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Apr 20, 2012
Bubble Note #71
Spiritual Hunger: Evaluating Eating Disorders in Females in North America
AS400
Hyphenated Theology Paper
Beth Friesen
April 18, 2012
Spiritual
Hunger: Evaluating Eating Disorders in Females in North America
A petite
college student reaches for a low-fat fruit smoothie from the selection at a
gas station. A middle-aged woman pauses while folding laundry to watch a
Weight-Watchers commercial promote a new slimming technique. A twelve-year-old
girl sighs as the size large Forever21® t-shirt is too small. Not so subtle echoes
defining beauty subconsciously creep into the minds of women around North
America. “While the average woman in the United States is 5’ 4” and 144 pounds,
the average female model in this society is 5’ 10” and weighs 111 pounds.”[1] Whether dealing with anorexia nervosa, bulemia nervosa, obsessive
eating disorder or other self-perception disorders, it is the responsibility of
the Church body to nurture, care and remain non-judgemental to women struggling
with eating disorders. This is a critical modern issue as “up to 24 million
people of all ages and genders suffer from an eating disorder in the U.S.”[2] The key to breaking the
bonds of eating disorders is eliminating secrecy, loving in relationship and
overcoming shame. These restraints are broken through the Divine intervention- empowering
women to identify their worth in Christ, and their freedom through grace.
Eating Disorders
Who does an
eating disorder affect? Is the demographic restricted to the celebrities we
scorn upon admittance to a hospital? Does an eating disorder breach social
boundaries; torturing individuals from innocent junior high girls to postpartum
mothers to grandmothers fretting over the bulge emerging from their slacks? As
“approximately 90-95% of anorexia nervosa sufferers are girls and women”[3],
this paper will specifically deal with eating disorders in females within the
middle class in North America.
Eating disorders can vary from the well known anorexia nervosa
(self-starvation) to the lesser known diabulimia (giving oneself less insulin
than necessary for weight loss). An eating disorder is a food co-dependency,
whether through avoidance or indulgence. Although there are many subcategories
of eating disorders, my paper will speak in relation to the three most
prominent eating disorders: anorexia nervosa, bulimia and compulsive
overeating.
Anorexia
nervosa is defined as, “a serious, potentially life-threatening eating disorder
characterized by self-starvation and excessive weight loss”[4]
and is diagnosed upon four factors: “not maintaining weight at or above a
minimally normal weight for age and gender, fear of gaining weight, denial of
the seriousness of current low body weight and amenorrhea[5]
for at least three consecutive menstrual cycles.”[6]
Bulimia
nervosa is, “a serious, potentially life-threatening eating disorder
characterized by a cycle of bingeing and compensatory behaviours such as
self-induced vomiting designed to undo or compensate for the effects of binge
eating.”[7]
Bulimia is becoming more prominent as, “the incidence of bulimia in 10-39 year
old women tripled between 1988 and 1993.”[8]
Compulsive
overeating disorder (COD) is a lesser known eating disorder and is often linked
to past trauma. The physical appearance of an individual dealing with
compulsive eating disorder may be an obese or large individual, not the
stereotypical skinny, white girl. “We concentrate, instead, on the subconscious
causes of this obsessive behaviour. We define compulsive overeaters as people
who are eating to satisfy emotional hungers, hungers of which they may or may
not be aware.”[9]
The compulsive overeater may or may not identify their issues, or may be in
denial of what is actually happening.
Whether acknowledged or not, they tend to put themselves into an
addictive cycle: eat, experience guilt, compensate by eating more, guilt etc. [10]
Women who may have three out of the four symptoms may be diagnosed with EDNOS-
Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified. EDNOS is still
dangerous and in need of treatment.
Why care?
In a dark
narrow bathroom, a fifteen-year-old girl knelt before the toilet. She laid her
head down on her arms and cried quietly—
careful that no one should hear. Fear ripped through her as she fought with the
lies that plagued her mind. The words ‘worthless’, ‘beauty’ and ‘significant’
seemed to be at war within her soul. That young girl was me. Less than six
years ago I found myself deciding whether to convert my anorexia into bulimia,
knowing that if I did there would be no turning back. I had been starving
myself for multiple months. Unable and unwilling to label it as an eating
disorder, I continued to strive for what I believed would give me worth. God
asked me in that moment to choose— Him,
or this obsession. The tears became uncontrollable as the spiritual battle came
to a climax. “I choose you.” I whispered. No one could hear, and no one would
know for some time; but God had won. Unfortunately, this battle had not ended,
and I still struggle to maintain mental, spiritual and physical health in
relation to eating disorders, but I have begun the process of understanding my
worth and identity in Christ.
