Hollywood is no stranger to eating disorders. The pressures of fame and maintaining one’s looks have forced more than a few actors and actresses into anorexia, bulimia, or some other eating disorder. However, eating disorders don’t just affect people with fame and fortune — even your average person can be hiding a dangerous secret.
The Price of Fame
Celebrities are known for their looks. Gaining a couple of pounds can be telling, and being on television purportedly adds a few more pounds. Most stars are on the leaner side, and six-pack abs are more or less a standard. Less than ten percent of body fat may be almost impossible to attain for the average person.
However, celebrities go to great lengths to attain specific body types. Some opt for grueling exercise regimens, restrictive diets, medication, and even surgery. The not so few that can’t stand the constant effort and pressure often develop eating disorders. Anorexia and bulimia are two of the most common (and most dangerous) eating disorders, the former responsible for cutting short the life of Karen Carpenter. Anorexia and bulimia are quite common in the fashion industry, with almost half of all models suffering from them to maintain their size zero figures.
More recently, celebrities like Demi Lovato and Taylor Swift have admitted to their own eating disorders, placing the blame on mounting pressures and the need to please their fans.
Affecting All Walks of Life
Societal pressures, low self-esteem, and adhering to unattainable standards of beauty can even cause ordinary people to develop eating disorders. Eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia are particularly dangerous, but even binge-eating can have lasting effects on one’s health. Eating disorders can lead to sugar fluctuations, lethargy, nausea, but prolonged malnutrition can lead to damaged organs, permanent muscular and skeletal damage, heart problems, and even death.
More prominent people are more vulnerable to succumbing to an eating disorder. Cheerleaders, artists, influencers — almost every role that puts a person in the spotlight (whether wanted or unwanted) can lead to an almost insurmountable pressure to maintain one’s appearance and weight. However, even less friendly individuals can suffer from eating disorders. It’s even more dangerous in these circumstances because eating disorders can remain undetected for more extended periods. Eating disorders may be more prevalent in women; however, men can also suffer from it.
Treatment Is Vital
Eating disorders are serious conditions. Like an addiction, it would take more than just the force of will to rid ones’ self of the problem. Anorexia and bulimia are particularly dangerous, requiring some form of in-house treatment and extended recovery programs. Eating disorders can have serious detrimental effects on one’s health, so don’t hesitate to ask for help if you believe a family member or a friend might be hiding the condition.
Fame might put eating disorders in the limelight. However, the undiscovered secrets in ordinary people are much more dangerous. Celebrities have a host of individuals attending to their needs, but ordinary people can only rely on the vigilance of their friends and loved ones.
