I’m saddened to say that I believe this number may very well increase as the media continues to support disordered eating behaviors.

Pro-eating disorder accounts are taking over TikTok, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter). These accounts just might be worse than the pro-ana Tumblr accounts from the 2010s. It seems these pro-ana nation citizens have come back with a vengeance, and their only goal is to recruit as many young people as they can. What is even more terrifying is that parents are allowing their young children access to unmonitored social media in today’s world, which puts them at a greater risk of seeing and interacting with these dangerous accounts as well as being perceived by extreme body-shaming critics.

To help you understand how dangerous an eating disorder can be, here is a condensed list of consequences from the National Eating Disorders Association:

• Purging and abusing laxatives/diuretics deplete your body of electrolytes, which can lead to irregular heartbeats, heart failure and death.
• Food restriction and purging can lead to slowed digestion or gastroparesis, which can cause stomach pains, bloating, nausea and blocked intestines.
• Binge eating can cause the stomach to rupture, which is a medical emergency.
• From starving the body comes starving the brain, which leads to difficulty concentrating and obsessing over food.
• Severe starvation can lead to seizures and fainting upon standing up.
• Malnutrition can lead to lowered sex hormones, which can lead to a lowered sex drive.
• Low caloric consumption can lead to dry hair and skin, as well as brittle nails.

Here is a condensed list from the National Eating Disorder Association of what you can look out for when you suspect either you or someone you know may have an eating disorder:

• A preoccupation with weight, food, and caloric intake. 
• Refusing certain foods or refusing to eat in general. 
• Making excuses during mealtimes.
• Becoming more isolated and withdrawn.
• Extreme concern with body size and shape.
• Noticeable weight fluctuations.
• Fainting and dizziness.
• Feeling cold constantly.
• Cuts and scratches on the hands (as in induced vomiting).

Studies show early intervention can prevent extreme consequences, so if you or someone you know has even an inkling that someone may have an eating disorder, here are some current resources available at CU Boulder:

•  Counseling and Psychiatric Services offer a free 50-minute telehealth call with the Eating Concerns Case Management. This appointment includes discussing eating and body image concerns, exploring possible diagnoses, and learning about treatment options. To make an appointment, call (303) 492-2277.

• Wardenburg Health Center’s Nutrition Services offers the option to meet with a registered dietitian to discuss eating patterns, food preferences, your relationship with food and body image to create a personalized meal plan and provide recommendations for further care.
• You can also make an appointment with Wardenburg’s Medical Services, which consists of a comprehensive medical evaluation, an assessment of health concerns and further medical recommendations. To make an appointment with either Nutrition or Medical Services, call (303) 492-5432 or log in to your MyCUHealth portal. 

Disordered eating is no laughing matter. This mental illness takes over an individual’s entire life, including their relationships and academics. As a society, we have become so accustomed to criticising our bodies that we tend to forget our words have deep consequences.

With social media continuing to glorify extreme thinness, we need to ask ourselves, ‘Are we really moving forward from the toxic beauty standards of the 2000s, or are we simply repeating the past?’ Eating disorders thrive in secrecy and shame, so one of the best ways to combat them is to talk about it with an empathetic mind. No number on a scale or clothing size is worth sacrificing your life for. Recovery is possible, and there is no shame in asking for help. 

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