The front page of USA Today's lifetime section boasted the following stats-
"USA Today Snapshot: Medical providers rank parent-child health discussions by importance:
Weight= 90%
Safe Sex= 73%
Cigarette Smoking= 73%
Drug Use= 72%
Alcohol= 68%"
Maybe there wouldn't be as many STD's and teen pregnancies if safe sex discussions were prioritized as highly as weight. These stats are really reflective of the culture at large- weight is important, and it really, really matters. It is important to be healthy yes, and it is important that we know how to care for ourselves and for our bodies. There is certainly a place for good health. However, it is a little shocking to see that medical providers value weight discussions over safe sex, drug use, alcohol and cigarette smoking! This is a good reality check, right in time for Fat Talk Free Week which is approaching right around the corner.
I read a really amazing blog post the other day that I tweeted- (I just recently jumped back on the twitter wagon again- if you're interested, you can follow me here for ED related articles, info, quotes, etc. I don't get too crazy with twitter, but it's been fun to connect). Anyways- here is the link to the blog I mentioned. Below is an excerpt:
I think that one of the most damaging and erroneous messages that we are given by society is that unless you’re thin, you will never be enough. Sure you won a Grammy for your first CD and an Oscar for your first film, but are you thin? I understand that you are the governor of a state and that people want you to run for President, but are you thin? You’re thin now so we expect you to maintain that obsessively so that you are never not thin. You eat nourishing foods and move your body regularly, but are you thin? You’re a great mother but are you thin? You’re a successful business person but are you thin? You’re 4 years old but are you thin? You’re 90 years old but are you thin? You cured cancer but are you thin?
You are already enough. Your intrinsic value is already beyond measure. And you will not be more valuable if there is less of you or less valuable if there is more of you.
Isn't that great? I love that. To read more follow this link. Hope everyone is having a great weekend! :)
Maybe there wouldn't be as many STD's and teen pregnancies if safe sex discussions were prioritized as highly as weight. These stats are really reflective of the culture at large- weight is important, and it really, really matters. It is important to be healthy yes, and it is important that we know how to care for ourselves and for our bodies. There is certainly a place for good health. However, it is a little shocking to see that medical providers value weight discussions over safe sex, drug use, alcohol and cigarette smoking! This is a good reality check, right in time for Fat Talk Free Week which is approaching right around the corner.
I read a really amazing blog post the other day that I tweeted- (I just recently jumped back on the twitter wagon again- if you're interested, you can follow me here for ED related articles, info, quotes, etc. I don't get too crazy with twitter, but it's been fun to connect). Anyways- here is the link to the blog I mentioned. Below is an excerpt:
I think that one of the most damaging and erroneous messages that we are given by society is that unless you’re thin, you will never be enough. Sure you won a Grammy for your first CD and an Oscar for your first film, but are you thin? I understand that you are the governor of a state and that people want you to run for President, but are you thin? You’re thin now so we expect you to maintain that obsessively so that you are never not thin. You eat nourishing foods and move your body regularly, but are you thin? You’re a great mother but are you thin? You’re a successful business person but are you thin? You’re 4 years old but are you thin? You’re 90 years old but are you thin? You cured cancer but are you thin?
Enough.
Isn't that great? I love that. To read more follow this link. Hope everyone is having a great weekend! :)
Hi, just wanted to say I enjoy your blog and the insightful comments and information you have about eating disorders. I have had my own blog now for several months that tells of the daily (almost) ups and downs of living with anorexia that has taken hold of my 16yr old daughter. It is also filled with the things and tools I have learned that are needed to survive this journey. Your blog is one of my blogroll list as being helpful to both carers and sufferers. I hope you may find something in mine that may help too.
ReplyDeletehttp://mylifewithanorexia.wordpress.com/
Thanks for saying hi!! And thanks so much for reading! I really appreciate your comments, as well as your blog! I have seen it and think it is great that you are chronicling your experiences with your daughter and sharing tips and support for others who are experiencing some of the same things. Keep blogging and raising awareness! We need more people like you :)
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