Eating Disorders Awareness Week

Katharine McPhee battled bulimia before going on to be the American Idol runner-up in 2006.
Katharine McPhee

The week of February 24 - March 1, 2008 marks National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, so Kidzworld has put together a list of facts you should remember the next time you start freaking out about your body.

Stop Trying to Look Like Celebrities

  • There are three billion women who don't look like supermodels and only eight who do.
  • The models in magazines are airbrushed - no one, not even models, look that good without some help!
  • Marilyn Monroe wore a size 14 and is still considered one of the most beautiful women in history.
  • If Barbie was a real woman, she'd she would be six feet tall and weigh 100 lbs!
  • If female mannequins were real women, they'd be too thin to have babies.
  • The average American woman is 5'4" tall and weighs 140 pounds. The average American model is 5'11" tall and weighs 117 pounds. Most fashion models are thinner than 98% of American women.
  • A psychological study in 1995 found that three minutes spent looking at a fashion magazine caused 70% of women to feel depressed, guilty and shameful of their bodies.

Some Scary Stats

  • 42% of first to third grade girls want to be thinner.
  • 81% of 10 year olds are afraid of being fat.
  • 51% of nine and 10 year-old girls feel better about themselves if they are on a diet.
  • Without treatment, up to 20% of people with serious eating disorders die. With treatment, that number falls to 2-3%.
  • About 50% of people who have been anorexic develop bulimia or bulimic patterns.

Click here to check out some great resources on eating disorders.

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Comments

love2beme:D

love2beme:D wrote:

Ma frndz tell me I'm thin... But watch I feel is right opposite!!!
commented: Wed Mar 07, 2012

The lost cause
i used to be like that. past tense USED.
commented: Wed Mar 07, 2012

kidthesick

kidthesick wrote:

Wow...When I look at someone skinny skinny...I feel like im gonna break them! -.-'
commented: Mon Feb 27, 2012

there are 6 more comments

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Do You Worry About Your Weight?

  • Yes, I always think I look fat.
  • Sometimes, but I try not to obsess about it.
  • Never. I'm healthy and look like a million bucks.
  • No, but I have friends who do.

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