Black women/girls and eating disorders?

Question

Are there any black women/girls suffering from an eating disorder - mainly anorexia? I'm just curious because as much as I hear about women and girls suffering from the disease, I rarely hear anything about black women suffering from it. Is it really that uncommon?

I was wondering if you're a black girl or woman, or even man, suffering from anorexia or bulimia (and you don't mind posting here) could you tell me what you think about the lack of awareness about it? Do you think there should be more said about other ethnicities suffering from the disease in addition to what we hear/know already?

If I'm misinformed, please tell me so with sources. It's just something I don't hear much about.

*my intent is not to make this into a race issue. hopefully, no one takes offense*

That's the thing, though. There's a lot to be found about how obese black women tend to be. That info is all over the place. I'm just curious about the opposite end of it, the anorexia/bulimia issue. I'd like to know more about that.

Thank you to those that took the time to answer.

Answer 1

me, I'm proud of that.
but anyway, not only is being fuller figured accepted in our society,
but the idea of being bone/rail thin is looked down on. It goes both way.
plus, I feel alot of black women dont look up to super models and the "toothpick pack" because none of them look like us or even reflect out lives.
Go figure huh?

Answer 2

I'm a Child Care Health Coordinator.. and i can say this much.. in children minorities suffer a higher obesity rate than majorities... and the majority, although they still have a moderate obesity rate, tend to have more of the eating disorders on the other end of the spectrum. most likely this trend continues on into adulthood, but i can't say for sure because i haven't studied that, since it is not my trade... there is less education about bulimia and anorexia in minorities because there are less incidences of it.. my sources are mostly hard copies of things (books, studies, surveys.. that sort of thing) but I'll see if i can't find you an online source real quick.

here's a site on obesity, it shows white children at 25% and African American and Hispanic children at 33%
http://www.annecollins.com/obesity/statistics-obesity.htm

Answer 3

I think african american women dont really fall, into the anarexoic trap as much beacuse it was acceptable for black women to be bigger, after all no one wants a slave that prettier/skinnier then the Master's wife? thats pure speculation on my part. But I believe in their culture and hell even the racial distinction black women are by nature and breeding from larger boned stock then us wee little white girls. Note I am not saying all black women are fat, I am saying that through the inter breeding of slaves with larger boned slaves the natural course for the bloodline was too get bigger. and from the 30's- the 80's the african culture has never really been "forced" the way white women were to be skinny, to fit that ideal european modle that didnt eat alot, didnt drink alot or for that matter do anything alot beacuse the "are unto delicate flowers" to put it one way. I am not saying that black woemn can not be delicate just thats wasn't the way it worked then. But thats my theory for what lead up to this, IN the african american culture the way it is today women are taught far more the white women that "G-d made you this way, who are you to go chaneing what he had planned?" and other such sentiments. They are taught more clearly that being bigger is beautiful, healthy and a socially exceptiable.

Answer 4

Weight is a BIG issue with the females in my family(all the way back to mygranmothers& great aunts!).If you are a fat female in our family you are chastised,chided,and looked upon with disgust/distaste.I've always had aweight issue and still do(I starve myself,overexercise...pretty much do anything to lose weight.My 2 sisters are the same ,my mother is also this way.I have a few friends(that are also black)that also have this problem....I think the reason it's not publicised as much because of politics and racism.Blacks only seem to be publicised when it's an issue of violence or self depreciation.

Answer 5

it is the situation with eating subject concerns... people in easy terms comprehend this variety of eating subject concerns the place you drop some pounds, and not the kind the place you benefit weight. 60-70% of folk have an eating ailment the place they devour too plenty and benefit WEIGHT and are clinically obese or obese. no less than, morbidly obese people have an eating ailment, and that they make up a minimum of 10% of the inhabitants. how many of folk have anorexia or bulimia? in all risk decrease than a million% of the inhabitants, and of that a million%, how many have serious anorexia or bulimia? i comprehend many women folk who're "anorexic" yet they do it just to get interest. how lots of those with anorexia or bulimia are certainly dealing with wellbeing issues, risk of death, and so on? And evaluate that to the % of morbidly obese people who're dealing with wellbeing issues and risk of death. it truly is plenty greater. In different words, what i'm asserting is that weight problems is a extra serious and extra uncomplicated situation than anorexia or bulimia. it is very actual contained in the black community, the place 80% of black women are obese or obese.

Answer 6

Ive been dealing with a eating disorder for over 20 years now. I used to be anorexic but now im bulimic. I am not a black woman, I am white. I used to hold support groups for people with eating disorders but never came across a black woman with that problem. If ever you want to chat you can message me at, [e-mail]....I will be there for you if you need to talk.

Answer 7

I believe I suffer and have suffered from an eating disorder. My weight fluctuates. I binge eat, calorie count, and obsess over food. I obsess over exercise as well out of fear of gaining weight. I would never starve myself or make myself vomit, because I just can't abuse myself, but I could lock myself in my house the whole weekend just to be on my elliptical and exercise bike the whole time. I have NO social life because that is time I could/should be exercising and I am anxious that when I'm not exercising, I'm gaining weight.

Answer 8

I don't think there enuf black girls with eating disorders for the news to talk about it. There are very very very few in this world. I don't know why, but it just is like that...

Answer 9

I'm black and yes black women/girls suffer from a eating disorder. It only happens when we are really poor and can't afford food for the week. We become anorexia but not on purpose. I have never heard of a black woman/girl being bulimia.

We also have another eating disorder...'Diabetes..'type1 and 2, and that come from over eating

Answer 10

I'm the opposite. Many black women like myself suffer from overeating.