People are not taking the problem of eating disorders seriously.

In 2002, there were about 57 deaths from eating disorders in Maine. The normal food intake for teenagers is 2,000 to 3,000 calories a day. The mortality rate for eating disorders was reported to be about six percent. Anorexia and bulimia are two common eating disorders.

An estimated 78 percent of adolescent girls wish to lose weight because they believe that they are overweight. Eating disorders can start as young as eight to 11 years old.

People with eating disorders need to feel accepted. The one reason these people have eating disorders is because they might have been abused either mentally, sexually or physically as children and need to feel in control with at least one area in their life.

I want people to understand. Learning or knowing about eating disorders is important. Eating disorders are harmful, and there are a lot of things we can do to prevent them. I want people to make sure that teens do not have eating disorders. Our community and parents need to know about the facts of eating disorders.

Nicole Gormley

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