The question
‘why care?’ seems rhetorical to me. Should not every woman understand and enjoy
the message Psalm 139:14 brings, “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my
soul knows it very well”? I was terrified for months to inform anyone of what
was going on, scared that they would force me to eat, and make me an object
that no one would ever love.
Congregations in North America tend
to avoid that which they do not know how to respond to. Recently, some churches
have begun to address eating disorders, and I congratulate and thank those who
have personally invested in seeing lives transformed and renewed. But what
about you, the individual, the main component of the body? Do you know someone
who struggles with an eating disorder? I can guarantee you do, for if you did
not previously, you now know me. How do we respond to the women who experience
daily pain over the material substance that is nonchalantly devoured by others?
Is our theology so applicable that any suffering individual may run to us for
guidance and comfort? May God grant us wisdom as we discern how to respond to
the wounded.
More Than Food
Although
women have struggled with body image since the beginning of time[11],
there are clinically diagnosed triggers. In The Compulsive Behaviours
America Applauds, psychologists point out ten cyclical factors that
stimulate and encourage an eating disorder pattern. The pattern is as follows:
The first trigger of the cycle
can be attributed to either a family issue, or a major life trauma. The family
issue according to this author can be an under-achieving family, over-achieving
family, addictive family or a preoccupied family. Major life trauma may not be
a setback, but instead an event that causes long-lasting implications. Examples may be a major move, divorce, a
medical condition or emotional wound.
Any of these, combined with other factors can contribute to an addictive
cycle of eating disorders.
The second
and possibly most influential factor in initiating the pattern is negative
messages. It comes as no surprise to hear that “most fashion models are thinner
than 98% of American women.”[13]
We would be blind and ignorant to say that media and society does not form our
picture of beauty. Girls from a very young age are being bombarded with images
of what it culturally means to be ‘ideal’. This image is unrealistic. While
girls should be playing and dreaming of changing the world, statistics show
that “42% of first to third grade girls want to be thinner.”[14]
Social network sites have seen the spread of ‘pro-ana’ forums, a forum for promoting
eating disorder (specifically anorexia nervosa) discussion in order to
encourage women to continue their pursuit of the ultimate thinness. These
forums are guarded against “wannarexics” i.e. individuals who desire to be thin
but do not fit the criteria of an unadulterated anorexic.
Whether the
cause ranges from self-hatred to denial, psychologists agree that eating
disorders are a defence mechanism for greater pain. Some books and sources
provide a rationale for why individuals deal with an eating disorder, though no
rationale is comprehensive and applicable to all.. Secular and Christian
professionals alike agree that eating disorders stem from a greater issue,
whether that is emotional, spiritual or psychological. As one friend expressed, “I was a people-pleaser,
and to please them I needed to bend to what they expected, which is what in my
perfectionism I perceived as a certain body image.” Food can be seen as the one
object that can be controlled when everything else seems uncontrollable. I will
not go into detail about what these issues may be as the list is extensive and
complex. Ironically, instead of being liberated, women with eating disorders
are held captive under the control of food.
Genetic studies show that although there are certain GABA genes that
make an individual more prone to anxiety, there is not one gene that makes an
individual predisposed to an eating disorder.[15]
Although the body itself may not contain a specific eating disorder gene, it
has been proven that girls with certain personality traits will be more likely
to develop an eating disorder. Some of these traits are “anxiety, inhibition,
obsessionality, and perfectionism.”[16] Unlike other disorders, there are no
prominent outspoken evangelicals stating that eating disorders are a result of
sin or unforgiveness. This may be because it has not been fully addressed in
the Church. Emily Wierenga, anorexia survivor and author of upcoming book Chasing
Silhouettes: How to Help a Loved One Battling an Eating Disorder, responded to
the question, “What does society not understand about eating disorders?” with
“...they are [a] mental and spiritual disease, and that, once a person is far
enough into it, it will, in fact, take a divine intervention to make them
desire healing.”[17]
How did we
begin to portray such a distorted image of beauty that women are willing to
destroy themselves in order to feel loved? Emily Wierenga, speaking from her
own experience with anorexia states, “The reason I wanted to look thinner
wasn’t because I thought I was fat. It was because I thought I wasn’t
beautiful, and for some reason, I knew society thought thin was beauty.”
