By Tim Ayers
Associate Editor

Last week, the Bates Eating Awareness Association (BEAA) hosted their annual Eating Awareness Week on campus. The Awareness Week consisted of a series of lectures, discussions, and other events open to the entire campus.

The events began on Tuesday with a lecture titled “BE (AA) Aware of Your Stress Level,” as well as a relaxed dinner at Frye Street Union and free massages at the Women’s Resource Center. On Wednesday, a slide show and lecture titled “The Naked Truth: Advertising’s Image of Women” in Olin Concert Hall informed those in attendance about “the relationship of media images to actual problems in society, such as violence, abuse of children, rape and sexual harassment, censorship, teenage pregnancy, addiction, and eating disorders.” On Thursday, a lecture was presented, titled “How to Help a Friend with An Eating Disorder,” and on Friday, BEAA posted hints around Chase Hall and in the Bates Daily about how to live healthier and happier based on your current appearance. Finally, the events wrapped up on Monday with a discussion about “How to Eat for Your Activity Level,” describing how people of any activity level can maintain a healthy diet.

Psychotherapist Adelaide Trafton gave the lecture titled “How to Help a Friend with An Eating Disorder” at the Health Center on Thursday. It focused on educating the audience on eating disorders, their symptoms, and how to help someone with one.

Trafton began by describing eating disorders, calling them “complicated,” and saying that “food is the vehicle of expression for someone who is feeling sad, unattached,
unhappy and depressed.” She said that people suffering from an eating disorder often find it hard to feel compassion for themselves, and those who suffer from eating disorders tend to be “bright, perceptive, intuitive” people. Trafton also revealed that eating disorders are more common in the Western world.

The next part of the talk focused on how hard it is for someone with an eating disorder to face the fact. People are often secretive about their problem, and this “secrecy around eating disorders is incredibly intense.” In fact, the condition can continue for years, and Trafton said people have actually said to her, “My eating disorder has been my best friend. It’s been my survival.” There are many symptoms of an eating disorder that those close to someone suffering can notice, including depression, irritability, irregular eating habits, and a higher awareness of other’s eating habits.

Finally, Trafton covered how a friend can help someone if they suspect an eating disorder. She warned that those with eating disorders can “outwit” those trying to help them, and the best approach is to educate oneself eating disorders before approaching the subject. When talking to the person, let him or her know about “things that you see and that you noticed,” and if they get angry, “reaffirm your care for them and leave it.” Finally, if the situation does not change, the best decision may be to notify the health center.

She concluded by saying, “the experience of an eating disorder never leaves, you never forget it.”


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