Have you ever thought that your body wasn't good enough? Have you ever watched television or looked at pictures in magazines and seen people who you thought were better than you because of their weight? Do you feel guilty or disgusted with yourself when you eat? If you have, you could have an eating disorder. You aren't the only one; over nine million people in America are suffering from the same problem. However, this is a problem that you don't want to have. Eating disorders can be avoided by creating a high-quality mindset for yourself, eating healthy foods, and exercising.

As an American teen, many feel that they have an image to live up to. In the media, we see people that are considered “beautiful.” Can we really put an image with beautiful? Isn't it an opinion? We have been taught that thin is beautiful and fat is ugly (Eating Disorders: Current Issues, 1); many teenagers have become engulfed in the world of looking like celebrities in order to be accepted and loved. This kind of attitude can be taken so far that it becomes an eating disorder: a disease that should not be taken lightly. Even though it does an extreme amount of harm to the body, it also becomes an emotional journey for the victim. The obsession with looking perfect and being as thin as can be life-threatening. If teens would learn that what they are seeing on television and on the internet is not real, and is not necessarily “beautiful,” it would help them to lead a happier and healthier lifestyle.

Anorexia nervosa and bulimia are two of the most well-known and common eating disorders. In many cases, the victims of these deadly monsters are able to heal over time. Nonetheless, these sicknesses can sometimes lead to hospitalization and even death. About 20% of people diagnosed with an eating disorder require hospitalization to overcome their disorder. Starving yourself is not the answer to losing weight. The appropriate fixation would be to eat healthier foods and be more knowledgeable about what you are putting into your body. Of course, certain foods will cause you to gain more weight, but there are other foods that are necessary for your body to function properly. There are many ways get yourself into better shape without starving yourself and hurting your body.

Some people think an eating disorder means “starving yourself.” This being partly true, being overweight or obese can be considered an eating disorder as well. Exercising regularly is extremely important to maintain a healthy weight. Adding this with healthy eating could cause the statistics of eating disorders to drop dramatically. It may not seem very exciting, but exercising could have incredible long-term results for your life.

Thinking, eating, and exercising properly are only some decisions that will help lower the rate of eating disorders in our country. Even though only 4.5% of adults are affected by them, they are still incredibly dangerous. Wouldn't it be better for that number to be zero? Eating disorders are not cool, healthy, or safe. They are deadly. You can develop so many physical and mental problems from having one. If you have an eating disorder, or think you might have one, take control of it right away by being smart and not letting media or anything else affect the way you think about yourself.