Responding from a Christian Perspective
“You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. You shall no more be termed Forsaken, and your land shall no more
be termed Desolate, but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her...” (Isaiah 62:3-4a) Isaiah
is speaking of Jerusalem, the bride of Christ. This verse has been foundational
in my own recovery process. It represents the redemption of the bride, who
because of a great sacrifice is no longer exclusive to Jerusalem, but me as
well. Within eating disorders, girls and women alike struggle with deep issues,
crises that stem from control and fear. We control because we do not understand
that we will be accepted and loved for who we are. Not for what we do, or look
like, or can say, but because we were created in the image of the Divine Being.
Freedom can only come through an understanding of forgiveness in Christ.
Repentance is crucial. Until the individual recognizes her own inadequacy and
surrenders that control to Christ alone, she will be stuck in a vicious cycle
of self-pity/pride, and destruction. When Jesus asks Peter in John 21 whether
he loves Him or not, Jesus asks Peter to demonstrate his love to Him through
his actions. If we claim to love Him in the same way, we must demonstrate our
love to Him through our actions; both for the Christian with an eating disorder
with repentance and the Christian approaching an individual with an eating disorder
with grace. Jesus’ love is incarnated through the grace that His people extend.
St. John of
the Cross once said, "The soul that
is alone...is like the burning coal that is alone. It will grow colder rather
than hotter."[18] “It is not good that
the man should be alone,”[19]
states God. “Two are better than one, because they have a good
reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is
alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!” says the
Preacher in Ecclesiastes 4:9-10. We
recognize that intentional relationship is essential to life and health, but
how do we regard those in our midst that are wounded? The first step is
confessing that we are all wounded. How then do we live together as a flawed
community in a constant state of disrepair?
The key, according to Henri Nouwen is forgiveness and celebration, “In community
comes that mutual vulnerability in which we forgive each other and celebrate
each other's gifts.”[20]
Am I able, as a flawed, wounded Christ-follower, to enter into relationship
with other wounded individuals and forgive them, be forgiven and celebrate the
success and grace we find in Christ Jesus?
And thus
begins the journey of healing for anyone dealing with an eating disorder. If we
are able to not only see their pain but enter into their pain with them, then
the Holy Spirit can work through us to create a change that is greater than
food. It’s not about having all the answers, or being a trained counsellor, but
demonstrating love. “A new
commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are
to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my
disciples, if you have love for one another.”[21] As stated before, the
issue is rarely the food, but a deeper issue; a spiritual hunger. “Where
there is God’s love and wisdom, there is no room for fear, or for ignorance. …
Where there is mercy in discerning the faults of another, there is neither
allowance for destructive excesses, nor an ungiving hard heartedness toward
those who fail.”[22]
We, the
Church, have historically shied away from difficult issues because of a fear of
how to respond. Rape, transgender, prostitution, miscarriages, abortion and
cutting are just a few of the subjects that, when presented within the Church
context, tend to have the congregation running from, not to, the individuals
involved. Condemning perhaps, but also a personal reality. Our natural
instincts lead us to our own place of comfort. Leaving this comfort zone
requires courage, vulnerability and an ability to be approached with our own
misperceptions and faults. Humility sucks. But “there is healing in being known
in... vulnerability and impatience and weakness”.[23]
The process
of healing may begin once we are able to approach those affected by eating
disorders with a spirit of transparency, desiring to understand their struggles
and not denying our own. “Eating disorders are strengthened by secrecy.
Churches must foster an atmosphere of honesty, openness, and prayer for all
those struggling.”[24] This
may seem invasive as our Western culture values an individual’s ultimate
privacy. Unfortunately this same privacy also encourages inappropriate behaviours,
disorders and addictions. In the same way, “eating disorders can also seem more
‘acceptable’ than alcohol, drugs, or sexual addictions.”[25]
Personal discussions with several victims of eating disorders have revealed
that the Church has failed to address this issue with them and within the
congregation. Once this secrecy and ignorance is broken, shame and guilt are
able to be overcome though freedom and grace when approached in truth and love.
