Latest news with #disordereating
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
I Was Horrified By What A Teacher Asked My Daughter To Do. His Response To Me Was Just As Disturbing.
I genuinely try to curb my mama bear instincts in most situations. So when my 15-year-old daughter Lilly climbed into our car during the second week of her sophomore year of high school and said that her health teacher was making the class keep a food journal, I fought to quiet the alarm bells going off in my head. 'It's OK, though,' she told me. 'Please — PLEASE — don't send one of your emails.' I sighed. 'Fine.' She was new to this high school and didn't want to be The Girl With That Mom. A week later, Lilly called me into her room. Her eyes were filled with tears. 'Today the health teacher said, 'I don't care if you eat just 1,000 calories a day.' I'm sure he was joking, but I don't think I can stay in this class.' She sighed. 'Also, he's making us use a calorie tracker for our food journals, the same one I used last year.' A cold fist squeezed my stomach because I knew exactly what she was referring to. I would never forget the days of watching my daughter eat less and less, turn down food at dinner, and throw away almost entire meals when we ate out, as she slipped into the trap of disordered eating. The worst part was that I knew that trap all too well. When I was her exact same age I was admitted to a hospital for anorexia nervosa. My weight was dangerously low after a series of traumatic circumstances left me reeling, grappling for a sense of control in my life, and finding that control in what I ate. Or rather, didn't eat. I was in treatment for 26 days, during which I was often confined to bed for hours due to problems with my pulse and blood pressure. After being discharged, I wanted to stay out of the hospital, but food was still one area of my life where I could exert control. Every night for over a year, I wouldn't let myself fall asleep until I tallied the calories of everything I'd eaten to ensure it was the Goldilocks amount — not too much to gain weight, but not too little that I would lose any either. Packaged foods made it easy to know exactly how much I had consumed, and I tried to eat most meals at home so I could measure and track my intake. It wasn't until I turned 16 that I stopped counting calories. I traveled to Australia that summer and quickly realized my system wasn't sustainable. Instead, I began listening to and trusting my body. I went to cafes with friends where we sipped frothy cappuccinos, then enjoyed stews or pasties for dinner and Lamingtons for dessert. Someone introduced me to TimTams, the heavenly chocolate cookies that managed to both crumble and melt in my mouth. I suddenly realized how exhausted I was by calorie tracking, and it was so freeing to fall asleep at night without conducting my obsessive tally. After that, I made it a point not to count calories, fast, or diet. I had always been athletic, but now I listened to my body and didn't try to hurt it with my workouts. When I became a mother, I wanted to make sure my children never knew the hell of disordered eating. I stopped buying popular women's magazines when I realized how they all had cover lines like, 'Lose 10 pounds this month!' in bright, bold letters. My kids saw me work out, but I kept the emphasis on being strong and using fitness to help me deal with stress. I never said degrading things about my body, never weighed myself except at doctor visits, and never demonized food in front of them. In 'Sleeping Beauty,' Aurora's parents destroy all the spindles in the kingdom after the evil fairy Maleficent says the princess will prick her finger on one and die — yet she still manages to find one. Aurora is drawn to it, though it's locked away in a tower, as if her demise is inevitable. What I didn't know then, but research is now proving, is that eating disorders may also be genetic, so, despite all my efforts, I watched a perfect storm headed straight for my daughter. Over the course of a year, during the pandemic, we moved twice, and the second time we found ourselves living abroad. Lilly attended a prestigious international school where she was bullied by her classmates whenever she asked questions and ridiculed for not already knowing the answers. Worse still, the girls who sat with Lilly at lunch threw out their meals after just a bite or two and acted horrified if she ate everything on her plate. I thought my daughter was different from me — less sensitive and more resilient — and that she would be able to handle what was happening. She had an effervescent personality and made friends wherever she went. Her uncle once joked that if it was possible to distill the essence of Lilly and distribute it to the world, there would be no need for antidepressants any more. Not only that, she was impressively strong and seemed to excel at whatever sport she tried. Instead, she began to crack under the pressure. One day, she found a calorie tracker online, unbeknownst to me, and stopped eating almost entirely. Her weight plummeted. It was terrifying for me to witness. She acknowledged her need for help, and though her struggle seemed hopeless, Lilly eventually fought her way back to health. We moved again, and the social environment at her new school was relaxed and friendly. She seemed happy and at peace, and I felt myself breathing deep sighs of relief — until she told me about the food journal and calorie tracking assignment. 