ROdown Blog
National body image + eating disorders awareness week
Body image is something I don’t remember talking about much back when I was at school, although I know it must have been there as an issue. Similarly with eating disorders – they were there, but we spoke about them in hushed tones.
I was at an all girls high school, and a number of girls got really unwell while I was there. We weren’t really sure what to do when we knew someone had an eating disorder, or even whether or not to bring up the illness or say “I’m glad you’re getting better” when someone got out of hospital. People’s eating disorders were sometimes hidden behind other less stigmatised illnesses like glandular fever. But despite any subterfuge, we knew eating disorders were dangerous illnesses that could kill.
Fast forward 10 years or so, and body image is certainly up there in terms of issues that are of concern to young people, and it seems it’s being talked about a lot more too. In fact, in a survey conducted by Mission Australia in 2008 body image was found to be the number one issue of concern among young Australians aged 11-24.
Eating disorders also continue to be a serious issue with disordered eating affecting one in five Australian teenage girls. One in four children with eating disorders is a boy.
National body image and eating disorders awareness week is all about raising awareness about these issues in the community, and providing hope and information about how people can get help and get better. There are a number of events on throughout the week nationally which you can find out about via the Butterfly Foundation website.
On ReachOut.com we have heaps of inspirational stories from young people from around Australia about their recovery from eating disorders or poor body image which you can check out in the Eating disorder section in Find.
We also have a number of fact sheets on eating disorders and body image for more information and suggestions on how to get help for poor body image or an eating disorder.
We know body image is an issue people are passionate about - for males and females. Several months ago we added a new fact sheet on male body image and you can see by the number of comments on this blog post about body image just how significant an issue it is.
Feeling more aware? Our challenge to you
Our challenge to you all is to clue yourselves up by reading at least one fact sheet or story about body image or eating disorders (check links above), and to share your favourite tips for getting positive body image here in the comments section of this blog post.
If you want, you could also share this blog or one of the fact sheets or stories using the ‘Share’ functionality at the top right corner of each fact sheet and story with one or a few of your friends to help them become more aware too.
What else is happening on Reach Out?
Other great conversions that have been happening in the ROtreat over the last 2 weeks include:
- Discussion with Lucy Howard-Taylor in the features section from last week about eating disorders and how to get help.
- Discussions about body image and looking after yourself that have been happening in the InfoBus.
TONIGHT AT 7PM ON THE ROtreat
Tonight (Thursday 3 September) at 7pm special guest Melinda Hutchings will be on the forums for a special body image and eating disorders awareness week discussion – come join us!
** remember our house rules about sharing personal information. If you have a story you would like to share on ReachOut.com about overcoming body image issues or an eating disorder, please email the Reach Out crew at crew@reachout.com.au.
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17 Comments
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Roisin - RO Crew
over 1 year ago
Reply ReportHey brittany,
Welcome to Reach Out :)
We all know it can be hard to remember to take care of ourselves properly when we are stressed out but it is important to make time.
Eating a health balanced diet, exercising regularly and making sure you get enough sleep are all really important for maintaing both good physical and mental health.
We have some great info about how to do this on our site
Here is a link to a fact sheet we have with some cool tips on how to reduce stress:
http://au.reachout.com/find/articles/stress
Here is another fact sheet that may be helpful for you to take a look at. It has some handy tips on healthy eating and feeling good :)
http://au.reachout.com/find/articles/eating-well-and-feeling-good
I hope this info helps :)
All the Best
Roisin - RO Crew
brittany
over 1 year ago
Reply Reporthey lately i have been that stressed out i haven't been eating much and my family goes off at me for it i cant really help it because i have gotten so use to it...............................any tips 4 me????
thnx xoxo :)
rainforest_eyes_87
about 2 years ago
Reply ReportHi every one i am 9mths preg an feelin so huge i have always had a eating problem since early child hood an as i grow up it got worst
what im tryin to say is that i have put on 30 kilos an have tried to lose wieght just cant lol an hope i will lose it when he is born. having this is drivin me crazy my meds make em put wieght on to so it doesnt help much more again. Im tryin to keep my head staight an mind on the straiht road to recovery i will as i have alot of surpport with me an around me
Thanks Cheers :) rain forest
Ophelia.L
over 2 years ago
Reply Report@Shizzy -
Marie-Claire
over 2 years ago
Reply Reportomg Chey, i've been waiting for something like that!!!!! that women was so brave doing that because of what the image stereotypes are now, thanks so much for posting!!
shizzy
over 2 years ago
Reply Reporti have been told i look anorexic by loads of people cos im boney and thin, ...(edit) i know thats not very healthy. any tips??
