To Eat or Not to Eat: A Comparison of Anorexia and Obesity

In many other countries, to be skinny enough to show off one’s bones would mean that they are living in poverty; while an excessive amount of weight would show that the individual lives in a higher class in society. In America however, these two body types have been elevated into two of the leading causes of death amongst our population; not as a sign of societal class, but as diseases.

Anorexia - which stems from “Anorexia Nervosa” - is an illness in which a person has an intense fear of gaining weight, and is often corresponded with a distorted perception of their own weight and body shape. According to many psychologists anorexia is believed to have the highest mortality rate then any other psychiatric disorder (about ten percent of the people who are diagnosed with anorexia die from anorexic-related causes). There is also a higher rate of suicide amongst the anorexic-diagnosed population then the general population; with suicide being the primary cause of death for anorexics.

Obesity is a condition in which the person’s natural energy reserve is drastically increased to the point that it creates a risk factor (when the body mass index is over 25% body fat in men and over 35% body fat in women) and leaves the body pervious to other health conditions. Complications comprise of cardiovascular problems such as congestive heart failure and pulmonary embolism, as well as respiratory problems like asthma and hypoventilation. Other complications include an increasing vulnerability to stroke, urinary incontinence and fatty liver disease.

Physical anorexic traits include the visibility of the bone structure of the individual, with very little fats and muscles (in many cases even no visible muscle or fat at all). Because of the severely low amount of muscle, lifting many objects becomes nearly impossible for anorexic people.

Physical obese traits include stretch marks on the shoulders, the abdomen, around the pectorals, and along the thighs and knees. Also, high amounts of fat become stored around the neck and chin areas; creating the image of multiple chins. The large amounts of fat stored in the many areas of the body makes it difficult for obese people to bend forward and to move at high speeds.

Anorexia, in part, is developed because of society�s promotion of a self-conscience individual. Countless teenagers are constantly bombarded with the promotion of the ideal American being thin with demanded characteristics and traits; this declaration of the media is the leading cause and impression amongst teenagers that convince them to take drastic actions to become dangerously thin. Individuals with high levels of obsessive, restraint and clinical levels of perfectionist traits (most common amongst teenage females and male homosexuals) are most likely to become anorexic.

Obesity is developed primarily by individuals who either oppose society or by those who society has shunned. Where as in popular media anorexia is promoted, obesity is equally ridiculed. Obese children, teens, and adults face many social stigmas including many negative stereotypes such as the common belief of being lazy, dirty, and even being evil (many “religious” images shout gluttony, the second of the seven deadly sins, when confronting obese individuals). Also, society has painted a bulls-eye on the chest of obese children; as they are often targeted by bullies while being shunned by their peers. The media even uses obese characters in cartoons as comedic relief, with the fat character often getting stuck between narrow spaces.

In conclusion, Anorexia (a mental illness) and Obesity (a physical condition) have different effects on the human body; as well as different attitudes within society and popular culture, but in the end both are severe problems that must be dealt with accordingly. To Eat or Not To Eat: A Comparison of Anorexia and Obesity

In many other countries, to be skinny enough to show off one’s bones would mean that they are living in poverty; while an excessive amount of weight would show that the individual lives in a higher class in society. In America however, these two body types have been elevated into two of the leading causes of death amongst our population; not as a sign of societal class, but as diseases.

Anorexia - which stems from “Anorexia Nervosa” - is an illness in which a person has an intense fear of gaining weight, and is often corresponded with a distorted perception of their own weight and body shape. According to many psychologists anorexia is believed to have the highest mortality rate then any other psychiatric disorder (about ten