I think it’s really important and good that people with influences as big as Shane Dawson’s are talking about this. Eating Disorders are so prevalent in society today, but they have begun to be normalized by diet culture and the wellness diet. Eating disorders do not have to look a certain way and neither do the people that have them. Different behaviors affect people differently. Restriction does not always lead to becoming thin or emaciated.
A point that is touched on in Shane’s video that I didn’t think to touch on in this video was how comments about our bodies really affect us. The comments Eugenia got before coming forward are unfathomably hateful, but even comments like “eat a burger” are not only harmful but paint an inaccurate picture of what recovery looks like. You cannot know the details of someone’s diet by just looking at them. Managing our body size is more complicated than the calories you consume, as I touch on in my latest vocal article. If you are not a person’s doctor or close friend, you shouldn’t be commenting on people’s size or assumed health, especially in a hateful way.
Also, you should never tear down someone’s looks in an attempt to boost your own. Having “curves” doesn’t make you a “real” woman, not tearing down others to build yourself up does. I want to be clear here that, although women are often at the center of eating disorder discourse, this problem affects people of all genders.
I’ve gone a little off track here. The moral of the story is: check out my latest video, where I continue to discuss all of these topics. Also, don’t forget to check out my article that touches on similar topics as well.
National Mental Health Crisis Hotline: 1-800-784-8433
National Eating Disorder Hotline: 1-800-931-2237
For crisis situations, text “NEDA” to 741741 to be connected with a trained volunteer at Crisis Text Line.
For eating disorder help and resources visit here: https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/
Kate Chessy 