The demons inside

But though our thin-is-in society is a major factor in causing eating disorders, psychology also plays a role.

"Low self esteem and self-loathing plays a big role in the development of anorexia," says Megan. "Anorexics often worry a lot and are perfectionists that spend a lot of energy on thinking about what others think of them."

Pressure from society can exacerbate these personality traits – that is why in order to cure an eating disorder, says Megan, a sufferer has to be admitted to a clinic, where he/she is removed from all of society's "be-thin-or-else" cues.

"Negative and destructive thinking about oneself is a vicious cycle and when an anorexic manages to discover this it helps a lot," says Megan.

"Often an anorexic is helped if she changes her environment and discovers that there is a whole big wide world out there not just a 'catwalk', movies and models."

How to spot the signs

Eating disorders are a psychological disease, so they are borne in the thinking patterns of the sufferer. In therapy, doctors therefore first need to change their patients' way of thinking and reasoning – and this is why it's such a difficult condition to spot, and to cure.

Behavioural signs include:

  • Avoidance of eating – denies feeling hungry; avoids social gatherings where food is involved, eats in secrecy, etc.
  • Dramatic weight loss – denies the seriousness of low body weight.
  • Obsession with dieting and weight loss – compulsive weighing several times a day, terrified of gaining the smallest bit of weight, bases self-worth on weight. Physical signs:
  • Stops menstruating
  • Brittle nails
  • Hair loss
  • Lowered immunity
  • Gets cold and hot easily
  • Sleeps less
  • Fatigue and muscle weakness
  • Bruises easily
  • Constipation, dehydration and fainting
  • Eventual growth of a downy layer of hair (lanugo) all over the body, including the face (the body is trying to stay warm)
  • Heart problems, anemia, stunted growth and even death.

    Prevention and cure

    If you think you have a friend or family member that is suffering from anorexia, they will probably deny it when you confront them about it.

    "If your friend is under 18 years old, I would speak to her parents who should immediately book an appointment with a specialist at an eating disorder clinic," says Megan.

    Eating disorders can only be cured in an environment where sufferers are taken away from the pressures of our thin-is-win society.

    Preventing your child from developing an eating disorder lies in building their positive self-image and nurturing a healthy attitude to food.

    "Weight and fat should not be discussed with teenagers and young boys/girls," says Megan.

    Parents who are "fat" conscious, will transfer their fears of being fat onto their children. In South Africa, we spend lots of time outside, on the beach, which already exerts a lot of pressure on teenagers and young girls in particular to be thin. The last thing your child needs is more pressure, directly or indirectly, from you.

    "It is up to parents to manage food in their homes and from a young age good healthy eating habits should be encouraged," says Megan.

    "Parents need to emphasize health, that everyone has a different body shape and size and that happiness with self is more important than body size."

    As young women and mothers, we also need to take responsibility for ourselves – becoming victims to magazines and Hollywood propaganda is not a healthy way to live our lives. It does nothing for us or for women as a community.

    "We need to focus on what we can give as women to each other and to our planet," says Megan. "Once we do this, it'll become obvious that there are much more important things to do in life than worry about being thin."


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