The pop-culture look of ultra-thin bodies may finally be going out of style.
According to BBC News the weight debate began when Madrid fashion week announced a ban on runway models with a BMI - a calculation based on height and weight - of less than 18.
The concern for this may have been prompted by the death of a 22-year-old Uruguayan model who collapsed after a catwalk show. Now, several modeling agencies are considering implementing the ban. This is the first positive indication of a shift away from the super-skinny standards that have been dominating the media for decades.
Regardless of the outcome of the new modeling debate, the issue has brought more awareness to eating disorders, particularly among young impressionable women.
While people seem quick to notice overweight individuals and criticize their lifestyles and bodies, few people seem concerned over the growing number of underweight college students with distorted body images.
According to the VirginiaTech Web site, an estimated one out of 20 college-age women have an eating disorder such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia.
While ultra-thin women in magazines or on television may project an image of sexiness and success, the realities of having an eating disorder are anything but glamorous.
The National Mental Health Information Center defines eating disorders as long-term illnesses that require long-term treatment and are often accompanied by other mental disorders such as depression, substance abuse and anxiety disorders.
Signs and symptoms of anorexia nervosa include extreme weight loss, unusual eating habits such as regularly obsessing about portions of food or calorie intake, guilty feelings for eating and excessive exercise.
Signs and symptoms of bulimia are usually defined by eating excessive amounts in one sitting and then purging the food.
If you know someone who shows signs of having an eating disorder you should be seriously concerned, especially if they claim to just be going through a phase. Eating disorders are not temporary and cannot be treated without the help of professionals.
According to Womenshealth.gov short-term complications of anorexia nervosa include anemia, brittle hair and nails, dry skin, lowered pulse rate and cold intolerance. Individuals with anorexia nervosa also suffer long-term consequences throughout their lives, regardless of treatment. There is always a risk of reoccurrence and the effects of malnutrition may eventually cause heart failure.
An estimated one in 10 women afflicted with anorexia will die of starvation, cardiac arrest or other medical complications.
People suffering from bulimia experience a loss of potassium, inflammation of the esophagus and an erosion of tooth enamel.
For those who are convinced being super-thin is a desirable or normal body type, check out these statistics from Healthyplace.org: A young woman between the ages of 18-34 has a seven percent chance of being as slim as a catwalk model and only a one percent chance of being as thin as a super model.
If you do not fall into the extremely rare category of being ultra-thin, yet strongly believe you should take action to be so, you probably have a mental illness or distorted body image and should seek help.
If you know someone who needs help, don't ignore it. Tell a coach or a teacher or try to talk to them about it and get him or her to seek help. Eating disorders are a real concern, and real friends should be concerned and asking questions.
Images, however, are not real and are never worth risking your life for.
July Lam is a senior journalism major and writes 'Stick That In Your Pipe and Smoke It' for the Daily News. Her views do not necessarily agree with those of the newspaper.
Write to July at jrlam@bsu.edu.
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