Anorexia, not just a "white girls" disease?

United States
February 2, 2007 8:11pm CST
When most people think of anorexia, the usually see in their mind's eye some frail, waif like Caucasian girl...however, statistics say Black, Hispanic and Asian girls are the races with the highest rising cases of anorexia. And get this...a large number of MALES suffer with this disease, too! But society seems to acknowledge this, and that is a big problem. An old friend of mine who is Hispanic has anorexia. But no one took her seriously, and all she ever heard was "That's for white girls." and "You're latina. Why don't you want your curves? What's wrong with you?" It's like she wasn't taken seriously because of her race and the disease wasn't a disease, but her wanting to be like "some other race." When a specific race is generally seen as "curvy," and curviness is desired and accepted, it seems harder to grasp that this disease would affect a person of that race, but it does. What do you guys think? Are you suprised by these findings, or does it not suprise you? And if you are a person of another race that suffers from anorexia, has it been difficult to deal with your disease because of backlash from others because of your race? What about you males who suffer from eating disorders? Is it harder to be a male and suffer this way because it's a female's disease? Let's discuss. It's a serious topic and I'd like opinions from all sides. :)
1 person likes this
3 responses
3 Feb 07
anorexia IS a terrible disease...!! and its definately not only a white gurl disease...!!the phrase itself is wrong...!!! but its really hard for girls u knw....wid all that competition every1 wants to be the best....evry1 wants to outshine others....!! n they ll do this even if it mean ...harming there own body...!!on wich u dont really hav any rights...!!its ur parentz who bought u into this world...took all the painz n sufferingz n this is wat u giv them in return?? it makes me sick y these gurlz put such high standardz in front of them...!! i pride to say that i hav a good figure myself...but wen i cam 2 this country...uk...i found girlz obsessing over there weight like mad...n these girlz wer soo thin they do put the 'victoria's secret' modelz to shame...!!! but after being wid them...i too started havin the feeling that mayb even im fat...i hav to get a bit more thinner...n there4 started dieting...!!i dint last 4 dayz...ma mom noticed my skiping meals...n talked to me...!! now im bak 2 normal...n im happy the way i look...!! i treasure the pple whoo love m ethe way i am..!! im i wud only say ...stop obsessing girlz...its ur life...live a bit!!!
@manong05 (5027)
• Philippines
3 Feb 07
Anorexia nervosa is not only a white girl's disease. Serious eating disorders resulting from faulty eating habits is common too in asian women usually in teenagers and those who are in their early twenties. As long as people will worry too much about their curves, figures etc no matter where in the part of world they come from, there will always be cases of anorexia nervosa.
• United States
3 Feb 07
Very sad, and very true. However, a lot of people seem to think other races can't be affected! :( I wonder if that makes those who suffer not seek the help they need in fear of being shunned even more? Society. It's a sad world we live in. :( Thank you for your reply. :) And as for the last bit, I strongly agree.
• China
3 Feb 07
maybe but i nerver know about a statics of that caucasian girl but if you search a articles you can get ,go search journals for you keywords
• United States
3 Feb 07
Haha. I wasn't actually "asking" if it was, but just posing the idea that so many people seem to think. It's so sad. :( Thank you for your reply!