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Have you ever looked at a magazine and thought that you would do anything to look just like the models in them? If so, you might want to rethink your answer. Most teens develop anorexia because they want to look like models in magazines. Anorexia has spread greatly into young children and teens over the years and I would like to spread awareness and education towards eating disorders in schools across America.

If I could do anything to help the spread of anorexia, I would like to add education and awareness towards eating disorders in schools. The majority of anorexics are at a very young age. According to an article entitled, “How to Ignore Thin Models,” hospitals have reported that stays of children under the age of 12 related to anorexia has shot up 119% from 1999 to 2006. Additionally, kids between the ages of 12 and 25 are 90% of females who suffer from anorexia. These facts prove that anorexia greatly affects young children and teens. Furthermore, young children have negative thoughts about their body image. According to a study conducted by theUniversity of Central Florida, the majority of girls from 3 years old to 6 years old are already concerned about becoming “fat.” It was also found that after surveying 13 year old girls, more than 50% of them found themselves, “unhappy with their bodies,” in America. These facts prove that young kids are already concerned about their body image and that they should be educated before they develop an eating disorder. Young kids are already thinking about changing their bodies. According to an article entitled, “Girls Under 11 Go Without Food to Gain ‘Ideal’ Shape,” after surveying 10-11 year old children, “more than 1/3 are eager to lose weight and adopt drastic methods to gain ideal body shape.” This article also states that 14-15 year old girls are already feeling, “unhappy/depressed” and “low in confidence.” These facts prove that these kids and teens probably don’t know the effects of anorexia and are already thinking of changing their bodies. Lastly, anorexia leads to many health problems. Once someone gets anorexia, they are immediately placed in a hospital and if the patient does not get better, the heart begins to slowly weaken and they become bed ridden until they are treated properly, (SIRS Database, Topic Overview.) The Topic Overview also states that eating disorders such as anorexia can cause a “slow/irregular heartbeat, high/low blood pressure, heart failure, hair loss, tooth erosion, Type II diabetes and even death.” These facts prove that anorexia is very unhealthy and shows what can happen to many children and teens if they develop anorexia. Anorexia is occurring more and more often in younger teens and children and can change their lives forever.

There are arguments that counter my opinion. People develop eating disorders for many reasons. According to an article entitled, “Girls Under 11 Go Without Food to Gain ‘Ideal’ Shape,” young girls state that they were bullied because of they way their bodies look and they developed an eating disorder to become “in control” of the bullying. The University of Haifa also conducted a study that found a “link” between eating disorders in teenagers and a mass amount of time on Facebook, (cyber bullying.) These facts show that bullying contributes to anorexia in kids and teens. According to these facts, bullying causes anorexia.

Society has created many solutions to try and stop the spread of anorexia. Some websites have banned pro-anorexia web sites. For example, the website, Tumblr, banned blogs that promote “self-harm” including eating disorders and teen suicide, (SIRS Database, Anorexia Timeline.) Society has also created standards for models. The Spanish government decided that a model has to be at least 16 years old and have a BMI over 16.5 in order to participate in runway shows. These solutions show that society has taken notice of anorexia and has taken steps to help prevent it. I have also come up with my own solutions. One solution would have teachers report if they notice unhealthy eating habits in students and try to persuade them to get help if they are suffering from an eating disorder. According to the Schools Health and Education Unit, after surveying 83,000 students, they found that more than 30% of 10th grade students skipped breakfast and 24% of those students had also missed lunch the day before. I would also like to add eating disorders/anorexia to health classes in schools. Teachers of elementary and middle schools reported that eating disorders are a problem in schools in September of 2009, (SIRS Database, Anorexia Timeline.) I am very happy with the way society is dealing with this increase in anorexia. By taking action on these solutions, young people will know about anorexia and what will happen to them if they develop unhealthy eating habits or want to change their body image.

I would like to spread awareness and education discussing eating disorders such as anorexia to young students in schools. Many people can do things to help prevent the spread of anorexia such as making pamphlets and encouraging people to get help. I hope that society will carry on with more solutions to stop the spread of anorexia and that it will be less of a problem in young children and teens in the future.