Bulimia Nervosa In Popular Media

A dangerous, yet hidden, epidemic is taking place in America. Affecting more than 1.5% of women in their lifetime, this silent killer will be the end for 3.9% of sufferers—adding up to a total of 73,651 preventable deaths (). Those suffering will misuse laxatives, over exercise, and, in extreme cases, self-induce vomiting to “purge” calories after consuming copious amounts of food. The name of this disorder is bulimia nervosa. Bulimia is one of the most common eating disorders in American society; however, it is often overlooked or mocked. Sufferers receive labels like disgusting, wasteful, and gluttonous. come to view their illness as nothing more than a witticism. This hyper-stigmatization of bulimia nervosa in the media and in the eating

Rather than addressing the sensitive topic with sincerity and consideration, many choose to mock bulimics by figuratively (and sometimes literally) sticking their fingers down their throat. These jokes are usually targeted at characters who are abnormally skinny despite their calorific intake or are average to overweight and on a diet. For example, in episode 14, season 3, of Family Guy, a cartoon spoof of reality TV, the youngest son, Stewie, is portrayed looking into a mirror and observing his physical attributes. The silence is filled by degrading self-commentary such as how he “will never become a cheerleader” due to his weight. This is then followed by a shot of Stewie standing over a toilet, sticking his hand down his throat and vomiting. This joke, executed in a highly insensitive manner, makes light of bulimia and insinuates it stems from superficial, middle-class events, such as becoming a cheerleader or wanting to lose weight for aesthetic purposes. Not only does it perpetuate generalizations, it wrongfully assumes that bulimia is a choice rather than a mental illness. In some instances, regarding actual reality TV and talk shows, celebrities will join in on making light of

Hosts debated whether it was “better to be anorexic or bulimic” (People). Michelle Collins, a guest on the show and an American comedian, even went as far as asking the audience to vote, adding that, in her opinion, bulimia is better since “you get to enjoy the meal.” Moreover, when two members of the audience agreed, Collins casually said, “We have two bulimics here.” Though many may view this to be in jest, or of little significance, normalizing and debating the dangers of mental illness can have a lasting impact on viewers of the show. Those at risk for developing bulimia nervosa may think it’s safer than anorexia. When viewers went to twitter to discuss their concerns pertaining to the nonchalant discussion of eating disorders, citing that making light of such a topic lessens the dangers associated with it, the hosts’ response was, “We understand bulimia is a serious illness … [we’re] just trying to have some fun over here.” Though they eventually issued an apology, their statements prove that they do not truly understand the danger of bulimia or the risk attached to their