I would like to propose several ways that congregations can help in addressing
eating disorders.
The
first stage in addressing eating disorders in the Church is awareness. This can
prevent the beginning of the cycle (as shown on page 5) altogether. Knowledge
and wisdom have the ability to enlighten a group to action. Psalm 119:66 says,
“Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments.”
Descriptions, seminars and information sessions should be given to teenagers
and parents alike on the topics of anorexia, bulimia and compulsive eating
disorder. The Church should be involved with minors to the extent that they inform
and work with parents, equipping them to make informed decisions and become an
active positive influence in their children’s lives. Youth should also be
informed about possible eating disorders, but done so in collaboration with
parents. Parents should be made aware of the influence that media has on this
digital generation, and be given pamphlets on the signs and symptoms of eating
disorders. A counterindication could be that it would initially create a
dramatic obsession or fear with the topic, and parents may perceive their child
to be in greater danger than they actually are. This is no excuse to avoid the
topic altogether. As stated earlier, eating disorders are most often a
portrayal of an internal battle; therefore it is important to distinguish between
a purely comfort food dependency and a psychological/spiritual wounding. The
emotional needs of an adolescent must be met in order to overcome an eating
disorder. Helping an adolescent understand that they are loved and valued will
empower them to recognize that they cannot answer internal questions simply by
controlling their external environment. Although parents or guardians may not
be able to control circumstances in life (often the initial trigger in the
cycle) they can love and nurture a child through what is often the catalyst to
an advancing eating disorder.
Negative
messages are the greatest influence in the development of eating
disorders. “Anorexia nervosa typically
appears in early to mid-adolescence.”[26]
The greatest responsibility of the Church is not objective information, but a
subjective influence in the lives of those affected. Early to mid-adolescence
may be the time period in which a girl is most easily influenced. If you think
back to your own life, you will most likely recall significant people and/or
events that took place that determined who you are today. “Although adolescents
(those aged 13 to 19 years) are striving to gain independence, the family
retains a potential influence on the physical and social environment in which
an adolescent lives. Autonomy from parents seems to increase...from grade five
to grade eight; however, emotional detachment from parents doesn't necessarily
occur during this developmental period.
The family therefore has an opportunity to influence adolescent[s]...”[27]
Within this the family is given large responsibility. Ephesians 6:4 evokes the
responsibility of the family in informing their children. “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of
the Lord.” Parental comments can trigger insecurities which lead to an eating
disorder. Knowing this, how is worth and value being communicated? Are
the parents/guardians empowering the girl to understand her beauty in God? Even
though anorexia typically presents itself during earlier years, it can affect
older women who do not have a history with eating disorders. Not only should
parents be the only encouragers and instigators of positive messages, but also
those surrounding the individual. The more reinforcement the most understanding
there will be. One can only ignore a repeated message for so long. Once it has
been recognized, it is the responsibility of the individual to approach the
wounded with truth and grace. Ephesians
5:21 says, “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”
Entering into relationship with an individual who has confessed to have
an eating disorder can be intimidating. You may have fears of not knowing what
to say, how you can help, should you offer them food, should you hide your
cookbooks? Keep in mind that, “Recovery from an eating disorder has very little
to do with food.”[28]
Remember that eating disorders result from an internal desire to be loved and
accepted, and is manifesting itself in the only known way of comfort and
control. This woman does not need a dieting book. Society
provides a basketful of rules, but is lacking in grace. “Without exception, all addictions are based on shame.”[29]
It is guaranteed that any woman dealing with an eating disorder feels an
immense amount of shame and guilt. This I am speaking from personal experience
as well as research. My greatest fear was that if my eating disorder became
known, I would be rejected because I would be seen as flawed and incomplete.
Reality is that we are all flawed and incomplete. A deep craving for authentic
fellowship cries from every soul. Encouraging, complimenting, and spending time
with a woman are simple ways of demonstrating respect and love for her.[30]
In the words of Christian music artist
JJ Heller, “Will you love me for me? Not for what I have done or what I will
become.”[31]
To overcome shame and guilt, a woman must understand her worth and value, and
the price that has already been paid.
The last
duty of the Church is to realize that there are situations when professional
help is necessary. “Food addictions are
especially tricky to treat…overcoming food addictions involves learning how to
live with food, not to live without it.”[32] When the
eating disorder has become a serious health hazard, or if the situation has
progressed for some time, it may be necessary to attend a support group,
professional counselling or a rehab centre.
