You Are What You Eat, Right?

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

*Warning..I’m having one of these ‘WHOA, LIFE’ moments and had to share*
You know I LOVE Discussions so CHIME in—if you can!

Has anyone seen this documentary on HBO called THIN?

It was about Eating disorders and followed patients at a residential facility. As I watched this show, I felt so much empathy for these females—ages ranged from 15 to 30. I did not realize how consuming eating disorders could be. I know many females dealt with them (I know I have) but some of these patients were extreme. One patient had a feeding tube from her stomach for 6 years because she was an anorexic—then starting purging via the feeding tube to get rid of the little food she did consume.

This is an epidemic—literally consumes one’s life. One diva said her childhood consisted of calorie-counting and measured meals. No mention of Christmas mornings, Prom stories, first dates, etc.—but memories of hiding food and purging. ‘WHOA Life moment’.

The 15 year old broke my heart. She had been dealing with bulimia since age 8. Age 8!!!

Whoa. I really liked the residential facility that was featured in this documentary. They had a team of doctors, nutritionists, etc. and they focused on the community and support.

I’ve never spent any time in a residential facility but I can only imagine the experience. At first, I’m sure it was hard but then one adjusted—like these girls had adjusted—and formed bonds and friendships…then one had to leave. LEAVE. What a shock and reality check for them.

Every girl featured continued to lose ‘weight’ and dealt with the eating disorders. One girl attempted suicide and returned to the residential program.

It was an eye-opening piece that I feel should be shared with our young people. When I went to the site—I read about the educational resources that had been created to accompany the film. KUDOS to the filmmaker.


About THIN documentary:
http://www.hbo.com/docs/programs/thin/video.html