I would like to thank the Creightonian staff for its well-written article on eating disorders during National Eating Disorder Awareness Week.

This issue is of particular importance to me, as I have seen many close friends and family members affected by eating disorders, extreme dieting and negative body image, and have struggled with an eating disorder myself.

I believe it is crucial to disseminate accurate knowledge and generate conversation surrounding this important topic if we hope to reverse the increasing number of men and women suffering from eating disorders.

The media is an important vehicle in bringing key issues to the forefront of public attention and facilitating their discussion.

This is especially true on college campuses, where students comprise a significant proportion of the population affected by mental illnesses and eating disorders, of which many cases remain unreported and consequently, untreated.

Unfortunately, the media has also played a large role in the construction of a culture that glorifies certain body types while rejecting and ridiculing others, affecting what shapes we as a society have come to identify as beautiful or ideal, and causing serious implications for the self-esteem and body image development of individuals.

Lynn Grefe, CEO of National Eating Disorders Association, said in a recent article published by USA Today, “Like eye color and skin color, our body size is largely determined by genetics. Environmental factors –- societal pressures and the unrealistic images of women we are bombarded with in the media –- may pull the trigger, but genetics loads the gun.”

My question for the Creightonian: If the gun is loaded, why are we pulling the trigger?

Despite my gratitude to the Creightonian for heightening awareness and understanding of eating disorders, I am deeply disappointed by your decision to print a glamorized photograph of a thin Caucasian woman — portraying our society’s idyllic feminine figure — in conjunction with an article on eating disorders.

Juxtaposing this photograph with an article clearly stating that eating disorders are associated with low self-esteem and perfectionism, and that they are particularly difficult to treat due to their consistency with an individual’s desired outcome, is thoughtless and insensitive at best.

Printing this photograph above the words, “If You Need Help,” perfectly illustrates one motivation for individuals suffering from eating disorders to remain silent.

The Creightonian article emphasizes that eating disorders are non-discriminatory and prevalent on college campuses.

In turn, I would like to remind the Creightonian that eating disorders affect us, your readers. Please, exercise caution with a loaded gun.

Jennifer Biggs

Arts & Sciences senior