Eating disorders, if not
treated, are deadly. “Anorexia nervosa has the highest mortality rate of
any psychiatric illness – it is estimated that 10% of individuals with anorexia
nervosa will die within 10 years of the onset of the disorder.”[33] Remuda Ranch,
Canopy Cove and Mercy Ministries are some examples of Christian rehab centres
that are known for their Christ-centred treatment and relationship-based
programs. During these times, our best support is to pray. James 5:16 says, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so
that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and
effective.”
“The discipline of community makes us persons; that is, people who are… [communicating]…to
each other a truth, beauty, and a love which is greater, fuller, and richer
than we ourselves can grasp. In true community we are windows constantly
offering each other new views on the mystery of God's presence in our lives.” It is
important to recognize that healing is a process, no result will come quickly.
If we view an individual as a product, or broken they will feel victimized and
treated as such.
Some of us tend to do away with things that are slightly damaged. Instead of repairing them we say,
Some of us tend to do away with things that are slightly damaged. Instead of repairing them we say,
Well, I
don't have time to fix it, I might as well throw it in the garbage can and buy
a new one." Often we also treat people this way. We say, "Well he has
a problem with drinking; well, she is quite depressed; well, they have
mismanaged their business we'd better not take the risk of getting involved
with them." When we dismiss people out of hand because of their apparent
woundedness, we stunt their lives by ignoring their gifts, which are often
buried in their wounds. We are all bruised reeds, whether our bruises are
visible or not. The compassionate life is the life in which we believe that
strength is hidden in weakness and that true community is a fellowship of the
weak.[34]
Recognizing
value and beauty that is more than the physical person is fundamental to the
prevention, recognition and healing of eating disorders. Through eliminating
secrecy, loving in community and overcoming shame the Church can begin the
process in becoming a major stepping stone to overcoming one of the issues that
consumes our culture. We have the opportunity to extend grace and acceptance to
a wounded population. My desire is that every woman will be able to read Psalm
51:5-9 and claim it as her own:
Behold, I was brought
forth in iniquity,
And in sin my mother conceived me.
Behold, You desire truth
in the innermost being,
And in the hidden part You will make
me know wisdom.
Purify me with
hyssop, and I shall be clean;
Wash me, and I shall be whiter
than snow.
Make me to hear joy
and gladness,
Let the bones which
You have broken rejoice.
Hide Your face from my sins
And blot out all my iniquities.
Works Cited
Galanter,
Cathryn A. and Jensen, Peter S. DSM-IV-TR
Casebook and Treatment Guide for Child Mental Health. Washington, DC:
American Psychiatry Publishing Inc, 2009.
Hart,
Archibald D. Healing Life’s Hidden
Addictions. Ann Arbor: Servant Publications, 1990.
Hemfelt
Robert, Minirth, Frank and Meier, Paul. We
Are Driven. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1991.
Jantz,
Gregory L. Hope, Help and Healing for
Eating Disorders. Colorado: Waterbrook Press, 2010.
Lelwica,
Michelle Mary. Starving for Salvation.
New York: Oxford University Press, 1999.
Minirth,
Frank. Love Hunger. Nashville: Thomas
Nelson, 1990.
National
Eating Disorders Association. “Anorexia Nervosa.” Accessed April 2, 2012.
http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/nedaDir/files/documents/handouts/Anorexia.pdf
National
Eating Disorders Association. “Bulimia Nervosa.” Accessed April 2, 2012.
http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/nedaDir/files/documents/handouts/Bulimia.pdf
National
Eating Disorders Association. “NEDA Research Corner.” Accessed April 2, 2012.
http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/uploads/file/Role%20of%20GABA%20Receptor%20SNPs.pdf
National
Eating Disorders Association. “Statistics.” Accessed April 2, 2012.
Http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/uploads/file/Statistics%20%20Updated%20Feb%2010,%202008%20B.pdf
Nouwen,
Henri. “Moving from Solitude to Community to Ministry.” Accessed April 7, 2012.
http://entermission.typepa.com/my_weblog/files/moving_from_solitude_to_community_to_ministry_henri_nouwen.pdf
Nouwen,
Henri. Bread for the Journey. San
Fransisco: Harper SanFrancisco, 1997.
