eating & thriving

By Andy Nguyen

Eating disorders have a big effect on many students' normal school lives, and having a meal is of primary importance for health benefits and other factors. Although common health conditions for students are types of eating habits, diets, and disorders.

Students are usually still young and already developing strategies to eat their meals.

According to Global News, “How COVID has contributed to a surge in eating disorders in young children” by Jessica Patton, the occurrence has been labeled as “Shadow Pandemic,” by doctors and health staff because it indicates something is not bright through the darkness, in-directing it towards children. It affects many children’s socialization skills and limits their outdoor activities, leading to a higher chance of having an eating disorder.

Furthermore, the statistics have shown a trend of high peak cases in Summer and into the Winter of eating disorders. So, staying at home, such as quarantine, means more screen time on the Internet. Students will find all sorts of information online to overthink about their mental health and physical appearance more carefully and strictly. The exposure on the media influences the children, through teens, and onto pre-adults on how they manage their images towards school.

Eating disorders can be hard to differentiate. There are many sensitivities that an individual may feel and could be peer pressure, low self esteem, picky eating, or guilt.

One of my close friends, Starr Pen, has experienced having an eating disorder and how I was there for her struggles throughout high school. She experienced, “Anorexia, losing weight, a disorder that fears being overweight, that’s what it mostly is.”

“The symptoms I normally got were dizziness, fainting, stomachache, and vomiting.” She added.

Having an eating disorder results in no good, it affects both physically and mentally for her. “I physically felt weak and my head was getting hot.” and “I mentally felt depressed most of the time, and also had anxiety.”

There are situations that have affected and impacted students all the time.

There is faith in aiding towards eating disorders. “I got help from the doctor and they took some check-up tests on me. The doctor and health staff prescribed me with some medication to help me.” Being able to get medications are vital towards mental and physical health. There should always be support with these circumstances and how eating disorders are treated.

Students who are currently dealing with this should be trusted with care and positive motives. “If someone is suffering from this condition, I would give them tips and explain to them about my eating disorder. I would also help them through it all and tell them that they are not alone. I believe that helping someone step by step can make them happy. I want to wish them good luck and that they can do it.” Pen expressed and encouraged.

Such as eating delicious foods as a daily diet, this creates better health consumption. It improves our digestive systems into a healthier result and resulting in better appearances for our bodies.

The behavior of these conditions no longer involves during thoughts, but with natural actions that causes an individual to change their eating habits.

The actions of curing an eating disorder is definitely challenging, although there is no stopping where you wish to become the best of yourself and you should eat without an empty stomach. Leave a smile on your face because you did it.