Last summer I had a friend with an eating disorder. It took me a while to realize it, but after a while I noticed that even though she was probably the thinnest person I knew, she still always seemed to be concerned about gaining weight.While I was extremely concerned about her, I felt handcuffed. I had no idea what I should say or do, so I tried to overlook the problem. She and I talked a few times about her disorder, and I did my best to be sensitive, but what shocked me was how common she made eating disorders seem. It scared me to think that what she told me was true, that so many people do indeed suffer as she did.
By the end of the summer, I was constantly thinking about the problem my friend had and I wanted to do something, anything, to help her and anyone with a similar condition.
In my time at Dartmouth, I have seen very little attention devoted to this issue. When someone has spoken out on this dreadful problem, there has been very little response and, consequently, discussion ends and the problem continues to grow. This must end.
Anyone who has had any experience at all on our campus would agree that eating disorders are a huge problem here. In an April 1991 survey, 80 percent of Dartmouth women claimed to know someone with an eating disorder. National surveys have shown that as many as 30 percent of college-age women may have eating disorders.
Why?
We've asked this question over and over again, and there are more theories out there than I care to discuss. But it certainly isn't difficult to isolate a few resounding themes.
Almost no one could deny that women today grow up with unrealistic images of the "perfect" body. Inundated with commercials, music videos and movies that feature these ultra-thin models, our society has adopted an extreme sense of what the ideal body image should be. We easily forget that the Cindy Crawfords, Kate Mosses, and Naomi Campbells have body types that represent a minuscule percentage of the female population.
Now add to the mix the accelerated, success-driven environment that we call Dartmouth. There is great pressure here to be the best in everything -- including appearance. Aside from juggling their academics, athletics and extracurriculars, women here must deal with the everyday pressure to be thin and have the "look of success" (whatever that may be).
An added variable to the equation is our dominant Greek system. I am certainly pro-Greek in the fullest sense; however, one cannot overlook some negative aspects of the system.
We come to Dartmouth starting anew, trying to make new friends and find our niche in Hanover's little society. And one of the first things that women in particular find is the "meatmarket" scenario, which, in many cases, is ever-present on our campus. This is hardly specific to fraternity houses, but regardless, it contributes to the pressure felt by women to have "the look" which makes them stand out in a crowd.
Women's Resource Center Director Giavanna Munafo points out that if women come to college without strong self-esteem, it is "very easy to buy into a system where [people are] evaluated on the basis of appearance." As simple as this statement may sound, it probably hits the nail right on the head.
How do we instill a greater self-worth in women today? Why do so many people feel inferior? There are no easy answers to these questions, and as a man with little experience dealing with eating disorders, I certainly have no solutions.
As a weekly columnist, I try to present evidence and arguments and then advocate something. What's to advocate here? It is ridiculous to attempt to bring politics into an issue like eating disorders. Ultimately, we would alienate the very people we want to help.
But on the other hand, there must be some changes in order for this problem to subside.
One thing specific to Dartmouth that could change is the freshman meal plan. Currently, under the 10 or 14 "punch" a week plan, freshmen are pressured into eating at certain times, and in some cases, at certain places. This can foster abnormal eating habits and certainly doesn't help someone who has an eating disorder.
Marcia Herrin, a counselor at Dick's House who deals with many cases of eating disorders, agrees that the freshman meal plan should change. In her experience, the current plan contributes to the problem.
I said before that as a man with little experience with the issue of eating disorders, my solutions to this problem are limited. What I've realized through researching this issue, however, is that it is exactly people like me who must begin to speak out. The more we try to tiptoe around the problem, the greater the chance that when the day comes that one of our loved ones has an eating disorder, we won't be able to handle it properly.
Men must begin to speak out on this issue and educate themselves. With this column, I hope, in some small way, to foster discussion among men. For, one day it could be my sister, or wife, or daughter with this terrible affliction. And we should also keep in mind that statistically, 10 percent of all eating disorders are male cases.
So if you suspect that someone you know has an eating disorder, take the right steps to educate yourself so that you can make a positive difference. Contact Marcia Herrin at Dick's House or blitz SAFE (Students against the Abuse of Food and Exercise). Widespread concern and action will put us on the road to a healthier society.