'Lilly,' I said gently, after she told me about her health class struggles, 'we have to say something.' She paused, thinking for a moment, then nodded her head in agreement. First I sent the health teacher an email explaining why I was concerned and asking if we could exempt Lilly from the assignment or alter it to remove the tracker. I addressed his comment about eating 1,000 calories, since that isn't enough to even maintain weight, and offered to speak to his classes about eating disorders. He responded by saying that he didn't teach that material in his class, and of course he didn't mean what he had said, but there was no way that he would change the assignment for Lilly or anyone. I sent another email, fully aware I was quickly becoming That Mom. However, it was now about more than me wanting to protect just my daughter. In the absence of a holistic approach that included education about eating disorders, I was looking out for all of the kids who might not recognize a calorie tracker as the loaded gun it was and could, before they knew it, find themselves in the same trap that Lilly and I had once been in. I filled my follow-up email with links to articles on the relationship between calorie tracking and eating disorders, and then I hit 'send.' I didn't receive a reply. In light of how recent Lilly's recovery was and how delicate it still seemed, I decided to withdraw her from the class. Her guidance counselor, also a parent, was supportive and equally concerned about this teacher's curriculum. Calorie trackers have no place in middle or high school health classes. They teach us to look at our food consumption like a scorecard and judge whether we did terrible, OK, or excellent. Teenagers' prefrontal cortices are still developing, already making them more susceptible to social pressures and mental health issues, and assignments like these compound that risk. Although teens might find calorie trackers on their own, as Lilly did, using them in school assignments pushes them into a vulnerable — and potentially dangerous — position. There are better ways to present nutritive eating to kids and to talk about what food does for us. Health educators need to address the many forms of eating disorders that affect millions of people every year. Emphasizing how social media distorts reality is also essential. Lilly still needs to take a health class to complete her graduation requirements, and I know her next teacher might take the same approach as her last one. What then? my inner mama bear wonders, with no small amount of trepidation. Even though I hate that we both went through the same darkness of an eating disorder, I'm so thankful for our close relationship and that Lilly knows she can come to me with her struggles. I'm having to learn yet again that there's so much I cannot control, which means I can't guarantee my kids won't face challenges, but I can still try to protect them — and their friends and peers — from unnecessary peril. Joy Nicholas' writing has appeared in Business Insider, Brevity Blog, Coffee + Crumbs, and other publications. She grew up moving all over the world and is currently working on her first book, a memoir. Connect with her on Instagram at @joynicholaswrites and through her Substack Joy in the World. Do you have a compelling personal story you'd like to see published on HuffPost? Find out what we're looking for here and send us a pitch at pitch@ I Went To My Son's Class To Explain How He Goes To The Bathroom. Here's Why. My 15-Year-Old Daughter Died. I Recently Found A Box Of Hers — And What Was Inside Left Me Shaken. I'm A Teacher. Here's The Shocking Truth About The 'Woke' Indoctrination Of Students That Terrifies Conservatives.
CBC
07-06-2025
- Health
- CBC
Why #SkinnyTok videos are being blocked on TikTok
TikTok has blocked the hashtag #SkinnyTok, following pressure from European officials. According to critics, videos under the hashtag promote disordered eating behaviours disguised as health advice.
CBC
05-06-2025
- Health
- CBC
TikTok blocks #SkinnyTok due to extreme weight loss, disordered eating content
TikTok says it has blocked search results for the hashtag "SkinnyTok"due to a high volume of content that was promoting disordered eating and unhealthy weight loss behaviours on the social media platform. "We regularly review our safety measures to address evolving risks and have blocked search results for #skinnytok since it has become linked to unhealthy weight loss content," said a statement from TikTok emailed to CBC News Wednesday. "We continue to restrict videos from teen accounts and provide health experts and information in TikTok Search," the statement read. The term SkinnyTok has become widely used to describe an online subculture of influencers and content creators that promote extreme thinness. Under the umbrella of #SkinnyTok, creators make videos with snappy one-liners such as, " Skinny is the outfit," encouraging viewers to achieve their goals by following extreme weight loss advice. Now, searches for SkinnyTok will yield no results except for a message that prompts users to check out expert resources. In Canada, viewers will see contact information and links for groups such as the National Eating Disorder Information Centre and Anorexie et boulimie Québec. TikTok's decision to block SkinnyTok came after the platform noted an increase in content promoting disordered eating and unhealthy weight loss behaviours earlier this year, according to the spokesperson. In April, France's Minister of State for Digital Affairs Clara Chappaz reported the hashtag to the country's digital watchdog and the European Commission. Chappaz and French nurse Charlyne Buigues have been campaigning to have TikTok block the hashtag since April. A petition Buigues started to get the hashtag banned gained nearly 35,000 signatures. On June 1, Chappaz said in French on X: "Today, @tiktok just confirmed to me that it has finally removed this unacceptable hashtag from its platform. This is a first collective victory. I salute it."