Antria
over 2 years ago
Reply ReportHey Tinkerbelle,
I guess the whole body image thing can go both ways hey! I think either way its about thinking 'am I healthy' and 'how can I be comfortable in the skin I am in'. Hope people will give you a break as well though!
Tinkerbelle_1995
over 2 years ago
Reply ReportPeps say im anerxic cause im naturally skinny and i know how much i eat more than my dad and my brother combined
Antria
over 2 years ago
Reply ReportHaha Anna, I know the feeling! I am so unfit! Its sometimes hard to think that health and beauty is about so many things - like having enough exercise to keep your heart healthy (but not overdoing it!). I have a really inspirational counsellor who is neither over or under weight, just an average weight - but what inspires me about her is she is so comfortable in her own skin! She keeps herself healthy by doing exercise that she loves (like yoga, surfing, walks on the beach, bike riding, gardening etc.), she eats good healthy food but seems really flexible with herself and she seems to be able to dress up, wear make-up nice clothes and funky jewellery one day, and another just wear jeans and a t-shirt, no make-up etc. and still be comfortable in her skin. She seems like the kind of person who is healthy and beautiful inside and out, if that makes sense?
I go through phases where I am really inspired by that sort of way of being, really self-compassionate etc....but then I find myself on a slippery slope back into poor body image! Like you say though, thin can be super unhealthy...and I know that my eating issues and being thin have left me with so many health issues that really made (and still make) me unhealthy on the inside no matter what the external looks like. I think if someone can be a plus size (or whatever society would call it) but be comfortable in their skin, have a healthy heart and keep active then that is sooo much better than making life all about looking perfect, no matter the cost to health and wellbeing.
Of course i still don't act on that belief all of the time, haha. ;-P
That article is cool - she looks really healthy and happy and I think its inspiring that she is comfortable in her skin and making a bit of a stand!
anna
over 2 years ago
Reply ReportInteresting article - and interesting to see the outrage it sparked!
I think Meke's comment about thin not necessarily meaning healthy is an important one. The woman in that picture looks like she has really good muscle tone and is by no means fat - just has a bit of extra skin around the stomach. She looks really healthy, her skin is glowing etc - I'd much rather look like her than stick thin and gray, unhealthy complexion!
I am actually reasonably slim, but am not nearly as fit as many people who are bigger than me. Not unhealthy, just not fit! Up there on the things to do :)
Chey
over 2 years ago
Reply ReportJust found this on the new's page on Ninemsn,
Id if the picture is okay that goes with the article so If a member of staff feels it not Please remove my post,thanks
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/world/857947/fat-models-belly-sparks-body-debate.
It goes to show as Antria mentioned it dosent matter where we go in the world or what age we really are there is always pressure to look a certain way and that everyone has a diffrent idea of whats acceptable or not.
Its important for everyone to expect the body they are in,as mentioned on last nights forums maybe right a feel good/diary and read through every morning,also when looking in the mirror say one postive thing,the more you replace your negative thoughts the better self esteem you will have and the more you will accept your body.
anna
over 2 years ago
Reply Reportthese are great tips Antria - I agree - theYAs who put that fact sheet together did a great job!
The 'describe yourself' challenge is great. I have tried it, and I definitely tend to describe myself more by my interests, values and goals more than the physical - it wouldn't cross my mind actually to respond to the question "tell me about you" with a physical description - I guess that's a good thing!
keep your tips coming everyone :)
Antria
over 2 years ago
Reply ReportPS: Just wanted to add, I loooove the factsheet on loving the skin you are in!! What do others think of it?