St. Francis
of Assisis found in Corné J. Bekker, Growing
in Community. Virginia Beach: Regent University, n.d.
St. John of
the Cross found in Corné J. Bekker, Growing
in Community. Virginia Beach: Regent University, n.d.
Sullivan, P. “Course and outcome of anorexia nervosa and
bulimia nervosa.” Eating Disorders
and Obesity (2002): 226-232
The Renfrew Center
Foundation for Eating Disorders, "Eating Disorders 101 Guide: A Summary of
Issues, Statistics and Resources," published September 2002, revised
October 2003, http://www.renfrew.org.
Woodruff,
SJ, and RM Hanning. "A review of family meal influence on adolescents'
dietary intake." Accessed April 7,
2012.Canadian Journal Of Dietetic Practice & Research 69, no. 1 (March
2008): 14-22. EBSCOhost
[2] The Renfrew Center Foundation for Eating Disorders, “Eating Disorders
101 Guide: A Summary of Issues, Statistics and Resources,”, 1
[3] “Anorexia Nervosa,” National Eating Disorders
Association, accessed April 1, 2012, http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/nedaDir/files/documents/handouts/Anorexia.pdf
[6] Cathryn A.
Galanter and Peter S. Jensen, DSM-IV-TR Casebook and Treatment Guide for Child
Mental Health (Washington, DC: American
Psychiatry Publishing Inc, 2009), 148
[7] “Bulimia
Nervosa,” National Eating Disorders Association, accessed April 2, 2012,
http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/nedaDir/files/documents/handouts/Bulimia.pdf
[8]
“Statistics,” National Eating Disorders Association, accessed April 3,
2012,
http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/uploads/file/Statistics%20%20Updated%20Feb%2010,%202008%20B.pdf
[11] As seen in
Gen 3:10
[12] Dr. Robert Hemfelt, Dr. Frank Minirth and Dr. Paul
Meier, We Are Driven (Nashville: Thomas Nelson,
1991), 116.
[13] National Eating Disorders Association
“Statistics”
[15] Gamma-Amino Butyric acid -An amino acid in the
brain which acts as a neurotransmitter; the rearrangement of single-nucleotide
polymorphisms (SNP’s) within GAMA genes can cause higher anxiety, though study
of women with and without eating disorders showed no conclusive reoccurring
combination of SNP’s.
[16] “NEDA
Research Corner,” National Eating Disorders Association, accessed April 3,
2012,
http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/uploads/file/Role%20of%20GABA%20Receptor%20SNPs.pdf
[17] Emily
Wierenga, Email correspondence, “Interview Questions” March 11, 2012
[18] Quotation
attributed to St. John of the Cross found in Corné
J. Bekker, “Growing in Community” (powerpoint presentation presented at the
Center for Student Development, Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA)
[19] Genesis
2:18
[20] “Moving from Solitude to Community to Ministry”, Henri Nouwen, accessed
April 7, 2012,
http://entermission.typepad.com/my_weblog/files/moving_from_solitude_to_community_to_ministry_henri_nouwen.pdf
[21] John 13:34
[22] St. Francis
of Assisi, “Growing in Community”
[23] Nouwen,
Moving from Solitude…
[24] Gregory L.
Jantz, Hope, Help and Healing for Eating Disorders (Colorado: Waterbrook Press,
2010), 246
[25] Ibid.
[27] Woodruff,
SJ, and RM Hanning. 2008. "A review of family meal influence on
adolescents' dietary intake."
Canadian Journal Of Dietetic Practice & Research 69, no. 1: 14-22.
EBSCOhost (accessed April 7, 2012).
[30] I would personally caution others about complimenting a woman on her
weight or size if you know she is struggling with an eating disorder. These
comments can enforce inappropriate behaviours and cause her to believe that she
is loved/valued because of her psychical appearance. Positive compliments could
be more general such as “You look really nice today.” Or “That colour looks
good on you.”
[31] JJ Heller, Love Me
[32]
Dr. Archibald D. Hart, Healing Life’s Hidden Addictions
(Ann Arbor: Servant Publications, 1990), 206.
[33]
P. Sullivan, “Course and outcome of anorexia
nervosa and bulimia nervosa.” Eating Disorders and Obesity (2009):
226-232
[34] Henri
Nouwen, Bread for the Journey (San
Fransisco: Harper SanFrancisco, 1997)
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