CNA
04-06-2025
- Health
- CNA
Commentary: Social media's body goals may fuel disordered eating in young men
LONDON: From celebrities and influencers to everyday people, social media is full of content that showcases perfectly toned, muscular bodies – and how to achieve them. Having a muscular physique is no longer confined to elite athletes and body builders – it has become a widely popular aspiration. But alongside the rising popularity of this kind of content has been an increase in the pressure that both men and women are feeling to achieve a more athletic, muscular physique. This seemingly healthy trend has coincided with the detection of a new form of disordered eating. Muscularity oriented disordered eating (MODE) refers to a set of disordered eating habits driven by an excessive focus on lean muscle gain. This includes excessive consumption of protein supplements and drinks, rigid diet patterns, meticulous tracking of macronutrients (protein, carbs and fat in food) and frequent muscle checking. Unlike eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia, MODE is specifically related to muscularity and predominantly affects young men. But, as with other forms of disordered eating, MODE can disrupt daily life, harm social relationships and diminish emotional wellbeing. ROLE OF SOCIAL MEDIA Social media plays a significant and multifaceted role in MODE. While social media can sometimes offer helpful health and fitness information, social media algorithms also amplify content of extreme or visually striking bodies that garner attention. Platforms such as Instagram and TikTok are saturated with 'fitspiration' content. Posed shots and before and after photos suggest that 'fitspiration' content may be about appearance rather than health. These highly curated depictions of idealised, muscular bodies not only reinforce unrealistic body ideals, they can also foster dissatisfaction with body image, increase muscle fixation and lead to disordered forms of eating. Many social media influencers also promote unattainable body standards, unsustainable lifestyles and extreme eating habits. These include the daily use of protein supplements, rigorous tracking of macronutrients, extreme workouts and the use of drugs (including anabolic steroids) to enhance performance. Some influencers even partner with fitness supplement companies, becoming the image for a specific brand or food product. This can incentivise social media users to purchase those products and follow similar dietary habits without seeking professional advice or examining the risks. While not every fitness enthusiast is at risk of developing MODE, this intense preoccupation with muscle growth is growing. According to one 2019 study, 22 per cent of males and 5 per cent of females aged 18 to 20 reported engaging in behaviour consistent with MODE. College students may be particularly at risk of MODE due to their high use of social media and because they're often in control of their diet for the first time. MODE has been closely associated with preoccupation with body image, which is known to be linked with unhealthy, body-changing behaviours. Several other factors have also been associated with MODE. These include exercising specifically to gain weight, perceiving oneself as underweight, having a lower body mass index (BMI), practising weightlifting and using anabolic steroids. Among males, alcohol consumption is linked to MODE, while depressive symptoms were a notable factor for females. MODE has also been reported at comparable rates in many countries around the world – including the United States, Canada and Iran. PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HARMS There are many physical and mental harms that may be associated with MODE. For instance, the condition is associated with a variety of disordered eating patterns. Fixation on muscle development can trigger or exacerbate eating disorders, notably binge eating. Orthorexia nervosa – a pathological and potentially harmful focus on 'healthy eating' – is also frequently recorded in fitness communities. While women were once the main audience for the health food market, health supplements and protein products are increasingly targeted at men. According to a US study, more than 80 per cent of male college students reported using whey protein powders or shakes, and more than 50 per cent used the supplement creatine monohydrate to increase muscle mass and strength. Alarmingly, 82 per cent of anabolic-androgenic steroid users in the study were also from this demographic. Steroid use is associated with serious side effects, including mood swings and sexual dysfunction. Over-consumption of protein products can be harmful to health. While it's true your body needs more protein when you are more active, not all muscle-building products are necessarily healthy. Protein shakes, for example, can be highly processed. Some products contain artificial sweeteners and thickeners. They may also contain potentially harmful chemicals such as heavy metals (including lead and aluminium). DISRUPTIONS TO DAILY LIFE AND SOCIAL ISOLATION Over-consumption of protein products has also been linked to gut and metabolic disturbances. It's important that protein shakes and bars aren't used as replacements for natural protein sources, such as pulses, meat, fish or dairy foods. On a social and emotional level, MODE is associated with disruptions to daily life and social isolation, with the person prioritising diet and fitness plans over work, school and relationships. In one study, male bodybuilders who followed an extreme, muscle-focused diet reported they felt guilty and disappointed in themselves if they deviated from their lifestyle – with their dietary needs affecting their work. Women with MODE have reported significant levels of depression and anxiety, and were more likely to feel socially isolated. Recognising MODE as a legitimate public health concern is essential for cultivating a more inclusive and healthy fitness culture. While continuing to support efforts to exercise more and stay healthy, schools, colleges, gyms and fitness instructors should be mindful of the potential for MODE among people who are excessively focused on their physical appearance or over-frequenting the gym. More work needs to be done to identify MODE risk factors and prevent further escalation. The fitness industry should also be held to greater account for the products and lifestyles they promote.
