Eating disorders have sadly become increasingly prevalent in Latinas across the country. A recent study in the Journal of Adolescent Health has found that Latinas suffering from eating disorders are on par with their Caucasian counterparts. The study was conducted with nearly 2,000 young Latinas between the ages of 11-20. It found that "Body dissatisfaction, negative affectivity, substance use, and low self-esteem were all positively correlated with eating disorder symptoms."
Eating disorders are the third most prevalent disease among American adolescents. And while it once seemed that Latinas were relatively immune because of a more positive attitude towards a fuller figure, recent studies suggest that this is not the case. As more and more young Latinas seek to assimilate into American society, the values of a highly mediatized culture which emphasizes thin as the most attractive asset on a woman is having a detrimental effect on the community.
Indeed, as PBS reports, "it appears that eating disorders among Latinas may be related to acculturation. Thus, as Latina women attempt to conform to the majority culture, their values change to incorporate an emphasis on thinness, which places them at higher risk for bingeing, purging, and overly restrictive dieting."
It is helpful to have a definition of these conditions. Annorexia, or formally 'Annorexia Nervos' is a condition in which the patient's incesssant pursuit of being thin and an unrealistic idea of their own body size leads to over-exercizing, extreme dieting or not eating. Bulimia has a similar basis as anorexia, but it involves period of 'binging and purging', or eating large amounts of food followed by vomiting. Both carry serious health risks and, as in Karla Alvarez' case, can be fatal.
If you know someone who you think might be at risk, look for the following signs:
- Obsessing about dieting/being thin
- Constantly talking negatively about their body/size
- Talking about calories, fat, carbs all the time.
- Getting anxious around food.
- Eating excessively or skipping meals regularly.
- Panicking if they can't work out.
- Excessive thinness or weightloss.
- Dehydration.
If you witness this behavior in yourself or a friend, don't wait to reach out for help. The National Association for Annorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders is a fantastic resource for how to get help. You can call them on 630.577.1330 or email them at anadhelp@anad.org. This link contains incredibly useful information on how to confront someone in a helpful, supportive manner. Remember, Latina love curves. As a fellow Latin Times reporter puts it, having a "Latina body" means that you've got great curves, a very proportionate waist-hip ratio and most of the time, great boobs." So embrace it.
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