My favourite bit is the tips it gives, and these are my favourite tips:
Choose your media - Does reading magazines actually improve your life? Do you want to be a girl or guy out there only to impress a potential boyfriend or girlfriend, or do you want to be somebody out there to live life to the fullest?
This is so true! I used to read fashion magazines all the time until I realised how they were triggering low self esteem! I still like to catch up on gossip occasionally, but I find myself in a healthier frame of mind when I don't spend too much time looking at magazines.
Find your own style - Wear what you want to wear and not what is in fashion. Fashion comes and goes but we'll outlast the trends!
I always have so much respect for people who define their own style. As for me, I don't have enough money to keep up with the trends anyway, haha. Not to mention I just love being comfortable too much!!
Describe yourself - Without a single word to your physique, say good things about yourself. Try to describe your friends without how they look. Think of the good parts of them. When you come up with something, tell them! It will make their day all the better and we can never underestimate the power of our words.
What an awesome challenge! This is my absolute favourite! Has anyone tried this?
Anyways would love to hear which tips ring true for other people, and why!?
Antria
over 2 years ago
Reply ReportLOL - I love the stories about people learning to love freckles and noses, I have to agree I have always through freckles are charming and give people something special and unique in terms of looks! I also used to hate my Greeks nose, I used to get teased about it by my sister and feel so self conscious - but after awhile I took another look and decided it gives my face some character and is part of what makes me, look like me - so I think I am learning to love it. I also like the tip of what you hate someone else might love....I'm still coming to terms with people telling me I have a J-Lo bum (as a good thing), difficult to take that as a compliment, haha.
Anna, I have had the experience of differences in culture. In Australia with my family here, there is pressure to look good, lose weight, stay fit etc but when I went to Greece, my family there were trying to force feed me because by their ideals I was far too thin, haha. I thought it was such an interesting contrast.
Some of my top body image tips (and I have to admit this is probably not one of my strenghts).
1. It is ok to want to feel nice about the way you look, but not so ok when who you are becomes about how you look (if that makes sense).
2. I agree try not to have good and bad foods, good and bad ways of behaving. Just try to identifying what is important to you, what you value, what you enjoy etc.
3. Learn to listen to your body (big challenge for me!!) I think there is a lot of wisdom in the body in terms of knowing when we are hungry, full, thirsy, tired etc.
4. Celebrate difference and individualty - in others and in yourself.
5. Healthy at any weight, not thin at any cost (in other words, we are all build differently, and thin does not necesarily mean healthy!).
Oh, I thought you said five for some reason, haha. My bad. Ah well there they are anyways :-)
Chey
over 2 years ago
Reply ReportHey Everyone,
I was part of both of the InfoBus sessions and found them both Great,Im really looking forward to tonights session :).
anna
over 2 years ago
Reply Reportthey're great tips Michelle - thanks! :)
I have the same thing with freckles - I used to not be a fan, but I've had a number of people tell me how 'charming' and part of me they are - so that's fine with me!
Likewise with my nose - my brother used to tease me about it so much when I was younger, and my grandmother once even said I looked like Barbara Streisand which disturned me greatly! But, the older I get the more I realise it's a great thing to have features that differentiate you from others - I wouldn't want to look like everyone else anyway!
Another thing I find interesting is when you travel overseas how different features are valued differently - has anyone else experienced this? Sometimes it seems to be a matter of fitting into the 'look' more somewhere, whereas sometimes it's about being exotic and different. I'm off next week so I'll report back :)
So I've found it helpful to embrace what's different about my looks, and remember that what you look like doesn't define you anyway - it's what inside that counts.
The fact sheets that will be most helpful if you're looking for tips are:
- self-esteem fact sheet
- Body image for males fact sheet
- Body image - love the skin you're in fact sheet
Michelle-InspireStaff
over 2 years ago
Reply ReportHappy body image & eating disorders awareness week :-)
My fave tips for positive body image and being comfortable in your own skin are 1) not labelling foods or activites (like going to the gym) as good or bad, and then judging yourself based on this. Foods just are! and 2) what you dislike about your body someone else might love! I learnt to love my freckles when I visited Sweden a few years back. I met a young woman who was absolutely beautiful - super skinny and perfect olive skin. She told me that all her life she'd wished she had red hair and freckles just like me.